Come to the Cooish & celebrate the Manx language!

Come to the Cooish & celebrate the Manx language!

Thu, 17 Oct 2024

Let’s celebrate Manx Gaelic!

The Cooish Manx language festival will be taking place between Wednesday 6th – Sunday 10th November, and whether you’re brand new to the language, or a seasoned Manx speaker, there’ll be something for you!

The Cooish is a fun and friendly festival which takes place annually, and is organised by the community for the community. This year’s festival features 26 events across the island – many of theme free – from family-friendly games nights, through to cocktail making or sea-swimming in Manx!

According to Ruth Keggin Gell, Manx Language Development Officer for Culture Vannin:

“Absolute beginners can enjoy a range of events, from open classes and workshops, through to song and music nights, and there are events pitched at confident speakers too. Little ones can enjoy an easy Manx songs and rhymes session run by Mini Musicians by Mannin Music, too. The Cooish is a great time to find out more about Manx, and try something new!”

Some events that you might like to pop in your diary include a range of song and language workshops taking place in Peel on Saturday 9th November, exploring Manx Gaelic, and Scottish Gaelic. These will be run by Ruth Keggin Gell – Manx Language Development Officer for Culture Vannin – and Joy Dunlop, a critically acclaimed Scottish Gaelic singer and BBC television presenter. You don’t have to have spoken, or sung in, any Manx or Scottish Gaelic before – just come along!

Joy Dunlop will also be performing as part of the Cooish along with Scottish guitarist Ron Jappy, on Friday 8th November at Peel Centenary Centre. The concert will start at 7.30pm, and will also feature the premiere of a short Manx-language film featuring young Manx speakers, and a performance from community choir Un Choraa, who wowed audiences at the Guild this year. Tickets are available through www.ynchruinnaght.com Ron will be running a range of traditional instrumental workshops on Saturday 9th November while he is on the Island, and Joy and Ron will also be delivering some outreach performances in schools, supported by Soundcheck Charity and Culture Vannin.

One of the meanings of ‘Cooish’ is a cosy chat, and there’ll be plenty of opportunities for having a chat in Manx, or picking up some phrases from a friendly speaker over the course of the festival!

Alongside social events, there are lots of opportunities for learning, and those interested in academic research can also enjoy a lecture in English by Professor Max W. Wheeler about the ‘Manx masterpiece’ Pargeiys Caillit – the Manx retelling of Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost.

Find the full festival programme online at www.learnmanx.com/cooish or keep an eye out for one of the printed programmes in locations around the Island. Many events are free to attend.

Whatever your age and whatever your level of Manx, we would love to see you!

Full programme available to download here:

Cooish 2024 (English language)
Cooish 2024 (Manx Gaelic)