A poem, depicting the tragic tale of Fenella, waiting on the shore for her lost love to return from the sea, has won a student the title of the first Manx Youth Bard

Holly MacRae, aged 16, was presented with a new set of purple bardic robes and staff, along £300, at the awards ceremony/.

The ceremony was held at the Henry Bloom Noble Library.

During it each of the finalists perform their poems for the judging panel, which consisted of former Manx Bards, Stacey Astill and John ’Dog’ Callister and the current Bard Annie Kissack.

Esther Walters and Thomas Watterson were voted into second and third place.

Holly revealed afterwards that this was her first attempt at writing poetry and that she was shocked to have been chosen as the Youth Bard.

’I love writing stories, and I also write like to write songs. But I never really write rhyming lines or anything like that,’ said Holly.

’In fact, that was the first poem I have ever written. I’d never really tried to write one before.

’I was so surprised to be picked. I really didn’t expect it at all.’

Holly, who moved to the island from Edinburgh aged nine and is a pupil at Queen Elizabeth II High School, said she was moved to write the poem after being inspired by the folk story of Fenella, depicted as a statue at Fenella beach in Peel.

’Fenella beach was one of the first places I remember going to after we moved to the island,’ she said.

’I really love the carving of the statue of Fenella, which stands in the car park and I wanted to learn more about the story of her.

’I also heard the old folk tale about her waiting for her waiting for her lover to come back from the sea.’

Bridge Carter, the organiser of the Manx Youth Bard event, said that the judges had more applications than they had anticipated and they were amazed at the level of poetic talent in the island’s schools.

She added that Holly’s poem had won the judges over with its power and emotion.

’With her poem "Fenella", a skilfully rendered story of emotion and passion, rich with imagery, Holly captivated and gripped both judges and audience alike,’ said Bridge.

’We see a very bright future ahead for Holly, and we wish her every success in the coming year.’

Fenella

A kiss that lingered on her lips,

The rain that poured; cold wind did nip,

What sorrow for Fenella waits,

As lovers part to meet their fate.

The sea devoured the sailing boat,

Fenella’s lover now a ghost,

Manannan carried out his wrath,

Consuming those in His warpath.

The ship now gone with no remains

Her love persisted, unconstrained,

For Fair Fenella would not try

To let him go, to say goodbye

She held the moment when he left,

The kiss which sent him to his death,

Oh fair Fenella could not bear,

Her lover being lost out there.

And so she waits by the sea shore,

Waiting for one whom she adores,

Until the waves will bring him home,

Fenella Beach is where she roams.