Dancers from the island are heading off to Ireland during half term.

Ny Fennee, a Manx folk dance group based in the north of the island, are heading to Killarney, in the Republic of Ireland, to team up with a team of Irish dance troupe for a cultural exchange.

They will be hosted by the Killarney School of Music, and take part in a joint Irish and Manx ceildh, hold Manx dance workshops and also perform a joint concert with the Kerry Dancers, who themselves have travelled to the island on a number of occasions. They regularly appear at the Shennaghys Jiu festival, a Ramsey-based weekend event which promotes and highlights young talent in the trad-folk world, and creates links and cultural bonds between the different Gaelic nations.

Juan Garrett, the leader of Ny Fennee, said that the aim of the trip was to give the younger members of Ny Fennee the experience of travelling abroad and performing to, and alongside, dancers from other countries.

’The trip represents an opportunity for some of our younger members to experience something new, and give them a chance to showcase their talents,’ said Juan.

’There will be lots to learn about each other’s cultures, to represent the Isle of Man, and hopefully it will encourage our own children to carry on developing our own traditions.

’Although some of the older members will be accompanying the group, it will be the younger members who will be given the chance to lead the dances and routines.’

Ny Fennee, which means ’The Heroes’ in Manx gaelic, were formed in 1980 .

The group perform many of the traditional Manx folk dances, and also perform their own original dances, set to both old and modern folk tunes.

They frequently represent the Isle of Man at many festivals and cultural events both on and off the island.

The dance group also appeared in the grand concert at inter -celtic Lorient Festival, in Brittany, during 2015, when it was hosted jointly by the Manx and Cornish nations.

by Mike Wade

twitter:@iomnewspapers