The Isle of Man's folk music festival 'Yn Chruinnaght' or 'The Gathering' took place between the 15th and the 19th of July 2015. There were events happening all around the Isle of Man, with a particular focus around the festival's home in Peel, on the West coast of the island.

I had been invited to play with 'Chronicles' (the trumpet and organ duo featuring myself and David Kilgallon) in St. German's Cathedral in Peel on Wednesday 15th of July. This was for a concert called 'Kiaull'sy Voir-Agglish' in the Manx Gaelic language (or 'Music in the Cathedral' in English). The duo opened the concert and performed three new works and one additional work composed by David Kilgallon that had been newly re-arranged for trumpet and organ. The new pieces included a Vaughan-Williams-inspired fantasy on two Manx tunes, a Norwegian folk song in a contemporary style and a set of fast-paced Irish Polkas which involved an imitative introduction and coda section between the trumpet and the organ. The rest of the concert in the cathedral introduced the Mischa Macpherson Trio and Vladimir Stefanov & Ivelina Georgieva. After the concert there was further entertainment at the Creek in Peel - firstly from the Mollag band and then there followed a high-octane performance from the popular Manx band Mec Lir.

The festival continued throughout the week with memorable performances from all sorts of artists from the Isle of Man and from further afield.