Claare Ny Gael - Manx Radio Manx Radio

Rev Thomas Stephen takes us for a stroll round parts of Douglas and out to old Kirk Braddan, and we look at the background to some of the things he mentions in his 1832 poem, 'A Poetical Guide to the Isle of Mann'.

Jonathan Harker has been disappointed by the Szgany, who turned his letters over to Count Dracula. His renewed hope of getting information out through a part of Slovaks is soon dashed, and then finds that the Count is up to fresh mischief. However, that's not his greatest terror.

As nyn giaull - son Oie Voaldyn as Laa Boaldyn rere yn chenn eaillere -
THE QUARTET - Home
FLOR ENVERSA - Calenda maia
DAVID & ROSIE SPEERS - Hawthorn
KIRREE-AALIN CLAGUE - Oie Voaldyn/Tar gys y ghrian
ANNE & FRANCIE BROLLY - The Magherafelt May fair
PHYNNODDEREE - Ben-rein y Voaldyn/Moghrey Laa Boaldyn
ANNIE KISSACK - Tappagyn jiargey
THE QUARTET - The rival cockades
DAVID KILGALLON - Boaldyn Heear as Boaldyn Hiar
PAUL ROGERS - Arrane y Voaldyn
FRANK JOUGHIN - Moostey yn arragh
MEC LIR - Earthbound

We continue to follow Rev Thomas Stephen's 1832 work, 'A Poetical Guide to the Isle of Mann', in which we hear of the work of the hobblers, the harbour boatmen, and one lady's misfortune on being helped ashore at Douglas.

Jonathan Harker's hopes are raised by the appearance of a group of gypsies in the courtyard of Castle Dracula - perhaps he can send letters clandestinely through them, unknown to the Count. His letter to Mina is written in shorthand.

As nyn giaull -
JIMMY CROWLEY - Nil na la
PEOPLE OF HELSTON - Hal an tow
HELSTON TOWN BAND - Helston furry
MOOT - Graih my chree
ANTON VALERY - La Paimpolaise
MAJORSTUEN - Yiiihaaa!
NA GATHAN - Ga bruidhinn lan-uine
PIGYN CLUST - Ty a gardd
THE SIDHE - Nitro

Writing in 1832, Rev Thomas Stephen is giving us 'A Poetical Guide to the Isle of Mann'. He includes the Island's government, including the role of the Legislative Council - though without mentioning that he, as Vicar-General, was an ex officio member of it.

Jonathan Harker realises that he was not dreaming when he was faced with three beautiful women for whom he felt lust, which turned to horror when it became obvious they wanted to feast on his blood. Count Dracula has him prepare a series of letters - by the dates of which Jonathan Harker sees how long he can expect to stay alive before the Count kills him.

As nyn giaull son Laa Boaldyn -
DOLORES KEANE - May morning dew
DAFYDD IWAN & EDWARD - Cadi ha
MARTIN BEST - Kalenda Maya
STEELEYE SPAN - Padstow May song
SIAMSA NA TIRE - Thugamar fein an samhradh linn
JANIG JUTEAU & REPONSES - A l'arrivee du joli mois de Mai
VOX BLENII - Il Maggio
KAREN TRENEER & BUCCA - May day carol
LOREENA McKENNITT - Beltane fire dance

We continue with Rev Thomas Stephen's 1832 publication, 'A Poetical Guide to the Isle of Mann', but we step aside every now and then to find out more about things he mentions in his text.

In our translation into Manx of Bram Stoker's 'Dracula', Jonathan Harker is exploring part of Castle Dracula where it appears the ladies of the household used to live. Feeling tired, he decides to ignore Count Dracula's warning about not sleeping anywhere but in the suite of rooms he has been using so far and to sleep here.

As y kiaull ain -
PARTI CUT LLOI - Tre Porthmadog
DOLORES KEANE - Thuas ag Gort a'Chornain
KEVRENN ALRE - Gavotte Pourlet
BARBARA GALE with CHRISTINE BREGAZZI, ERNIE THORN & GRAHAM CROWE - Come back to Mona
THE STORY REPUBLIC - Cornish lads
CHARLIE COWIE - The hangman's reel
THE WATERSONS - Country life
BISKEE BRISHT - This won't end well
CRASDANT - Mwmpwy Llwyd

We dip once again into 'A Poetical Guide to the Isle of Mann' by Rev Thomas Stephen, published in 1832. It mixes proud bombast and hyperbole with tongue in cheek cheesiness and a sense of humour and awareness of its own mix of purple prose and bathos.

Jonathan Harker can hardly believe his eyes as he witnesses Count Dracula's way of leaving his room to exit the castle. With the Count out of the way, he decides to explore further than he's hitherto dared.

As y kiaull ain -
SONIA JONES, SUE JONES-DAVIES & GERAINT GRIFFITHS - Teilwng yw'r oen
PEADAR O CEANNABHAIN - Sadhbh Ni Bhruinneala
MIKE O'CONNOR & BARBARA GRIGGS - Miss Pitts' minuet
ANAM - Mary and the soldier
CHAL HA DICHAL - Gavotte des Terrils
MERA ROYLE & DAVID KILGALLON - Deep in the earth
THE BYRDS - Bells of Rhymney
JOHN McCORMACK & EDWIN SCHNEIDER - Terence's farewell to Kathleen
ANAM - Cornish gavottes

We turn to 'A Poetical Guide to the Isle of Mann', written by Rev Thomas Stephen and published in 1832. He wrote in the Manx language as well, but we hear from his work in English this time. Thomas Stephen was Vicar of Kirk Patrick for 15 years and was also Vicar-General - though some parts of his work perhaps belie his day job!

In our story in Manx, Count Dracula is pressing Jonathan Harker to write to his employer, Peter Hawkins, and to anyone else he wishes - but with a clear threat not to write too much. There's also a dire warning not to fall asleep anywhere else in Castle Dracula but in his own set of rooms.

As nyn giaull -
PENNYLESS - Winter is gone
STAA - Illiam y Caine
RIOBO - Mallador
DERVISH - Jig songs
SIAN JAMES - Merch ei mam
YANN LE MEUR & MICHEL TOUTOUS - Ton double, Plonevez-Porzhe
DOCHAS - Puirt e beul
GWENNO - Men an toll
RIOBO - Estroupele/Polca