People encouraged to sing Christmas songs in Manx

A new online audio resource will allow Christmas songs in Manx to be heard on island and further afield, the musician behind the project has said.

The Nollick Ghennal, Songs in Manx for Christmas playlist has been designed as a learning tool to accompany a songbook of the same name.

Produced by Culture Vannin, it features 40 songs, including carols for children, secular tunes, old Gaelic carvals, and translations of well-known festive favourites, and has been designed to reflect the breadth of Manx music linked to the season.

Manx music development officer Chloe Woolley said the project would help support teachers and schools keen to include more material in the Isle of Man's native language.

Songs featured include Manx versions of Silent Night and Little Manger, as well as H.P. Keely's Arrane Cadlee yn Voidyn Moirrey and local favourite Tra va Ruggit Chreest (When Christ Was Born).

Schools had already started using the resource, with one primary school recently including one of the songs in its nativity, says Dr Woolley said.

Dr Woolley said: "The new audio recordings will help singers even further, whether they are complete beginners or already fluent in Manx," she said.

"As the language grows in strength, and demand for accessible resources increases, we are looking forward to hearing many of these songs performed at Christmas events here on the island and further afield."

Awareness of the Manx language will be promoted beyond Christmas with the Blein ny Gaelgey - Manx Gaerlic for the Year of the Manx Language - celebration starting in January 2026.

Organised by the Manx Language Network, Jeebin, the year will highlight existing annual events, spark new initiatives, and encourage more use of Manx words and phrases.

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