Start of 2009 Mananan Festival

A treat is in store in Port Erin for lovers of music and the arts over the next fortnight.

A packed line-up of 21 acclaimed acts, including jazz, folk and choral singing, are on the programme for the 35th Mananan International Festival.

The Erin Arts Centre will be its home, and among the highlights will be An Evening with Carol Ann Duffy, the new Poet Laureate.

The Radio 2 Folk Singer of the Year will also perform.

Organiser John Bethell says this year's programme is the most diverse they've ever achieved.

But he admits bringing so many acts together in one place has been quite a task (play audio file):

Programmes for the festival are available from the Erin Arts Centre, the Welcome Centre at the Sea Terminal in Douglas, and at all the Island's public libraries and commissioners' offices.