Shennaghys Jiu 2005: Review

Shennaghys Jiu once again reaffirmed its importance on the island especially by continuing to provide its younger traditional music community the chance to play with some very experienced performers from other parts of the Celtic world.

Following on from the success of beginning on a Friday the previous year, and with the added bonus of schools breaking up the Thursday, the festival kicked into life with a lively ceilidh at the Masonic Hall in Ramsey.

Back from Galicia was Anton Davila, now no longer just a professional musician but friend and also promoter of the Isle of Man and its culture. Accompanying him this time around was his great friend Harry Price. Harry a classically trained violinist has become a very talented fiddler who now plays alongside Anton in a professional band in Galicia.

Old friends were out in force, as making his almost annual pilgrimage was Calum Stewart. not only had Anton teamed up with Harry, but Calum had teamed up with an exciting young and talented Scottish musician Innes Watson.

After seeing the festival become more popular, the festival committee were once again in a position to offer a third invitation to a visiting group Ré na Gloîre. This was there first festival outside their native Ireland and their enthusiasm was infectious as they had many of the audiences toe tapping along with their lively music.

The official opening also took place at Ramsey Town Hall which provided us with a perfect venue to thank our sponsors and give them the opportunity to meet our visitors. This was followed by an informal session at Ballacloan Stadium, which was well attended by many local musicians and spectators.

Perhaps the committee’s favourite concert is the acoustic concert, which has taken place in various churches during the lifespan of the festival. We were again made to feel most welcome at All Saints Church Lonan, and our success from the previous year continued, as many who arrived for the start time were left having to stand.

With Monday being Easter Monday and therefore a bank holiday, the Bands Night took place on Sunday, for the first time and again proved to be a great success. The audience were well entertained by all our visiting groups along with our own Mollag Band, King Chiaullee, Skeeal and The Mannin Folk.

Monday night once more provided us with perhaps our biggest and hardest to organise concert at the Grand Island Hotel. Many perhaps may be unaware that this concert takes a full day of setting up, as staging has to be collected, then carried through the long corridors, before it can be assembled in the main function room. This alongside helping Anglin carry through his equipment means a very quick turn around for the committee members at tea time, giving them the shortest possible time to get home changed and back for the start at 7.15. That being said, it is effort that is well worth the dividend - standing room only and parents jostling for the best vantage point.

During the afternoon of Tuesday 29^th March a new style Children’s workshop was held, out went the dancing and a more ambitious music workshop was held in its place. This took a large degree of organisation, as we were aware that many children would be at a different level or indeed age. Luckily the committee contains many talented people who were able to use their expertise and skills to good effect and together with Chloë Wolley ensure a very successful and productive workshop took place.

During the lifetime of the festival many changes have been made, some through progression, others for new ideas, but regrettably some due to the loss of venues, e.g. Ballure Church and The Viking Hotel. Last year was again one of those regrettable years which saw the closure of the Creg Malin in Peel, which had played host to Shennaghys Jiu for 5 years. This had caused us some concern and worry, however this was short lived as up stepped the Peel Centenary Centre, which provided us with an excellent venue to display the talents Shennaghys Jiu had to offer. Joining us for the first time under a spot lit stage was Kirsty and Katie and along with our visitors and King Chiaullee a first class concert took place. Our ever-present video archivist also marvelled at the setup, being able to climb to the sound balcony and record the proceedings free from interruptions and annoyances!

All too soon the final day had arrived, and with nothing planned until the evening it gave our visitors the chance to do some shopping or see the local sights. Most preferring to go sight seeing and taking in what the Island has to offer,

The final ceilidh gave all the committee and the visiting groups the chance to relax, although they were able to perform one last time to all those who attended the final night.