Claare Ny Gael - Manx Radio

In his 1794 publication, 'A Tour Through the Isle of Man', David Robertson has added 'A Review of the Manks History', and we've reached events detailed in the Chronicles of the Kings of Man and the Isles with the arrival of Godred Crovan. Professor Van Helsing has written a farewell note for Dr John Seward, just in case Count Dracula should come looking for Lucy Westenra whilst the Professor is keeping watch on her burial place during the night. The following day Arthur Holmwood and Quincey Morris begin to hear of what the Professor intends to do. As y kiaull ain - CALUM KENNEDY - Mary of Skye MAGI TUDUR - Lon bost AR GABALERIEN - Ar c'hloareg youank ENDA REILLY - Pocai stroice THE ALEXANDER BROTHERS - Flower of Scotland LINDA GRIFFITH - Cannwyll BAGAD CAP CAVAL - Lorient suite x 3

As it was written in the 1790s, David Robertson's 'Review of the Manks History' doesn't have the advantage of modern academic research with input from a wide range of disciplines, but still makes entertaining reading, and we can tease out some of the storylines from our own perspective. The coffin of Lucy Westenra was empty in the dead of night, but Lucy is again lying in it the next day. But she's as beautiful as she ever was, despite lying here in a tomb, but her teeth seem longer and sharper now! As nyn giaull - SOWENA - Sprig of thyme SKEEAL - She 'neen aeg mish as aalin CARREG LAFAR - Afon yr haf CAPERCAILLIE - Him bo MARIE-JOSEPHE BERTRAND - Gwerz Skolvan BEOGA - Antics STAA - Kishtey dy yindyssyn JAMIE SMITH'S MABON - Easy on the elephant

David Robertson's walking tour of the Island actually was completed several chapters ago, but he had a further four chapters of observations. However, after that, although he finishes Chapter XVIII with END OF THE TOUR, the book continues with REVIEW OF THE MANKS HISTORY, which is also interesting as he views history as understood or surmised in the 1790s. During the night, Professor Van Helsing has bored and sawed his way into Lucy Westenra's lead coffin to reveal that it's empty. However, he returns with Dr John Seward to open the coffin again during the day - and there's is Lucy, but as fresh and beautiful as she was in life! As nyn giaull - CLASH VOOAR - Lhig y bullad TRIP - The Arabic STEPHEN RENNICKS - An Cailin Ciuin KARINE POLWART & DAVE MILLIGAN - Travel these ways UN CHORAA - Skeealyn Ellan Vannin MORVRAN - Delkiow sivy/Oll an gerriow e'en beaz RUTH KEGGIN & RACHEL HAIR - Eubonia soilshagh/Yn grine veg oarn DERVISH - A stor mo chroi DERVISH - Drag her round the road

David Robertson made a walking tour of the Island on his return visit to it in 1791. His circuit began and ended in Douglas, but he added on three more chapters of his general observations, many of which are rather less than flattering, as we hear. After visiting a hospital to look at a child who had been lost on Hampstead Heath, Professor Van Helsing and Dr John Seward have another mission, this time in the graveyard - in the very vault - where Lucy Westenra was buried recently. It was just before children started being lost on Hampstead Heath. Another extract in our translation into the Manx language of Bram Stoker's Dracula. As y kiaull ain (ooilley cochianglt rish Yn Chruinnaght) - BRETON-MANX COLLABORATION - Abraham Juan/War Enezenn Manav CHRISTINE PRIMROSE - An till mise chaoidh? HOGIAU'R GORORAU - Gwenynen Gwent CONNLA - River waiting BUCCA - An ladr SHEEAR - Financial insecurity MABSANT - Gwlad heb iaith GLASGOW HEBRIDEAN CHOIR - Tir an airm FORZH PENAOS - Ronds de Loudeac

As a British revenue officer, David Robinson was in favour of the British Crown buying the sovereign rights of the Island from the Lord of Mann, the Duke of Atholl, in 1765 in order to suppress 'the trade' - or 'smuggling' as the British Government considered it. Professor Van Helsing is trying to persuade Dr John Seward to open his mind to strange possibilities outside of accepted science. And he has a proposal regarding the burial place of Lucy Westenra. Y kiaull ain y cheayrt shoh - TRIP - Turning tides PLETHYN - Ar ben waun Tredegar THE SCOTTISH FIDDLE ORCHESTRA - Medley for the Gay Gordons ANDRE-PAUL & ROBERTIS BARS - Soun ar bouesoun DERVISH - Welcome poor Paddy home KERENSA - Melyn Charlie/Ker Syllan RUTH KEGGIN & RACHEL HAIR - Vuddee veg Y MONIARS - Cofio am Cayo TRIP - Towards the storm

