Starting on Sunday, November 9, and finishing on Saturday, November 15, both weekends focused on the musical side of things, with great sets from The Mollag Band and Skeeal on the opening Sunday, and two fabulous entries for the competition.

Narrowly beating Tate! into second place, Katherine Crowe's song Gollrhym pene ('Just Like Me') will represent the Isle of Man at the Pan-Celtic song contest next Easter in Donegal.

The week itself offered a mix of events for learners and speakers of Manx, with a celebratory lunch with businesses and members of the public sector who have supported the language in their work.

Manx language development officer for the Manx Heritage Foundation Adrian Cain launched various new products: an open/closed sign for shops in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce, Manx beer mats with Bushy's and, on a more spiritual note, a new Manx prayer card – an idea originating with the Lord Bishop.

Three new books – a Manx translation by Peter Shimmin and Chris Sheard of Sophia Morrison's Manx Fairy Tales, a book of short stories called Ecstasy translated from the Irish by Rob Teare and a book of Manx bird names by Paul Rogers – were launched and are fantastic new resources for learners and speakers of all ages.

Bob Carswell provided another fiendish quiz to keep everyone busy, Cathy Clucas hosted a fastyr caffee and Chris Lewin proved that Russian history and language could be summarised neatly in Manx in the Leaght y Ghaaue.

This year the calibre of the visiting musicians was incredibly high and it attracted press interest from Ireland for Raidio na Gaeltachta and Irish Music magazine.

Arriving on the final Friday, Scottish trio MacGregor, Brechin and O hEadhra captivated their audience with a lively and witty set of tunes and songs in Gaelic.

Award-winning sean-nos singer from Donegal, Máire ni Choilm, enchanted listeners with her pure and beautiful voice and Manx choir Caarjyn Cooidjagh were also on form, with added instruments to augment their a capella sound. And all this in the comfort of the new tiered seating at the Centenary Centre.

Saturday daytime started with a song workshop, with songs in all three Gaelic languages. That afternoon, visiting academic Dr John Walsh from NUI Galway delivered a very fine Ned Maddrell Memorial Lecture about issues in language planning, giving those working for the Manx language much valuable food for thought.

Brian O hEadhra followed the lecture with a presentation about the Nos Ur Celtic and Scots languages song contest which he organises in Inverness as a regional round for the Liet-Lavlut competition.

The festival was rounded off with a relaxed, informal session in the Albert pub, Port St Mary, with music, songs and talk bringing everyone together.

Manx music development officer for the Manx Heritage Foundation and Cooish committee member Breesha Maddrell said: 'We're all very happily tired after a fantastic week of language and music. What impressed me most this year was how everyone worked well together, how well they communicated.

'The festival celebrates work for the Manx language as well as links with related languages and cultures in Scotland and Ireland.
'We were delighted that Irish journalist Aidan O'Hara wanted to cover the event – things like this show just how the festival has grown in reputation outside the Island.

'All the visiting speakers and musicians were totally amazed by the strong and vibrant community of speakers and musicians they found here. I like it when we can surprise people like that!'

The festival also attracted Irish speakers from Belfast, some of whom arranged to visit the Bunscoill Ghaelgagh to see the wonderful work being done there. Their visit happened to coincide with the weekly Club Yernish led by Paul Rogers – teaching Irish Gaelic to those children who want to attend the lunchtime club.

Festival director Phil Gawne MHK said: 'This year's Cooish festival was yindyssagh – absolutely great. With the support of the Manx Heritage Foundation, the IoM Arts Council and local businesses, we've been able to offer a wide variety of events for Manx learners and speakers, as well as those interested in some very fine Celtic music.

'We have a very hard-working committee and great support from venues and organisations. We were delighted that so many people came into contact with the language during the week.'

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