A celebration of Mona Douglas
Tue, 15 Sep 2020
An album of music celebrating the life of one of the Isle of Man’s most important cultural icons has been released by Culture Vannin.
Timed with the 122nd anniversary of her birth and inspired by the folklore collection, music, poetry and life of Mona Douglas RBV (18 September 1898 – 8 October 1987), this collection of new songs was created by a group of Manx musicians who all had some connection to Mona.
The project was the vision of local musician, Dave Mclean, who had been a member of Mona Douglas’ youth group, Aeglagh Vannin, in the 1960s. He brought together the ensemble of singers and instrumentalists who, over several months, created this collection of new songs.
The songs of Mona’s Isle are in Manx and English and vary from traditional to modern in style – some are new settings of her poems, or re-workings of traditional melodies that she had collected in the early 20th century, whilst others are original songs which explore Mona’s fascinating life and philosophy.
The album of 11 songs features musicians Aalin Clague, Alanna Cowley, Annie Kissack, Bob Carswell, Breesha Maddrell, Bruno Cavellec, Chloe Woolley, Clare Kilgallon, Dave Kilgallon, Dave Mclean, Greg Joughin, Mandy Griffin, and archive audio of Mona herself singing a song that she had collected in the 1920s; “Arrane ny Niee”.
The album was first released as a CD in 2017 but it is only now released online for the first time.
Dr Chloe Woolley, Manx Music Development Officer at Culture Vannin says:
“Mona Douglas’ life-time work for Manx culture was so important for the Isle of Man, then and now. She inspired so many, and not least the musicians featuring here. It is wonderful to mark her birthday with releasing this album of music celebrating her life and work, bringing it to the attention of new audiences around the world.”
‘Mona’s Isle – The Legacy of Mona Douglas’ is available from the Culture Vannin website or BandCamp.
Manx Gaelic Summer School
Tue, 12 Mar 2024
March Manx music and dance newsletter
Fri, 01 Mar 2024
Adrian Corkill awarded the RBV for his work on Manx shipwrecks
Fri, 23 Feb 2024
February Manx music and dance newsletter
Thu, 01 Feb 2024
Folklore Guide event
Tue, 09 Jan 2024
Beautiful pictures of an ancient Manx tradition
Wed, 20 Dec 2023
Youth Manx trad session announced
Tue, 19 Dec 2023
Dates and locations for the White Boys, 2023
Mon, 11 Dec 2023
Folklore sites guide published
Wed, 06 Dec 2023
Dates and locations for Hunt the Wren, 2023
Fri, 01 Dec 2023