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During a visit to the Yn Chrunniaght Festival, Laura Barton lends a close ear to the music of the Isle of Man.

The writer Laura Barton listens closely to music on the Isle of Man. Surrounded by the tempestuous Irish Sea, the island is said to contain all the landscapes of Britain in only 220 square miles. There's a strong tradition of Celtic music but many say you can hear the particular landscape and character of the people in Manx tunes.

On the rugged northern coast, Laura meets a young harpist, Mera Royle, who plays traditional Manx music and received the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2 Young Folk Award this year. In the western town of Peel, Laura listens to a variety of performers, including Breesha Maddrell and Aalin Clague from Moot and Clash Vooar, at the Yn Chrunniaght festival. And in a fishing village in the south, Laura meets Gyp Buggane, the bassist of the psychedelic band 13th Pillar, who also runs a studio recording the diverse mix of musicians on the island.

Produced by Andrea Rangecroft and Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree production for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Tue 31 Jul 2018 11:30
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Music Played

  • Deborah Henson-Conant

    Nataliana (live)

    Performer: Mera Royle.
    • Unreleased.

  • Moot

    Wide Open

    Performer: Moot.
    • Self-released.

  • Traditional

    Arrane ny Niee

    Performer: Mona Douglas.
    • Culture Vannin.

  • Rhysical Peck

    Miles and Miles of Synchronised SwimmersΒ’ Smiles (Ballagroove Remix)

    Performer: Rhysical Peck.
    • Ballagroove Studio.

  • Traditional

    Ny Kirree fo Niaghtey (live)

    Performer: Greg Joughin.

  • Greg Joughin

    Wash Day Blues

    Performer: The Mollag Ban.
    • self-released.

  • Clash Vooar

    Magh Ass E Kishtey

    Performer: Clash Vooar.
    • self-released.

  • Paul Cringle

    Auldyn River (live)

    Performer: Mera Royle.
    • Unreleased.

  • Rhysical Peck

    Klonerdrome

    Performer: Rhysical Peck.
    • Ballagroove Studio.

  • Clash Vooar

    Roie Ben Juan Tammy

    Performer: Clash Vooar.
    • self-released.

  • Moot

    Sauchey

    Performer: Moot.
    • self-released.

Broadcast

  • Tue 31 Jul 2018 11:30
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4