Hundreds join in ‘A Manx Day Out in Laxey’

Thu, 09 Jul 202

Members of the local community, visitors from across the Island and holidaymakers enjoyed a packed programme of Manx language, music, dance and crafts at A Manx Day Out in Laxey on the last weekend in June, as Culture Vannin transformed the village into a celebration of Manx language and culture as part of Blein ny Gaelgey – Year of the Manx Language.

Throughout the day, Laxey’s upper village buzzed with activity as people of all ages experienced the Isle of Man’s unique culture through live performances, hands-on workshops, local food, heritage experiences and opportunities to learn a little Gaelg – Manx along the way.

Tiffany Kerruish, Year of the Manx Language Coordinator at Culture Vannin, said:

“A Manx Day Out was all about celebrating the Manx language and our wider culture with new audiences in a fun, welcoming and accessible way. It was fantastic to see so many people getting involved, whether they were hearing Manx music for the first time, learning a few words of the language or discovering everything Laxey has to offer.

We’re incredibly grateful to Garff Commissioners, local businesses, volunteers and performers who embraced the event and helped create such a warm welcome. The community collaboration across the village made the day something really special.”

Laxey Village Square provided the backdrop for a vibrant programme of entertainment showcasing some of the Island’s finest traditional performers. Laxey-born, internationally acclaimed harpist, Mera Royle, joined Owen Williams and James McNulty to open the day with a selection of traditional Manx tunes. The line-up included Ramsey-based performance group Ny Fennee who delighted audiences with their harp and dance ensemble and audience members, aged from eight to eighty, joined in a lively Manx dance workshop. Elsewhere, the programme featured Manx Gaelic poetry recital, performances by local singer-songwriters, a shanty group and Caarjyn Cooidjagh – Manx Gaelic Choir.

Newly qualified Blue Badge Guide, and fluent Manx speaker, Ealee Sheard led a bilingual Turrys Lakksaa – Tour of Laxey, sharing historic sights and local folklore with an enthusiastic group of participants.

Many people travelled to Laxey aboard the heritage trams from Douglas and Ramsey, arriving in the village ready for a day out where they could fill their Mannin Aboo! passports with sticker-stamps from 16 local traders involved in the scheme.

A visitor from Peel, attending with her young family said:

“Laxey has so much to offer, and the addition of Culture Vannin’s activities made it a brilliant day out for my family. We loved being welcomed with a friendly ‘Moghrey Mie – Good Morning’ when we boarded the Great Laxey Mines Railway. The children really enjoyed collecting stickers for their Mannin Aboo passports from local shops and cafés, and we all had great fun making Manx language crafts together and listening to music in the Square.”

Local businesses played an important role in the celebrations. Brambles Cookery School partnered with Laxey Flour Mill to offer free bonnag-making workshops, supported by Manx speaking volunteer Julie Matthews, who introduced participants to the history of the traditional Manx bread while sharing simple phrases ayns Gaelg – in Manx.

Meanwhile, Laxey Glen Pavilion provided use of its woodland tipi, where Culture Vannin hosted introductory Manx language sessions and a song workshop welcomed complete beginners alongside more experienced Manx learners. The attendees later performed the songs they had learned to appreciative crowds at the Laxey Working Men’s Institute, where an artisan fair and film screenings were taking place throughout the day.

The event was supported by Business Isle of Man’s Domestic Event Fund as part of a wider programme of events delivered by Culture Vannin for Blein ny Gaelgey – Year of the Manx Language.

Following the success of the event, Culture Vannin will bring A Manx Day Out to Douglas and Peel later this year as part of their continuing programme for Blein ny Gaelgey – Year of the Manx Language.

To find out more, visit www.yearofmanx.im or follow @CultureVannin and @LearnManx on social media.