Oie Houney

We're super excited to share with you the news that we are the sponsor for the 2025 Oie Voaldyn Festival. It's been a highlight of the calendar for us as a family, and for us to now be able to be part of it feels very special indeed. Not only that, but as a business our designs draw inspiration from our landscape, heritage and culture, and the importance of this celebration is very much part of the tapestry of the Island - something to celebrate and enjoy for generations to come.

We look forward to working with John and the rest of the incredible team of volunteers at Isle of Man Fire & Folklore Festivals, and be sure to mark your calendars now..... 4th May 2025 - its going to be amazing!

We have some fantastic acts announced for Laa’l Breeshey! Entry by donation - absolute bargain! Come & join us! 😁 🎻 🎶

Oie Houney 2020 This is "Oie Houney 2020" by Talon Media (Isle of Man) on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

"How do you say 'Hop tu Naa'?"

It might seem simple today, but 120+ years ago it was probably said very differently all over the Island...
Before 1900 you can see 'Hop tu Naa' being written in various ways, suggesting different pronunciations:

• Hop-th-nay [1844 'Manx Liberal']
• Hop-dy-naw [1845 Joseph Train, 'An Historical and Statistical Account of the Isle of Man']
• Hog-unnaa [1866 John Kelly, 'Manks Dictionary']

These could be showing a change over time, or they could show regional differences in pronunciation.
We can test this possibility by looking at an article from Karl Roeder in 1897, where he gives versions of the song from different places around the Island:

Ballaugh:
Noght oie houney, Hoptunaa
Ramsey:
Hop-tu-na, this is old Hollantide night
Glen Meay:
I went to the rock, trollalla.
The rock gave me cold, Hopdynay
Surby:
Noght oie Houney, Hopd yn ay!
Port Erin:
Kellagh ny giark, chibber ny gauin, Hopd yn ay!
Meayll:
Noght oie Hauiney, Hopd yn ay!

Are there regional variations shown in here...?

This is only a very small sample, so we should be wary of drawing any hard conclusions.
However, it is probably important to open up the possibility of the word being said differently around the Island, just as the song varies all over the Island. 100+ years ago, when there were distinctive regional accents, this would almost have been expected.

For more about Hop tu Naa, this is the page: https://culturevannin.im/manxfolklore/hop-tu-naa-468995/

We hope you all have a great Hop Tu Naa unfortunately this year we did not get the support from various bodies to run the festival - fingers crossed for 2023

Would it not be great if our local powers that be recognised the potential of Oie Voaldyn & Oie Houney

Lonely Planet names Shetland’s Up Helly Aa as one of the world’s best events The new book by Lonely Planet highlights not only where to go, but why and how, creating the ultimate trip planner for the year.

Everything Hop tu Naa in the one place...
Songs, music, pictures, stories, history, dance instructions & more!
https://culturevannin.im/manxfolklore/hop-tu-naa-468995/

Now that October is here, it's time we link to this page of free Hop tu Naa resources which we have been building up for years!
On it you will find such treats as:
🕯️ The words for lots of Hop tu Naa songs
🕯️ Over 100 photographs, most of which are copyright-free & free to download
🕯️ A video instruction for the dance
🕯️ Information on the divination traditions of 31 October
🕯️ The 'real story' of Jinny the Witch
🕯️ Links to over 25 films about the tradition and songs.. and lots more!

Whether you are planning an event, you want to find out more about the tradition, or you just want to get in the moot-mood, this is the place to go:
https://culturevannin.im/manxfolklore/hop-tu-naa-468995/

🔥 Fire Festival - Sunday 1st May! 🔥

The Cod and Castle are proud to sponsor the ‘Craft’ tent for this years Oie Voaldyn Festival.

The ‘Cod and Castle Craft Tent’ will be situated on the Tongue where, for a small charge, children will have the opportunity to:
🔥 Make a summer headdress
🔥 Make a Oie Voaldyn rune pendant
🔥 Have summer or winter face decorations
🔥 Take part in the colouring competition

The tent will be open from 2pm - 6pm.

The fire lit procession starts at 8.45pm ending in fireworks! 💥🎇🎆

Peel Fisheries Chippy, Quayside Fish and Chip Shop and The Cod and Castle will be open serving your favourite chippy treats! 🍟🐟

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/magical-healing-herbs-of-oie-voaldyn-tickets-317537161197

Magical Healing Herbs of Oie Voaldyn Learn about the folklore and remedies associated with the Tramman, Hawthorn and Rowan Trees with Jane Prescott - The Manx Herbalist

Please note that the next Oie Houney Fire Festival will take place in 2022 where we hope to be back with a bang!

