Ber Weyde

The history of the Isle of Man during the Scandanavian domination naturally divides itself into two main epochs – one before its conquest by Godred Crovan in 1079 and the …

Under the Chasms, on the shore, is a well near the sea. The salt water comes into it at high tide, but when it is ebbing the fresh water spring …

One of the great landmarks in the history of Celtic scholarship was the publication of the first volume of Edward Lhuyd’s ‘Archaeologia Britannica’ at Oxford in 1707. This first volume, …

A parish church existed in Ballaugh, and presumably on the place where we now stand, at least as long ago as the year 1231, when it is mentioned in a …

It was very difficult to keep enough fodder for the cattle in the winter. They had not much store of winter food, and they bruised gorse with mallets, in a …

FREE DOWNLOAD: A Handbook of Norse Mythology (1913). This is lovely to read (not at all stuffy). Available in various formats including .pdf and Kindle, or view it online. http://bit.ly/1a1xXH6

There have been in the past, vital personalities who have surmounted physical handicaps and I think we should salute a Peel man, all too little known, who was such a …

Until “Prowess,” or private vengeance, was made illegal by Tynwald Court held at Keeill Abban in 1429, a manslayer fleeing from the relatives of the victim often took refuge in …

FREE DOWNLOAD: The Surnames & Place-Names of the Isle of Man by A W Moore (1890). Wonderful resource with plenty of reference to Celtic, Norse and purely Manx names. Available …

The Water Bayliff was not only an important figure in the Island’s maritime activities, but his office reaches very far back in our nation’s history. One of the Customary Laws …

A few more words of the Anglo-Manx dialect. MANNINAGH = belonging to the Isle of Man “He’s a Manninagh dooie and she’s a Ben-vanninagh-dooie.”  (He’s a native/true Manxman and she’s …

A hare, or rather a Witch in the shape of a hare, was crossing a field and stood still to stare at a team of horses employed in ploughing, when, …

“It’s a sign of death, mmm…yes it is. For there was three swarms came them three years, one after another, into the chimley of the house, an’ I lost three, …

Memories of Charles Teare’s wonderful powers seem inexhaustible and there is no question of the natural skill in medicines both human and animal, enjoyed by the Teare family for several …

More Manx folklore on cats… • I have heard of an old woman shutting the black cat in the cupboard to make stormy weather. • A family that kept a …

A few Manx words relating to family… MUMMIG – pron. mummig – mummy/mammy MOIR – pron. mawr – mother JISHAG – pron. jizhig – daddy/father AYR – pron. air – …

The chiollagh, or open hearth, is a feature of the old Manx farm and cottage kitchen which is rapidly passing into obscurity.  Indeed, not more than half a dozen or …

Four years ago, in a terrific gale, a ship from Norway, the St. George, came dead on the wildest part of our coast, the fierce headland that lies back of …

Excursion Notes following a Visit to South Barrule 20 August 1936: The name Barrule comes from the very ancient custom of Watch and Ward. The name is Scandinavian “Vordufjall.” Wardfell …

My Mother lying weak and spent Cried out to me her daughter — “O for a drink of Mary’s Well, Sweet Chibber-y-Wurra water!” Among the meadows green and low I …

These two places – the former meaning the ‘great deceiving cross’ and the latter ‘the honey pool’ – are situated a little south of the stone circle on the Mull, …

Whither away, little journeying west wind? Why do you laugh as you skip down the hill? Linger awhile, for the day is but young yet Tell us your story, west …

New Manx literature website with poetry, prose and plays from the Isle of Man – all free to read online and download. What a wonderful resource! The site ManxLiterature.com makes …

We who have heard the fairies’ laughter peeling Through dim-lit hollows in the lonely hills, Have seen pale shadows through the deep glens stealing, Or followed in their track down …

I really enjoy Kathleen Faragher’s work and have compiled this list of Manx words and Manx dialect words from 6 of her books. across – on the mainland aigh vie …

It was St. Patrick’s Day and happened to be a Friday so was pension day. My sister and I prepared to set off for the post offices where we collected …

At last year’s Ellynyn ny Gael Exhibition of Traditional Arts (circa 1964) there stood upon one of the tables what looked like a large bowl of many coloured flowers. In …

The Fairy Washerwoman, also called the Washer of the Night, Washer at the Ford and Singer of the Night, is well established in Scotland and Ireland. She has been seen …

Miss Margaret Dobbs, an authority on Celtic mythology, delivered a lecture at the Manx Museum on 11th February, 1924, on “Manannan Mac Lir,” the ancient god of the sea, from …

A li’l breeze stroog-stroogs through the bracken As a bird from the gill theer takes wing, An’ the hills is all purple an’ lovely; Ay! fair shinin’ with heather an’ …