A new collection of 12 short stories written in Manx has been published as part of Blein ny Gaelgey – Year of the Manx Language 2026.

Cooinaghtyn Noa, meaning ‘New Reminiscences’, was launched at Greens Café in St John’s last week.

The book has been created by ‘Gaelgeyryn ec Greens’, or the Manx Speakers at Greens, a group of Manx learners who meet at the café each week to practise the language through conversation and reading.

Anita Cashen and Angela Little, who co-ordinated the project and contributed stories themselves, said the group had been meeting regularly for years before deciding to take their shared interest in Manx a step further.

They said: ‘As a group of lifelong learners, we’ve been meeting here weekly for years to talk and read Manx together, so we thought, maybe we should start writing together in Manx too!

‘When Culture Vannin advertised its special grants fund to celebrate Year of the Manx Language, we knew that this was the right time to bring our idea to life.’

‘It’s our hope that other learners like ourselves will find the collection useful, engaging and enjoyable.’

Illustrated by Emily Long and edited by Jamys O’Meara, the collection features stories inspired by the personal experiences of its contributors, with subjects ranging from life in the Isle of Man to adventures and memories from overseas.

Among the stories is Y Giense ec Knock Froy – ‘The party at Knock Froy’ – by Sarah Fox, which recalls a celebration attended by her parents that ended with lost keys and laughing police constables.

Another contribution, Gaelg as Mish – ‘Manx and Me’ – by Feena Wilson, follows her journey with the language, from attending Bunscoill Ghaelgagh as a pupil to returning as a teacher.

Dr Breesha Maddrell, director of Culture Vannin, welcomed the publication, describing the stories as an important contribution to Manx-language literature.

She said: ‘What could be better than a collection of short stories that are told from the heart and told well!

‘These stories speak directly of what it is to live on the Isle of Man and in other countries around the world, written in a way which will encourage learners and speakers to engage with them.

‘How wonderful it is that books like this are created to feed the imagination of speakers old and new, and as a legacy to Blein ny Gaelgey - Year of the Manx Language 2026.’

With more than 200 adults learning Manx every week through Culture Vannin, the collection offers a new resource for learners at different stages of their language journey.

Vice-chair of Culture Vannin, Chris Williamson, also attended the launch and highlighted the importance of supporting contemporary Manx writing.

He said grant-funded projects helped the charity support a wider variety of creative work, adding that more modern texts and authors drawing on different backgrounds and experiences were needed.

Cooinaghtyn Noa is available for £5 from Greens Café and other stockists across the island.