Oie Voaldyn 2021 CANCELLED - So close yet so far

After discussing the current Covid situation with suppliers, organisers and our various teams we feel that we cannot put on our May Festival with any certainty as we are not out of the woods just yet. Our anticipated audience this year was going to be over the 6,000 mark and the last thing we want to do is become a super spreader event.
There has also been no time or opportunity to organise rehearsals for our Fire Teams, the core performers or the choir etc and when we do this amazing event again we want to do it right!

We would like to thank the Peel Town Commissioners, Culture Vannin, Visit Isle of Man, IOM Arts Council for their support and of course everyone else that has been working behind the scenes to try and get the show on the road.

Here’s to Oie Voaldyn 2022 - may the sun shine on May Day!

The witch who led 600 Manx men to their doom by her beauty...

Tehi Tegi is the common origin story of Hunt the Wren, but this is how it appeared in 1911 as told by Sophia Morrison:

TEHI TEGI

Long hundreds of years ago there was a witch in the island who made herself the finest and cleverest-looking young woman in it. Her like for beauty was never before seen in this mortal world. When she went out walking or riding the very birds of the air would forget to sing for looking at her, and her sweet voice would tempt them off the trees to listen to her. Even the animals would stand still till she went by, for her beauty cast a spell on them. And as for the men, the poor creatures, they flocked from all sides of the island to woo her, and when they had once looked on her face they never wanted to leave her. They forgot everything else in the world – all sorrow and care, home and country, till at last everything in the island came to a standstill because the men followed wherever this young witch chose to lead them. Their haggards were empty, for they neither ploughed nor sowed, and their houses tholthans, for they neither built nor mended. They cut no turf and pulled no ling for fires. Their fields were covered with stones, so that the cattle died for want of pasture, and their gardens were full of weeds. There was a strange stillness throughout the island – no children’s voices were to be heard anywhere. The witch only laughed to see what her beauty had done, and she kept all the men near her by making each think that himself might be the chosen one. If one asked her to marry him she would answer, ‘An’ maybe I will,’ and then she would say the same to the next. So they spent their days in pleasuring themselves. When she had made slaves of the men of the island in this way, she said one day:
‘Saddle me my horse, for I’ve a mind to ride.’
So they brought her milk-white horse shod with shoes of gold, with bit of gold and bridle set with jewels, with saddle of mother-of-pearl and saddle-cloth of blue. Tehi Tegi mounted, and the waves of her golden hair flowed down over her dress of shining white.
‘I’m going,’ said she, ‘to the country for the day, and you can follow me on foot if you like.’
[...] At last they found themselves at the side of a bright swift river, and she put a spell on it and made it seem shallow, and as smooth and clear as glass, so that the little stones at the bottom were barely covered. Then, when they were all beginning to wade through it, she took off the spell, and the water rushed over their heads and swallowed up the six hundred poor lovers. With that she made a bat of herself and rose up in the air and flew out of sight. Her milk-white horse turned into a perkin, plunged to the bottom of the stream, and swam away out to sea and was never more seen.
____

Read the story in full here: https://www.culturevannin.im/watchlisten/imagearchive/whispering-in-the-trees/

Alternative versions of this tale have Tehi Tegi turning into a wren, which is then used to explain Hunt the Wren: https://www.culturevannin.im/manxfolklore/hunt-the-wren-469497/

The image was newly created by Mark Kinrade inspired by this traditional piece of Manx folklore dating back centuries. He created it as a part of his Whispering in the Trees series reimagining 40 of the Island's traditional tales:
https://www.culturevannin.im/watchlisten/imagearchive/whispering-in-the-trees/

It's taken a little while for me to get around to posting these photos, but they bring back some great memories from an absolutely fantastic evening :-) Brilliant atmosphere, and all done without the planned dress rehearsal as they had to bring the event forward by a night due to weather conditions.
Another great show by John Shakespeare and the team! Better every year...

If you came to the Festival we would love your feedback - just 10 quick questions!!!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VX7KS3D

Can you spare a few moments to take my survey? Please take the survey titled "Oie Houney Manx Winter Fire Festival - Peel". Your feedback is important!

Whilst most of the UK is in lockdown on the Isle of Man, due to fast reactions and closed borders, there is no social distancing and life is almost normal. On Friday 30th October over 5,000 came together on Peel Shore to celebrate Oie Houney - the time when summer passes to winter - this festival is also know as Hop tu Naa - elsewhere you might know it as Halloween!

https://vimeo.com/474319781

Oie Houney 2020 This is "Oie Houney 2020" by Talon Media (Isle of Man) on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

It's now easier to send Oie Houney a message.

