Shennaghys Jiu - About us

The idea of establishing a festival such as Shennaghys Jiu was arrived at following a conversation between James Alexander (left), leader of the Fochabers Fiddlers, Juan Garrett and Andrew Hannan at the beginning of 1998. James was keen to bring a group of young fiddlers to the Island during the Easter Holidays. Fortunately for us, and unlike many good ideas born in local hostelries, it was remembered the following day!

Together with Rachel Pressley, Andrew and Juan arranged venues in April 1998 and Shennaghys Jiu was born.

The concept of the festival was to bring young musicians together in a non-competitive environment. It allowed one and all to enjoy the music and get together informally for a session or at the ceilidh to jam and learn from each other. Younger performers also took the opportunity to "take the stage" without the added pressure of competition

From the modest but highly motivated beginnings in 1998 plans were laid for a bigger festival in 1999. More local groups were drawn in and the doubts expressed by others that "you could never provide a festival based mainly on Manx groups" was shown to be false. "Frontline" a group drawn from "Fochabers Fiddlers" were the overseas guests. The showcase of young talent was stunning. Many have gone on to young musician competitions, and in the case of Lossiemouth Fiddlers, full time professionals .

New for 1999 was Shennaghys Jiu "unplugged" - acoustic concerts at Ballure Church - a wonderfully atmospheric though cold venue! "Bands Night" in Laxey broke further new ground and was sold out.

Festival 2000 was headlined by An Cor Gaelach from Donaghmore Co Tyrone. The leader, Helen McCrory, provided an award winning choir, small music group and Irish dancers. Presentations throughout the Island were always varied as a result; an idea the Committee built on in 2001.

Also in 2000 a new formal concert was established at the Grand Island together with a sponsors’ reception. This proved a storming success for performers and audience alike. Special mention must go to Peel where Kirk Michael School choir made their first appearance and King Chiaullee (right) - produced a folk/blues/creole fusion combining Steeleye Span’s “All around my hat” with “Oh Lord won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz” in the style of Father Jack from C4’s Father Ted!

For 2001 two new venues were chosen and both proved popular; St. Marys’ Church had wonderful acoustics for Shennaghys Jiu “unplugged”; and the atmosphere at the Creg Malin was electric for our first FULL HOUSE IN PEEL. Radio presenters (left) were even spotted enjoying themselves and indulging in light refreshments!

The informal sessions seemed to work better in 2001 with many showing a determination to both learn new tunes and to make the session run into the evening concert (causing further agonies for the committee). There were hordes of children at the kids workshop. Face painting proved so popular that more paint had to be hurriedly found! Story telling by our very own mermaid kept some amused while others were taught dance steps.