Isle of Man Heritage Shines at Cooish Festival Celebrating Traditional Language
The Isle of Man recently celebrated its rich heritage during the Cooish Festival, showcasing the traditional Manx language. This annual event brings together locals and visitors to appreciate and learn about the culture and language of the island.
Cooish Festival Highlights
The festival held various activities from November 5 to November 7, featuring lectures, classes, and social gatherings. Here are some key events from the festival:
- November 5:
- Cosy Lunchtime Cooish at Cafe Villa, 12:00-13:00
- Ned Maddrell Lecture by Sr. Erin McNulty at the iMuseum, 18:00-19:00
- Manx Conversation at Woodbourne Pub from 20:00 onwards
- Global Gaelg online taster lesson (pre-booking required)
- November 6:
- Open Manx Class: Fun with Numbers at Greens Cafe, 09:15-10:00 (pre-booking required)
- Open Manx Class: Traa dy Liooar at Greens Cafe, 11:00-11:45 (pre-booking required)
- Cosy Lunchtime Cooish at Greens Cafe, 12:00-13:00 (pre-booking required)
- What’s in a Name? Manx Language and a Sense of Place at Erin Arts Centre, 19:30-21:00 (pre-booking required)
- Manx Conversation at Whitehouse Pub from 20:00 onwards
- November 7:
- Manx Songs and Rhymes for Mini Musicians at Mannin Music Studio, 10:00-10:45 (pre-booking required)
- Manx Conversation at Mad Hatter’s Cafe, 10:00-11:00
- Walking Tour in Manx around Ramsey starting at East Street, 11:15-12:15
- Oie Arraneagh – Song Night at Masonic Hall in Peel from 20:00 onwards
Significance of the Festival
The Cooish Festival serves as a vital platform for promoting the Manx language. Events focused on learning and engaging the community create a stronger connection to the island’s cultural identity.
As the Isle of Man continues to embrace its heritage, festivals like Cooish play a crucial role in keeping the traditional language alive and accessible to new generations.
