Organisers of the Isle of Man’s largest Celtic festival have just unveiled the line-up of visiting and Manx performers and released tickets for this year’s Yn Chruinnaght Celtic Gathering.

It takes place in Peel from July 15 to 21. Opening the festival’s evening concert series on Wednesday, July 17 will be Welsh Celtic supergroup, Mabon, who are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year and will be fresh off a tour of Australia.

With seven albums under their belts, Mabon present a wide dynamic range, from quiet, reflective melodies and songs to loud and exciting music which has brought audiences to their feet around the world. Sponsored by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, the Mabon concert in the Centenary Centre will also feature Manx music legends, The Mollag Band who will be setting off to represent the Isle of Man at Festival Interceltique de Lorient in August.

The following evening, top Scottish harpist Rachel Hair will be joined by guitarist Ron Jappy and they will be promoting their new album, ’Sparks’.

Rachel is well known in the island as Culture Vannin’s harp teacher and she currently teaches more than 20 young Manx harpists. Friday evening will see the premiere of an exciting new Breton-Manx collaboration between two charismatic performers from Brittany; singer Lors Landat and accordionist Thomas Moisson - and two well-known Manx performers: harpist Mera Royle (winner of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Musician 2018) and keyboard/fiddle player and composer David Kilgallon (King Chiaullee, Chronicles and Mec Lir).

Headlining the final concert on the Saturday night will be Irish singer and bouzouki player Daoirí Farrell, accompanied by bodhran player Robbie Walsh and uilleann piper Michael O’Connell.

Culture Ireland are sponsoring what is sure to be a sellout evening. Providing musical support for Daoirí Farrell’s concert will be Peddyr Cubberley Trad Trio - Manx flautist and talented tune-smith, Peddyr Cubberley, with Malcolm Stitt (guitar) and Russell Cowin (bodhran).

Now in its 41st year, Yn Chruinnaght Celtic Gathering is one of the longest-running Celtic festivals in Europe, and its ethos of bringing together the Celtic nations for an annual celebration of music, dance, language, and culture still holds strong.

Many of the visiting acts will also take part in the invaluable ’Inspire’ educational concerts and workshops organised for schools, while lots of Manx performers and dance groups of all ages will be involved in making the festival a fun and inclusive event.

For more information about the concerts and workshops and to buy tickets visit www.celticgathering.im.

by Julie Blackburn

Twitter:@iomnewspapers