A traditional Manx dance team will travel to South Wales in March to take part in Celtic music and dance festival, Cwlwm Celtaidd, with support from the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.
Skeddan Jiarg will head to Porthcawl on Thursday 5th March to represent the Island at the event, which invites teams from every Celtic country to perform at primary schools in the region and at the festival venue across the weekend. The 55-strong group, which is made up of 31 adults and 24 children – including four under the age of four - will receive discounted return ferry travel for the trip.
The dance group, based in Peel, won a North American Manx Association award in 2017 for 'Outstanding contribution to Manx culture by a group of young people under the age of 25'. It is currently working with Culture Vannin and the Department of Education and Children to create online Manx dancing video tutorials to inspire more people to learn Manx dancing.
Grainne Joughin from Skeddan Jiarg said: ‘We’re so grateful for the support we’re receiving from the Steam Packet Company for this trip. The event is a fantastic opportunity for the children to be part of a multi-cultural experience and we’re looking forward to sharing Manx dance and music, something we’re incredibly passionate about, with audiences from other Celtic nations.’
Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward said: ‘We’re pleased to be supporting Skeddan Jiarg as members travel to South Wales to represent the Isle of Man. The Steam Packet Company is a proud supporter of the Island’s cultural scene and the development of young people within it and, with such a mix of ages, it will be a great experience for the performers.’
For more information about Skeddan Jiarg, go to manxmusic.com and click on the Performers tab.