A huge thank you to everyone that took part and watched the first Oie Houney & Hop tu Naa Manx Winter Fire Festival.

Although we had to change the date with 36 hours notice, from Saturday to Friday, the decision turns out to have been inspired. From my commentary point on the harbour I had a spectacular view of thousands of people on the shore watching hundreds of torches burning under a beautiful moon with no wind. Thank you Manannan!

To list everyone that has been involved would be really hard but I must mention some key people – if I leave anyone out can I still thank you!

Firstly the Peel Town Commissioners led by Ian Davison who really rose to the challenge. The amazing work force at the commissioners led by Terry and Fred - we could not have done it without them - the layout of the beach was the best I have ever seen.

Culture Vannin who have always believed in what we are trying to do with the Oie Festivals and provided invaluable financial support; James for his guidance on all things Manx!

Isle of Man Harbours who have had to deal with some tricky Covid issues!
The Police for always being there!
The incredible contractors who finished tarmacking Spit Corner at 3pm!

And now on to the show…

CREDITS
Producers & Directors John & Jo Shakespeare
Script - John Shakespeare
Event Management - Event Management Solutions - Peter Young & crew
Sound Gear Up - Josh, Lee, James & crew
Fire Show Oie Festivals Fire Team led by Steve Corfield – Alan Kneen, Gwen Le Serene, Zoe Barrow,Claire-bo Bader , Anna Faragher,
Fireworks Galaxy Fireworks - Stuart Hamer & crew
Ambulance St John Ambulance
Advertising Energy Fm & Isle of Man Newspapers
Manx National Heritage Use of Peel Castle, and turning off spotlights!
Tree Ceremony Manx Blind Welfare
Manx Youth & Community Services
Peel Sailors Shelter Netty Pledger & Ken Diack
Turnip Competition Alan Kneen in memory of his sister Pauline
Adult Dress Competition Sponsored by Fynoderee
Torch preparation Trevor Gibbs & Alan Kneen

Compere for competitions Caroline Salmon
Hop tu Naa Dance Greg Joughin and the Mollag Band
Wax Torch Sales Stand Val Garret & Netty Pledger
Fire Marshals & torch lighters Keith & Michael Horne, Cav, Marg Dawson, Michael Ulyatt
Transport Nigel & Nikki Sperring
Main Costumes Izy Simonds
Production Assistant Jan Ulyatt

CAST
Winter Champion Peddyr MacNiallan
Winter Queen Mel Read
Winter Princess Katie Parton
Feeagh (raven) Henry Uniacke
Moddey Dhoo Team Inside! - Ian Tomkins & Liz Calcott, outside! – Trevor Gibbs & Jane Hinchcliffe

Summer Champion Steve Corfield
Summer Queen Melly Maxwell
Summer Attendants Cathy Clucas, Jo Dalgleish, Vicky Beavis & Sophia Taylor
Fynoderee Andy Bentley (costume kindly loaned by Fynoderee Gin)
Teeval Phoebe Robinson
Billey Cuirn Sarah Mercer
Summer Parade Leader Sara Johnson

Main Cast: Richard, Ruth, Alan, Jo, Lulu, Monica, Janet, John, Caroline, Celine, Will, Eloise, Nicky, Alex, Peter, Myra, Mac, Jane, Sue, Pam, Anna, Chris, Cheryl, Vera, Cathy, Sara, Mark, Susan, Ed, Nick, Dave, Christa, Susan, Ardrene, Sarah, Paula, John, Peter, Ian, Liz

And everyone else that joined in or forgot to sign in!!!

Please note that due to adverse weather conditions forecast for Saturday 31st October Oie Houney and the fireworks have been brought forward to FRIDAY 30th October

The timings are the same as follows
5.30pm Food vendors and wax torch sales open Weather Glass
Corner
6.00pm Adult Dress Competition sponsored by Fynoderee
Children's Turnip Competition in memory of Pauline Kneen
6.15pm Hop Tu Naa Dance - music by the Mollag Band - in front
of Peel Sailing club
6.45pm Fire show on Peel Beach - buy a wax torch and take part in
the Winter or Summer Parade!
7.30pm Fireworks from Peel Harbour / Breakwater

Any question please call 481814

Children's Turnip Competition taking place just before the fire show - get carving! Judging takes place in front of Peel Sailing Club at 6pm. We would love to see loads of turnips glowing all around the arena - so bring all your moots anyway!!!

