Newsletter
Dollin Kelly
2007
The prestigious Reih Bleeaney Vanannan award for 2007 was presented to retired head teacher Dollin Kelly by the (now former) Chief Minister and Chairman of Culture Vannin, the Hon. Tony Brown. During the award ceremony, which took place in the Millennium Room in Legislative Buildings, the Chief Minister commended Dollin for his many varied achievements in the field of Manx culture.
Brought up in Port St Mary, Dollin Kelly spent his school and college holidays working in a variety of jobs ranging from hawking round herrings to working as a coach driver.
As a classroom teacher and head teacher, his profound interest in all things Manx meant that the hundreds of pupils for whom he was responsible benefitted from learning more about their heritage and culture. He was involved with the old Board of Education’s Local Studies Group and was the first Chairman of its Manx Language Section. He organised annual local studies conferences and encouraged the idea of teaching Manx in schools, which is now an established practice. Dollin also produced Manx resources for use in schools, including a 45 rpm recording of Manx pronunciation.
In more recent years he has been a member of local choirs and is a founder member of the Manx choir Musicale.
He has been an exponent of the poems of T E Brown, performing them widely. He produced the acclaimed one-man show of Brown's narrative poem Betsy Lee, which he took to Edinburgh and performed as part of the annual Edinburgh Festival. This was also issued as a cassette. By request of Culture Vannin, Dollin Kelly also produced a specially edited book of T E Brown's poetry for use in schools. The collection contains extensive notes about the poetry explaining its background and meaning, and has been an invaluable aid for promoting the poet's work. Dollin has given many lectures on T E Brown and has given his time generously around Island schools.
His latest contribution to Manx culture is the publication of New Manx Worthies, of which Dollin was the General Editor. Over ten years Dollin guided his editorial team and nearly one hundred contributors to produce a wealth of biographical detail for over 230 men and women whose lives shaped the Island in the 20th century.
Dollin was asked to name a local cultural group who would receive a cheque for £500 from Culture Vannin to further their cause. He chose the Gaelic choir Caarjyn Cooidjagh, which is run by Annie Kissack.
