Folk musicians picked up their fiddles, accordions, whistles and guitars and took part in what they claim is the world’s first indoor music session since the lockdown restrictions came into force across the world.

Around 15 musicians joined in with the traditional Irish music session, held at the Laxey Sailing Club on Sunday afternoon and played a range of traditional folk tunes, including Irish and Manx tunes, along with a few other favourites.

The various players were quick to take advantage of the ending of the social restrictions in the island, after spending the past few months playing together over online Zoom meetings.

Mary Molloy said that the session had attracted a lot of feedback from trad musicians across the world who are unable to join in with similar gatherings.

’I’m convinced that this is the first indoor session anywhere in the world since the whole lockdown thing started,’ said Mary.

’If you look at Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, or anywhere across Europe, America or anywhere in the world, they still can’t gather like this. So, until someone can contradict me, I’m taking this for the Isle of Man!

’All my friends in Ireland have no idea when they can get back to something like this and they are going crazy with me.

’Fair play to the Isle of Man.’

Mary said that they still intend to go ahead with the traditional music weekend, which is held in September.