Check out this great song and tune about our sister festival Oie Voaldyn

Beautiful things are never out of season...
A new song about the traditions of Oie Voaldyn by Paul Rogers:
https://youtu.be/FwNNCpDBCfw

Back in April we ran a competition for new songs, tunes & dances for Oie Voaldyn / Laa Boaldyn (31 April / 1 May), and the winner of the song category was this by Paul Rogers.
We thought that the song was too good not to get a video made for it, so, with the help of the Oie Voaldyn festival & Visit Isle of Man, we got the most beautiful footage going to create this spin-tinglingly beautiful film of Paul's wonderful song:
https://youtu.be/FwNNCpDBCfw

More about the Boaldyn competition and all the wonderful winners is here: https://www.manxmusic.com/news_story_639970.html

Of course, Oie Voaldyn is the Summer-time sister event to the Winter-time Hop tu Naa, so many of the traditions would have been mirrored between the two points in the year (note the fire, disguises, protection against potential evil etc.)
This is why we can look forward to the first ever Oie Houney festival this year with great excitement!
https://oiehouney.com/

More about Oie Voaldyn and Oie Houney (Hop tu Naa) can be found here: https://www.culturevannin.im/manxfolklore/

Would you like to be involved in the Oie Houney Winter Fire Festival? Dress up and be in our Winter or Summer Torch light Parade? There is an open meeting on Saturday 17th October at 2pm at The Masonic Hall, Stanley Road, Peel - to find out more! If dressing up is not your thing we need people to help out with torch lighting, marshalling, make up, face painting etc. We have other dates for your diary below!

If you need more information call John on 481814

Be part of the first ever Oie Houney Winter Fire Festival!

17th October Saturday 2pm - meeting at Peel Masonic Hall to go through this new event for regulars of Oie Voaldyn but also open to new members that want to take part.

25th October Sunday 2pm Peel Shore (Spit corner) a run through for anyone that wants to practice in the daylight! Meet at Peel Sailors Shelter

30th October Friday 7pm Full technical and sound rehearsal. Meet at Peel Sailors Shelter

31st October Saturday - the event starts at 5.30pm with various stalls and goings on. Adult Winter dress up competition at 5.45pm Turnip competition at 6pm - Hop Tu Naa Dance for everyone at 6.10pm - The Fire show on the beach starts at 6.45pm Summer Parade 6.45pm Peel Lifeboat House Winter 6.55pm Creg Mallin. Fireworks at 7.30pm

Did you know that Castletown is the home of the Jinny the Witch song?

She began to appear in the Hop tu Naa song in Castletown in around the 1890s, but not as a witch...

At the end of the 19th Century there was an roughly-established Hop tu Naa song which came directly from the Manx, telling of burning your throat on broth and running away to Scotland (and much else besides!).
But T. E. Brown (the Manx National Poet) gave a lecture in January 1893 wherein he said:

"They had a peculiar version of “Hoptunaa” at Castletown. At first it went the same as in other parts of the Island, but then came [...]
Jinny Squinny went over the wall
To get a rod to beat the foal.
Hop-tu-naa.
Jinny Squinny went over the house
To get a rod to beat the mouse.
Troll-la-laa
Jinny Squinny went over the claddagh
To get an apron full of barragh (tow)
Hop-tu-naa."

As you see, Jinny is not "the witch" here, but just "Squinny."
In fact, other than a single appearance of her as "Jinny the Witch" in 1900 in a newspaper article, it wasn't really until the 1940s that it appears that she became established as a witch when people went out singing on the streets on 31 October.
Indeed, she is still "Jinny the Squinney" to some in Ramsey (only?) today.
But, regardless, it is remarkable that we can trace back (most of) the modern versions of the song to Castletown!

This was one of the fascinating things uncovered by Stephen Miller RBV in his recent article, "Are you quite sure about your 'Hop-tu-Naa?' Have you got the genuine 'Hop-tu-Naa'?":https://www.manxmusic.com/media/History%20photos/Hop%20tu%20naa%20KMJOct2020Miller.pdf

The dating of the popularity of Jinny as a witch comes from this older article of Stephen's: http://www.manxmusic.com/news_story_235096.html?fbclid=IwAR1UmEmahb_KYd3y550bGiSChqH5nxYscxbwb-1GJJL55Yq6K-inx-SHKtE

This appeared in the latest edition of the Manx music newsletter, KMJ, which came out recently:
https://www.manxmusic.com/newsletters.html

Sung versions of the Hop tu Naa songs can be found in this Hop tu Naa video playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB95FuN2S6jNzb3lpOlQCKlfwtixUYE9I

More about Hop tu Naa can be found here:
https://www.culturevannin.im/manxfolklore/hop-tu-naa-468995/

Tales Out of The Crypt | Manx National Heritage Join us inside the ancient walls of Peel Castle for a journey back in time, hear tales about a witch, a giant, and the infamous Moddey Dhoo. Saturday 31st