The Isle of Man's National Day is 5 July (according to the new style calendar).

If you work that out by the old calendar, it coincides with the old style 24 June, which was reckoned as Midsummer. The eve and the day are associated with the great god, Manannan Mac Lir, who received tribute from the Manx in the form of rushes.

Rushes are still strewn in the church and on the processional pathway from the church to Tynwald Hill, where the world's oldest continuous parliamentary assembly, Tynwald, meets for a special open-air session on 5 July (new style).

The laws that have been passed during the previous year are read out in English and in Manx Gaelic.

There'll be music and dancing and general enjoyment going on. It's also the start of this year's Peel Festival of the Sea (the Traditional Boat Weekend in slightly longer form, 5 - 9 July) and a romp through Manx history in a presentation called 'The Story of Man and all that' which is being held in the grounds of Peel Castle from 5 - 9 July.

Shoh slaynt,

Bobby Bob