As a British revenue officer, David Robertson writes approvingly of the way the British Crown bought the Lord of Mann's rights in 1765 in order to suppress 'the running trade' in a move that the Manx people referred to as 'y chialg vooar' - 'the big swindle'. Professor Van Helsing returns from Exeter and starts questioning Dr John Seward about his views on things that science disapproves of, such as astral bodies and mind reading. He points out that Dr Seward is happy to accept hypnotism, even though he has no idea how or why it works. So why not other phenomena? As nyn giaull - BRENDA WOOTTON, ST AUSTELL BAND & TREVERVA MALE CHOIR - Clay ports THE HIGH KINGS - The road not taken JEAN-CLAUDE JEGAT & LOUIS YHEUL - La nuit descend COISIR GHAIDHLIG AN EILEIN MHUILICH - Thug mi'n oidhche 'n raoir sunndach GWENAN GIBBARD & MEI MAC - Gwawr SHEILA CORKILL & CHARLES GUARD - Car y phoosee THE GRENAWAYS - Skath vyghan AVA - Brid og ni Mhaille YOUN KAMM & BAGAD P

David Robertson tells us about the herring fishery and the process of preparing both white herrings and red herrings. We hear of the trade and way of life associated with them in the 1790s.  Jonathan Harker has resumed his journal, and so we hear that Professor Van Helsing finds him in surprisingly good health. However, as they part Van Helsing learns of problems in store. Dr John Seward also resumes his diary, thinking that he'd finished it only a week before. As y kiaull ain - DERVISH - The ploughman JOHN BOLITHO - Maggie May THE TANNAHILL WEAVERS - The geese in the bog/The jig of Slurs ISLA CALLISTER - Arrane ny killey ALAN STIVELL - Son ar c'histr ESTRON - Marwnad yr ehedydd/Dawns y tylwyth teg NORTHERN LIGHTS - Aililiu ny gamhna QULKYN TEW - An vorvoren Senor RANT FIDDLE QUARTET - Sir Ronald McDonald's Reel/Johnny D's

Having arrived back in Douglas from a tour of the Island with two friends, David Robertson surveys the town from Douglas Head and reflects on the herring fishery as it was in 1791. Professor Van Helsing has visited Mina Harker in Exeter. Having found out all about poor Lucy Westenra, his attention turns to Mina's husband, Jonathan, and he, too, reads Jonathan's journal of his travails in Castle Dracula. As y kiaull ain - ANDREA AR GOUILH & ALAN COCHEVELOU - Marzin en he gavel OSSIAN - 'S gann gunn dirich mi chaoidh ST STITHIANS SILVER BAND - Poldice MACDARA - Beidh aonach amarach CATE LE BON - O am gariad CHLOE WOOLLEY & JO CALLISTER - Car ny ferrishyn ALAN STIVELL - Sil Vestrig KARINE POLWART & DAVE MILLIGAN - The quiet joys of brotherhood KERENSA - Neidges awarra/Keur eledh

David Robertson surveys the scene from the summit of Snaefell and falls to philosophising. After heading straight down the valley to Laxey, he and his two friends then complete their tour of the Island by returning to Douglas via Onchan. In our Manx translation of Dracula, Professor Van Helsing explains to Mina Harker how it is that, although meeting her for the first time, he feels that he already knows her. As y kiaull ain - ANOUK PETTIT & AALISH KILGALLON - Dagh laa as oie YR HWNTWS - Hannar cnap REEL TIME CEILIDH BAND - The Congress Reel/Fleshmarket Close/Andy Renwick's Ferret FRANCIS AR MOAL - Merc'hed Breizh Izel BALACH - Leusgeulan fann LA MORESCA - Nine brave boys HARRY MARLOW - We must have a song about the Isle of Man PLU - Deio'r glyn ELEPHANT SESSIONS - Taransay  

After concluding an overview of the Island's ecclesiastical history, David Robertson continues his 1791 tour of the Island, from Bishop's Court to Ramsey, then out to Maughold, before ascending Snaefell. In our Manx translation of Bram Stoker's Dracula, Professor Van Helsing has arranged to come to Exeter to see Mina Harker. So striking is their meeting that Mina decides to give a verbatim report in her journal. As y kiaull ain - MARI MATHIAS - Annwn EOGHAINN O CEANABHAINN - Mo Sheamoisin AR BLEIZI RUZ - Polka de Haute-Bretagne CHRISTINE TEARE - Aislyn y cheayn THE CHANGING ROOM - Yntredha dowr a res THE WHISTLEBINKIES - Captain Celtic PLU - Milgi, milgi THE WOLFE TONES - Let the people sing FLEUVES - Dans Plinn

