Manx Gaelic song at Celtic Colours international festival - Canada

Next week, Manx Gaelic singer Ruth Keggin and Scottish harpist Rachel Hair will be travelling to Canada, to play in Celtic Colours – a prestigious international festival taking place in the Atlantic province of Nova Scotia.

Rachel, who is well-known in Manx musical circles for her work teaching the harp for Culture Vannin, had previously met, and performed for, the festival director Dawn Beaton at several industry showcase events in Scotland, where agents and festivals come to see musicians perform and decide who to book. Celtic Colours has a particular focus on languages this year, to celebrate the United Nation’s International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032), and, with their strong focus on Manx Gaelic song, Ruth and Rachel were booked by the festival to play. According to Dawn Beaton, it will be the first time that Manx Gaelic song has been featured at the festival.

Ruth said:

‘It’s very exciting to be booked to perform at a festival that Rachel and I have both long wanted to play at, and very special to be able to share the Manx language and music with audiences. I think it’s hugely important for the Isle of Man for the language, songs and music of our island to reach such large international audiences at such a prestigious festival. As a Manx speaker, I’m particularly interested to find out more about Nova Scotia Gaelic, and the indigenous language of Mi’kmaw’.

As well as performing on 7th and 8th October, the duo are delighted that they will be performing on Friday 6th October in the opening concert of the festival, alongside stellar acts including Blazin’ Fiddles and Le Vent du Nord. The concert, entitled ‘The Universal Language’, celebrates indigenous languages and the universality of music. It will only be a flying visit for the duo, who have a busy performing schedule, but they are both very much looking forward to hearing their musical colleagues, with whom they will share concerts. Ruth and Rachel will perform songs and tunes from their 2022 album ‘Lossan’.

Published: Fri, 29 Sep 2023