Celebrate Manx May Day at Cregneash

Thu, 28 Apr 2022

Manx National Heritage celebrate Manx May Day (Laa Boaldyn) at Cregneash on Monday.

Throughout the day visitors will be able to experience the folklore and traditions of the Manx May Day through music, dance and storytelling.

Vicky Dale, Site Supervisor for Cregneash said: “Manx May Day celebrations mark the passing of winter and the rebirth of summer, which was thought to be a particularly perilous time in Manx folklore. Witches and fairies were considered to be at their most mischievous around midnight on May Day Eve and a series of traditions arose to allay fears and protect the Manx people and their livestock from potential dangers.

The principal form of protection against mischievous fairies was the crosh cuirn, made from a rowan or mountain ash and placed above the door of the house or the cow shed and even tied to the cows’ tails”.

Visitors will be able to make crosh cuirns to protect themselves as they hear about Manx rural traditions.  

The event takes place from 11am to 3pm.

---