Jacob O'Sullivan joins the board

Jacob O'Sullivan joins the board

Thu, 24 Apr 2025

Culture Vannin is delighted to welcome Intangible Cultural Heritage expert Jacob O’Sullivan onto its board.

Jacob is recognised internationally as an authority on ‘living heritage’ or Intangible Cultural Heritage, and has a leading role in supporting folk arts and culture in Scotland. He comes with extensive experience working within museums and communities, and is an expert speaker and advisor on culture to UNESCO, EU Presidency, Dutch Culture, Flemish Cultural Heritage, UK and Scottish Governments, and the Museums Association.

Jacob grew up on the Island and has a strong interest in Manx folklore and history, and is currently writing and researching a book about Gerald Gardner’s use of Manx folklore in the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic. He is a keen supporter of Manx culture, including joining Hunt the Wren bands, entering the Tin Bath Championship, and researching ‘unofficial’ placenames. He leads annual tours of Golden Meadow Mill in Castletown for Heritage Open Days and has developed a fundraising plan for this historic watermill.

Commenting on his appointment to the Board of Culture Vannin, Jacob O’Sullivan said:

“It is a real honour to join the board of Culture Vannin. My career in culture and heritage began several years ago in Harry Kelly’s Cottage, Cregneash. Since then, the more I have worked in support of culture in other countries, the more convinced I have become of the uniqueness and significance of Manx culture and heritage, and the central role this can play in social and economic development on the island. I have personally benefited from the work of Culture Vannin for years – from the promotion of original poetry, to the identification of ancient holy wells. I look forward to playing a more active role in support of Culture Vannin, and Manx culture more widely.”

As well as his busy day job as Museum Development Manager with Museums Galleries Scotland, he brings experience of fundraising and working with charities and is a trustee of StAnza, Scotland’s International Poetry Festival.

Caairliagh of Culture Vannin, Chris Thomas MHK, said:

“We welcome Jacob to take up his important voluntary role alongside existing Tynwald, Manx National Heritage and Arts Council representatives, and two other lay Board members. Culture Vannin is always delighted that we have such high calibre candidates who apply for the roles on our Board, none of whom are remunerated by us for their generous contribution to support Manx culture.”

He went on to comment:

“Jacob joins at a particular exciting time for Culture Vannin as we work together to take our culture forward after four decades of development and partnership with the community. We are looking more and more to establish partnerships that can help us to increase our grant awarding capacity. We hope to extend the use of our cultural centre in St John’s and will continue supporting government with its steps towards UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage convention.”

Culture Vannin is proud to initiate, inspire and support a wide range of activities relating to culture in the Isle of Man. Established in 1982, as the Manx Heritage Foundation by Act of Tynwald, the charity is dedicated to supporting and promoting Manx culture through development, education, and grant-giving. Culture Vannin is governed by a voluntary board made up of two political members appointed by Tynwald, three members of the general public (lay members) nominated by Council of Ministers and approved by Tynwald, and a representative from both the Isle of Man Arts Council and Manx National Heritage.

More about Culture Vannin, our work and governance, can be found here: About Culture Vannin.