David Robertson gives a pen portrait of Bishop Thomas Wilson and talks of his successor, Mark Hildesley, as being in the same mould. He then deals with several other incumbents up to Claudius Crigan in 1791, before looking at a range of suggestions for the name of the see as Sodor and Man. There are disturbing developments on and around Hampstead Heath, not far from where Lucy Westenra was buried. Professor Van Helsing arranges to visit Lucy's friend, Mina Harker, in Exeter. Mina hopes it will shed light on what she has just read of the tribulations of her husband Jonathan on visiting Count Dracula's castle. As y kiaull 'sy chlaare y cheayrt shoh - THE LOCHIES - Amhran na Hiortaich Y CLEDRAU - Fel hyn fel arfer TAMALIN - The reconciliation BUCCAS 4 - Hayl dh'agan mammvro SKEEAL - Creggyn/Creigiau DAVY & DYER - An lanow ALASDAIR ROBERTS - My bonny moorhen BRENDA WOOTTON - Rape of the mackerel shoals CORMAC BREATNACH - On board the D&CTP while Justice sleeps

According to David Robertson's 1791 view of history, after the suppression of the Druids of the Ancient Britons in one Mona, Anglesey, they came to another Mona, the Isle of Man, where they continued their benevolent rule and ministry until the coming of Christianity. Following the burial of Lucy Westenra near Hampstead Heath, Professor Van Helsing tries to explain to Dr John Seward how it is that King Laughter comes at the most inappropriate times. Meanwhile, families in the Hampstead area are concerned that children are going missing for some lengthy periods and their excuse is that they've been walking with a beautiful lady on the Heath. As nyn giaull 'sy chlaare y cheayrt shoh - YOUENN GWERNIG - E kreiz an noz AALIN CLAGUE - Drillinyn 4 YN Y BAR - Gwrachod Llanddona/Gyrru'r byd o'm blaen SEONAG NIC CHOINNICH - Ged is grianach an latha THE STOWES - Tin and copper, boys DERVISH - Last night's fun EBEN - Paskou hir ar c'hemener CAARJYN COOIDJAGH - Shiaull ersooyl/Faagmayd nyn ma

Having explored Peel Castle, David Robertson and friends set out for Kirk Michael, and there we explore the background to one of the Scandinavian runic monuments they examined, as well as other ancient monuments. David Robertson seems to know a surprising lot about Druids! In our translation into the Manx Gaelic of Bram Stoker's 'Dracula', we hear of Jonathan Harker's startling sighting in London's Piccadilly of a link to his past of which his wife, Mina, still knows nothing - but decides to discover. From Dr Seward we hear of Professor Van Helsing's odd behaviour, and his explanation for it. As son y chiaull ain, jannoo ard eailley jeh co-haglym as trimmid jeh er y Ghaelg - BUNSCOILL GHAELGAGH - Moghrey mie, ghrian BRIAN MAC STOYLL - Inneen jeh bochilley boght  CAROL WALKER - Ta'n bock, aboo! ersooyl STAA - Illiam y Caine RUTH KEGGIN - Fin as Oshin BUNSCOILL Y DHOON - Green hills of Dhoon MOOT - Yllagh ushlagh DAVID FISHER - Eisht as nish BARRULE - The wheel of fire

David Robertson quotes from the work of George Waldron, describing a piece of history associated with Peel Castle in the 1440s. This has given rise to some fanciful additions to the history of Eleanor Cobham, the former wife of Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, thanks in part to William Shakespeare and to A P Graves in 'Manx National Songs'. Arthur Holmwood has come for the funeral of his fiance, Lucy Westenra. Whilst at first a little reserved, he comes to embrace Professor Van Helsing as a good friend, though the Professor still doesn't explain his actions to him, dragging him forcefully away from the dying Lucy when she asked Arthur to kiss her. As y kiaull ain 'sy chlaare y cheayrt shoh - PADDY TUNNY - The old petticoat CARREG LAFAR - Yr hen ferchetan/Ffair a Bala KING CHIAULLEE - 3.5" floppy ANDREA AR GOUILH - Gwerz an haluad THE ALEXANDER BROTHERS - The bonnie lass o' Bon Accord KERENSA - The bell-ringers/Michael Turner's waltz KEVIN CONNEFF - The pride of Pimlico NOLWENN KORB

We've arrived in Peel in our tour of the Island in 1791 in the company of David Robertson, who gives a brief account of Peel and its bay and then draws on the work of Captain Francis Grose (a visitor to the Island in 1774) to describe Peel Castle. Arthur Holmwood has just had to attend to the funeral of his father before coming for the funeral of his fiance, Lucy Westenra. His comfort is in his friendship with Dr John Seward, and now with John Seward's friend and mentor, Professor Van Helsing. As y kiaull ain y cheayrt shoh - GRAHAM HART - Goin' up Camborne Hill EMMA CHRISTIAN - Arrane saveenagh CILMERI - Ffidl ffadl PAUL ROGERS - Oie Voaldyn MADELYN ANN - Nevez-amzer TOM ALEXANDER - The Flying Scotsman CERYS HAFANA - Tragwyddoldeb EMMET SPICELAND - Stor, a stor, a ghra CAMBORNE TOWN BAND & PARISH CHURCH BELLRINGERS - Mythic Trevithick

