This year’s Arrane son Mannin (Song for Mann) competition took place at the Masonic Hall in Peel, where supporters gathered to hear a number of entries, from which just one would be chosen to represent the Isle of Man at the annual Pan-Celtic Song Contest in Ireland.
Sponsored by Culture Vannin, who also generously donated £300 prize money for the winner, the evening was interspersed with a variety of entertainment; including Scran, Matt Kelly, John Kilgallon, Manx Gaelic choir Caarjyn Cooidjagh and the Matt Creer Band.
Local performers were invited to submit a newly composed song (including both tune and lyrics) in Manx Gaelic, and a panel of judges were faced with four entries vying for top place, which was subsequently clinched by Biskeeyn Brish, with their powerful rendition of Nagh Abbyr Shen. The aforementioned Matt Creer Band also won
£50 and has been invited to represent the Island in the festival’s traditional song competition in Carlow during April, with their song Ny Boallaghyn Shoh.
Other entries included Christa McCartney (Daunseyr Goll-Twoaie) and Jedoonee Bagoon (Cadley).
Valerie Caine
© January 2017
(Courtesy of the North Western Chronicle)
