Celebrating young local talent and Manx culture have long been at the core of the Shennaghys Jiu festival, which this year celebrated its 21st anniversary.

However, this year there was an extra focus on some of the extraordinary musicians who have been a part of the festival throughout its lifetime, and those who will undoubtedly go on to appear again in the future.

The main features of this year’s event were appearances of Becky Hurst and Isla Callister.

Peel-girl Isla visited with her band, Trip, who are based in Scotland, and Becky appeared with a cut-down version of her Newcastle-based band, Birlinn Jiarg.

They were supported by a host of local acts from the island’s junior school groups, from Dhoon School and Bunscoill Rhumsaa, along with some of the island’s dance groups.

Also taking part were the Lawrences, featuring sisters Katie and Kirsty and brother Mark, and Scran, along with Irish concertina player Greta Curtin, the Kerry Irish dancers and the Cornish group Splann.

Organiser Juan Garrett said that it was a great feeling seeing so many people want to get involved in Manx Culture

’From the point of the view of the festival, it was great to see so many young people wanting to join and take part,’ said Juan.

’To see the success of some of the young musicians, for them to go away and achieve what they have internationally, and then want to come back to the festival and want to take part is a wonderful thing to see.

’We had Becky and Isla appear this year, and they have all have said how much Shennaghys Jiu has helped them at the start of their careers.

’It makes us all incredibly proud for them to say that, and also to watch them become the successes they are today,’ he said.

’We also saw a brand new crowd of people attend the concerts and ceilis this year, which is something we like to see.

’It is really encouraging to see so many children playing and dancing, and people attending and getting involved in both the festival and in Manx culture.’