page_title: Aeglagh Vannin
section_title: Foundation and activities
hierarchical_section_title: Aeglagh Vannin / Foundation and activities
caption_attribution_description: English: Mona Douglas, pre-1970s
context_page_description: Aeglagh Vannin was a youth group in the Isle of Man whose purpose was the engagement with and revitalisation of Manx language, history and culture. It was established by Mona Douglas in 1931, went through a number of mutations, and faded out in the 1970s. It is best remembered for its central role in the revival of Manx folk dancing.
context_section_description: Aeglagh Vannin was founded in Douglas on 1 August 1931. The central importance of youth and also the nationalist agenda at the heart of the organisation was evident in their motto: Piatchyn jiu, ashoon mairagh
  (Children today, a nation tomorrow).
  Although the organisation was concerned with creating a sense of national identity and cultural pride, it was not overtly political. Mona Douglas explained in the one edition of the organisation's journal, Yn Lior Aeglagh Vannin: "The movement is cultural, not political, because we believe that nationalism is higher than politics."
  Aeglagh Vannin's founding principles were:
  To preserve, study and teach the Manx language.
  To foster in the young people and children of the Island a love and knowledge of the history, folk-lore and traditions of their country and a realisation of their kinship with other Celtic Nations.
  To encourage the creation of a modern Manx music, art, literature and drama.
  To preserve the natural beauty of the Manx countryside and to protect rights of way etc.
  Douglas explained these principles in 1932:
  "[...] at present politics are not for us of the Aeglagh. We want to learn, and to help others to learn, the neglected language and traditions of our country. We want to preserve the beauty of the land. We want to create a new national art and music and literature and drama, built on tradition and racial foundations. And above all, we want so to inspire with these ideals the children who are growing up around us that they may be ready presently to carry on the work further than we ourselves can hope to do."
  The organisation met after school weekly, "for the study of Celtic literature and Manx traditional dance." Also covered in their meetings were Manx history, language, folklore and song. A curious addition to the activities of the organisation was fencing, explained by a later cultural historian as being "to keep the boys' interest, as well as to prepare young people 'to defend the Manx nation'!"
  By 1932 there were 93 members of Aeglagh Vannin, located both on and off the Isle of Man. However, Douglas was keen to gain more, writing in Yn Lior Aeglagh Vannin for more volunteers in the mold of those they had already:
  “Which of us, walking the streets of Douglas or travelling over the mountains or watching the tossing sea, has not felt at some time that behind this dear visible land of ours, shining through it, there is strange, intangible, living power, part of our very selves, to which we owe service and allegiance. Some of us have already answered that demand, and Aeglagh Vannin is one result of that answer.”
  In 1934 Mona Douglas composed an anthem for Aeglagh Vannin which demonstrates her belief in a form of Celtic Mysticism:
  O Land of our allegiance
  O Mannin of the sea!
  May we be ever worthy
  To claim our share in thee!
  We hold thy soil as sacred
  And though we journey far,
  They flame of song and story
  Burns where thy children are.
  For us thine ancient glories
  Gleam yet on sea and shore
  In us the nation's spirit
  Renews for evermore
  And still our dreams make holy
  The hills our fathers trod -
  For in our Sacred Island
  We touch the veil of God.
  Aelagh Vannin visited England and Ireland numerous times in order to perform their Manx dances for other folk dance groups. They also made several trips to Dublin in order to be recorded for Irish television and radio. The children organised fundraising activities such as chopping firewood or making and selling toffee in order to cover their expenses.
caption: Mona Douglas
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