Our 1791 tour guide, David Robertson, takes us over the mountains from Ballafesson to Foxdale, and then we go down the valley into St John's, before going back out along the Patrick Road towards Peel. Professor Van Helsing's drastic measures for dealing with Lucy Westenra after her death are thwarted. However, Mrs. Westenra's unusual will has, to the surprise of her solicitor, settled matters in a way which he could scarcely have forseen. As y kiaull 'sy chlaare y cheayrt shoh - MYNEDIAD AM DDIM - Torth o fara BARBARA GLASSEY & HARRY BARLOW - Ellan my chree BAGAD CAP CAVAL - St Brieg set (1) FRANK O'DONOVAN - Sitting on the bridge below the town KARRYGI DU - Oll TOM ALEXANDER - The Flying Scotsman LEAH OWEN - Mil harddach wyt PAUL REYNOLDS - Gold-dust on the waves BAGAD CAP CAVAL - St Brieg set (conclusion)

David Robertson tells us how the Manx people in the late eighteenth century experienced the beings that he refers to as "fairies" and the second sight - not that these were necessarily dismissed by leading figures of the day such as Joseph Addison. Our episode from Bram Stoker's Dracula follows the death of Lucy Westenra - or does it? Professor Van Helsing proposes a startling course of action to Dr John Seward! As y kiaull ain - SHENN SCOILL - Tayrn mee thie PLETHYN - Y ddafad gorniog THE GLENCRAIG SCOTTISH DANCE BAND - The walrus MIKE JAMES & YVES LEBLANCE - Avant-deux de la Meziere EMMET SPICELAND - Mary of Dungloe SOWENA - Saltash JOAN OWEN - Mylecharaine BWNCATH - Fel hyn 'da ni fod SHOOGLENIFTY - Black dog

David Robertson leads us from Kirk Malew to Kirk Christ Rushen, and on the way we pass some standing stones - but where? We then hear some romantic tales associated with Cronk Howe Mooar - the Fairy Hill at Ballafesson. Despite the ministrations of Professor Van Helsing and Dr John Seward, Arthur Holmwood's bride-to-be, Lucy Westenra, is failing. She's grateful to Professor Van Helsing for his understanding of her condition. Another episode from a Manx translation of Bram Stoker's Dracula. As y kiaull ain -  EMMET SPICELAND - Nora bheag MARIE-ALINE LAGADIC - Ma labousig ar c'hoad ELIZABETH DAVIDSON-BLYTHE & DANIEL QUAYLE - Tom Dukes LINDA HEALY - Llygad Ebrill SCOTTISH POWER PIPE BAND - Irree ny greiney CATHAL O CURRAIN & CIARAN O MAONAIGH - Marie ny Eidhin LISETTE MARECHAL - Me 'oa bihannid da ma oad TRIP - Arrane ny niee

As David Robertson is visiting Castletown, then the seat of Government, he looks at the roles of what were then called the Governor-in-Chief, Edward Smith, and the Governor, Alexander Shaw, and also at peculiarities of Manx law - but is he right? We turn once again to Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' in translation into the Manx Gaelic, and hear more about poor Lucy Westenra who becomes restless as there is a fluttering and tapping at the window - by moonlight, Dr John Seward sees that there is a large bat there. As nyn giaull : ELIANE PRONOST - Alc'houez an eurusted DAOIRI FARRELL - A pint of plain CAMBORNE TOWN BAND - Calling Cornwall CAZ DOUGHERTY & PAUL ROGERS - O bee dty host, lhiannoo GERAINT GRIFFITHS - Felindre LYRE LYRE - Rest and be thankful MADELYN ANN - War-vor EMMET SPICELAND - Baidin Fheilimi LESKI - Leski

Although David Robertson is describing his tour through the Island in 1791, he looks back 140 years to events of the 1650s, and we use this as a springboard to the history of the Stanley family. In this week's excerpt from our translation into the Manx Gaelic of Bram Stoker's 'Dracula', Mina Harker unwittingly writes cheerfully to Lucy Westenra, and Dr John Seward's assistant writes to tell him of another incident with the patient, Renfield.  As y kiaull ain - SIAN - Bha mo leannan ann PLETHYN - 'Fuoch chi 'rioed yn morio? ALBERT HEALY - Melodies from four provinces MADELYN ANN - Chom ennon THE NORTHERN LIGHTS - The Deemster's daughter APHEX TWIN - Logan Witch Rock BRENDAN BEHAN - Preab san ol SOBIN A'R SMAELIAID - Y ty NITEWORKS feat. SIAN - Ar fair an la