One of the highlights of the island’s Celtic cultural calendar returns to the north of the island this weekend.
Shennaghys Jiu (Tradition Today) sees workshops, concerts, ceilidhs and a band night in venues across Ramsey and Andreas from tomorrow (Friday) to Monday.
A family concert and ceilidh takes place at the Masonic Hall, Ramsey tomorrow evening.
Saturday night sees a Celtic ceilidh at Andreas parish hall.
And the final night’s concert and ceilidh will be at the Masonic Hall.
A popular event is the bands night on Monday, again returning to Bar Logo.
A festival spokesman said: ‘We hope this year to build on the successes of previous years, and continue to provide enjoyable concerts and ceilidhs in the hope we can build on our family atmosphere and encourage new people to discover Manx traditional music and the joys a festival has to offer.’
Since its launch in 1998, Shennaghys Jiu has hosted a wide range of talent from many different Celtic cultures.
Joining this year’s line-up are Scottish performers Ross Hull, Cameron Grant and Christian Gamaulf.
Ross and Cameron played as a duo until they met Christian while they were all studying at Uist. Christian’s interest in Cape Briton brings a much welcome swing to the duo’s existing sound.
Two Irish groups, Achrann and The Kilcummin Set Dancers are joining forces especially for the weekend.
Achrann is made up of a range of talented musicians who have all toured and played music professionally: Greta Curtin on concertina, Jessie Healy (fiddle), Darragh Horan (guitar) and Eoin o Sullivan (banjo). This weekend is one of their debut performances.
Joining them on stage are the highly acclaimed Kilcummin set dancers, who have toured throughout Europe and are reigning world and all Ireland champions.
Expect Sean Nos, set dancing, Irish dancing and brush dancing.
The Christine Wilson Highland Dancers, originating from Edinburgh, are returning to Shennaghys Jiu this year.
They have all been involved in competitive dancing at Highland Games and competitions throughout Scotland.
They were taught by and introduced to the festival scene by Christine Wilson, a former World Champion Highland Dancer who retired in 2010 and continue to dance in her name.
Joining the line-up are a range of Manx acts.
The Mollags, a regular performer at Shennaghys Jiu, will be returning to perform their eclectic mix of self-penned songs and traditional material in both English and Manx Gaelic.
Singer and guitarist Adam Melvin will be bringing his sound to the festival, described as deeply rooted in folk, Americana and alternative country.
Matt Kelly returns to Shennaghys Jiu as a solo act for the first time playing acoustic guitar.
It features Celtic-themed instrumentals you might expect, and more contemporary songs with vocals that you might not.
Becky Hurst performs her own compositions on the whistle and Anglo concertina.
And acoustic outfit The Birds and the Beards, made up of vocalist Stephanie Tomlinson with Nell Kneale, Adam Swales and Mike Giles on guitars, describe themselves as ‘acoustical balladeers pioneering through space and time’.
Young musicians from youth project Bree will also be performing, fitting with the festival’s original ethos of giving younger performers the opportunity to take to the stage without the added pressure of competition.
Shennaghys Jiu is indebted to Culture Vannin and the Isle of Man Arts Council for their support.
For more information visit shennaghysjiu.com or the festival’s Facebook page.