Ruth Keggin

Ruth Keggin is a Manx Gaelic singer-songwriter.[2] She holds degrees from the University of York and the University of Cambridge.[3]

Ruth Keggin
Ruth Keggin performing with Nish As Rish at the Inter-Celtic Festival of Lorient in 2014
Ruth Keggin performing with Nish As Rish at the Inter-Celtic Festival of Lorient in 2014
Background information
Born1989
Isle of Man
GenresFolk, Celtic
Occupation(s)musician
Instrument(s)vocals, piano, flautist, whistle[1]
Years active2011-present
LabelsPurt Sheearan Records
Websitewww.ruthkeggin.com

Career

In 2011, as a member of Nish As Rish, Keggin won in the Best Newcomers category at the 2011 Festival Interceltique de Lorient in Brittany, France.[4]

Keggin was awarded a grant by Culture Vannin to produce her 2014 debut solo album, Sheear ("Westward"), a collection of traditional and contemporary Manx songs praised as "bringing new life into the language with her music."[5][6] Keggin's album has held popularity in the Celtic genre, becoming album of the week on Celtic Music Radio[7] and listed as number one in Japan’s ‘Top 10’.[8]

Keggin released her second solo album, Turrys ("Journey"), in 2016. Critic Neil McFadyen, writing for the journal Folk Radio UK, praised the album and called her voice "clear, precise and a joy to hear."[9]

In September 2020 Keggin became the Manx Language Development Officer for Culture Vannin, a foundation established by the government of the Isle of Man to promote Manx culture.[3]

In March 2021, Keggin and Scottish harpist Rachel Hair launched a joint crowdfunding campaign to produce a debut duo album to consist primarily of songs in the Manx language. These will include both traditional songs and songs by contemporary Manx musicians. They reached their target goal of £5,000 within 12 hours of launching the campaign and achieved a stretch goal of £10,000 after 48 hours. Some matching funds were provided by Creative Scotland. The album has also received funding from the Isle of Man Arts Council.[10]

Current and Former Collaborators
  • Erlend Apneseth - hardanger fiddle
  • Tom Callister - fiddle[11]
  • David Kilgallon
  • Vanessa McWilliam - double bass
  • Margit Myhr - voice, hardanger fiddle
  • Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin - Irish flautist and sean-nós singer
  • David Pearce - guitar
  • Rachel Hair - harp

Discography
Title Release
Sheear (‘Westward’)[12] 2014
Turrys[13] 2016

See also

References
  1. "Ruth Keggin". Manx Music.
  2. "Celtic Family Magazine Summer Issue 2015". celticfamilymagazine.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  3. "Ruth Keggin Gell". Culture Vannin. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  4. "Isle of Man folk group wins Celtic festival competition". BBC News.
  5. "Ruth Keggin solo album - Sheear". culturevannin.im.
  6. "Singer Ruth Keggin 'breathes life' into ancient language". BBC News.
  7. "Album of the Week: Ruth Keggin with 'Sheear'". celticmusicradio.net.
  8. "TOP 10 June 2014 » Irish Music Magazine". irishmusicmagazine.com.
  9. McFadyen, Neil (10 August 2016). "RUTH KEGGIN: TURRYS". Folk Radio UK. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  10. "Rachel and Ruth - a debut duo album!". Crowdfunder. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  11. "Ruth Keggin – CD Album Launch at the Centenary Centre - Isle of Man News :: isleofman.com". isleofman.com.
  12. "Living Tradition CD review of RUTH KEGGIN - Sheear". livingtradition.co.uk.
  13. Robert McMillen. "Trad/roots: Adventures in Manx with Ruth Keggin's album Turrys". The Irish News. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
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