The festival, a celebration of Manx language, music and identity, is organised by Yn Cheshaght Ghailckagh (the Manx Language Society) and has support from the Manx Heritage Foundation, the Isle of Man Arts Council and local businesses.

Taking place from Sunday, November 9, to Saturday, November 15, the event is an eclectic mix of concerts, school workshops, lectures, music and language sessions.

The festival is for everybody interested in Manx culture — whether they know any Manx or not.

On Friday, November 14, there is a concert at the Centenary Centre, Peel, featuring Máire ni Choilm and the trio of Bruce MacGregor, Sandy Brechin and Brian O hEadhra.

Máire is a native speaker from Goath Dobhair in the Donegal Gaeltacht.

In 1997 she won Comortas Seanos na mBan at the Oireachtas in Belfast and in 2006 the All-Island Fleadh.

Earlier this year she won the Pan-Celtic Traditional Singing Competition in Donegal Town.

Meanwhile MacGregor, Brechin and O hEadhra blend some of the finest musicianship and singing to come out of Scotland.

The trio first performed together as the House Band at the Hebridean Celtic Festival 2006 in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.

Individually they also perform with their own highly acclaimed acts: Bruce in Blazing Fiddles, Sandy in Burach and Brian in Anam.

The trio have drawn on a wealth of tunes and songs from the Gaelic and Scots traditions, as well as each being acclaimed composers in their own right.

They are also acclaimed for their witty and entertaining live performance.

Bruce, Sandy and Brian received a five star review in the Scotsman newspaper last year which raved: 'Perfectly pitched mix of lively dance tunes, evocative slow airs and Gaelic songs earned both rapt attention and noisy applause, culminating in a fully fledged cèilidh.'

The Cooish sees events throughout the Island and starts with a concert on November 9 featuring Skeeal and hopefully the Mollags at the Philip Christian Centre, Peel at 7.30pm. Entries for Arrane son Mannin (A Song for Mann) will be aired as well.

During the week there will be a quiz for Manx learners and speakers, a lecture in Manx Gaelic and a lecture in English about Manx, among other events.

For the full-line up and details see www.myspace.com/cooish