Goll as Gaccan 12.4.26 - David Kinla joins Phil for a look at all things Manx - particularly mills this week.
Get the full intelligence
Search transcripts, export clips, track mentions, and explore all topics from “Goll as Gaccan 12.4.26 - David Kinla joins Phil for a look at all things Manx - particularly mills this week.” inside PodZeus.
The Isle of Man's rich cultural and natural landscape takes center stage in this deep dive by Phil and guest David Kinley on Goll as Gaccan. The episode begins with a playful mix of Manx and English weather forecasts, setting a whimsical tone before diving into a detailed exploration of the island’s forgotten mills and their surrounding rivers. David recounts his journey tracing tributaries of the Silverburn River—from the elusive Gleon Cam Mill to the historically significant Grenaby and Craig Mills—highlighting how geography, folklore, and even cartographic errors (like a longitude line obscuring a place name) shape local history. The conversation shifts to traditional Manx place names, revealing a linguistic treasure trove: 'Balla' farms, 'Owen Vich' streams, and the mysterious 'Dumb River.' The hosts also celebrate the island’s musical heritage, spotlighting bands like Hayseed Dixie’s wild cover of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and the soulful work of the Mollig Band. The episode culminates in a forward-looking preview of an upcoming eight-part series on Manx emigration to America, promising to explore language, music, and identity across centuries. With warmth, humor, and a deep reverence for the island’s quiet history, the show becomes a love letter to the Manx countryside and its enduring stories.
The Gleon Cam Mill, with its eight-foot wheel, was a major butter churning site—its exact location remains a mystery despite detailed map searches.
Manx place names like 'Balla' and 'Owen Vich' reveal a deep-rooted agricultural and linguistic heritage, with 'Balla' meaning 'farm' and 'Owen Vich' possibly obscured by a longitude line on Ordnance Survey maps.
The Silverdale Mill, known today as the Craig Mill, once hosted one of the largest mill ponds in the Isle of Man, likely used for grain processing.
The ochre and umber mill in Castletown was a major 19th-century industry, sourcing pigments from limestone and granite-rich fields around Magnetic Hill.
David Kinley’s personal journey through the island’s rivers and mills demonstrates how local history is preserved through memory, maps, and community knowledge.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Weather, Wind, and Wandering: A Manx Morning
The episode opens with a bilingual weather forecast blending Manx and English, setting a playful tone. Phil and David discuss the island’s persistent winds, the impact on football matches, and David’s lingering illness. The hosts reflect on the unpredictability of the weather and the importance of planning around it.
The River’s Journey: Tributaries and Hidden Mills
“I've got my magnifying glass out. I cannot find this place. But it's a butter churning mill and a really quite a sizable wheel.”
Manx Place Names and the Language of the Land
“There's a longitude line going straight down where the L is. So it covers it over.”
Mills, Music, and Memory: The Heart of the Island
“The Muppets couldn't have arranged that one better. That was wonderful.”
Looking Ahead: The Manx Emigration Series
“When the listeners have heard all seven programmes, there'll be something they can identify with that they're not an anonymous emigree.”
“listeners have... listeners have heard all seven programmes, there'll be something they can identify with that they're not an anonymous emigree.”
“I've got my magnifying glass out. I cannot find this place. But it's a butter churning mill and a really quite a sizable wheel.”
“The Muppets couldn't have arranged that one better. That was wonderful.”
Host
Guest
phil
person
manx radio
organization
david kinley
person
gaelic broadcasting committee
organization
silverburn river
place
hayseed dixie
other
gleon cam mill
place
grenaby mill
place
mollig band
other
manx glass & glazing
other
Goll as Gaccan 5.4.26 - Easter customs, some Santon placenames and some mighty music thrown in too.
Goll as Gaccan • 1h 46m • 4/5/2026
Goll as Gaccan 19.4.26 - Neddy Beg Hom Ruy, John Hudson, Charles Roeder and Sophia Morrison - giants of Manx folklore collection
Goll as Gaccan • 1h 46m • 4/19/2026
Goll as Gaccan 26.4.26 - the Oie Voaldyn festival and the new Manx Language exhibition.
Goll as Gaccan • 1h 46m • 4/26/2026
Goll as Gaccan 3.5.26 - David Kinley joins Phil to discuss beetroot, Silverburn mills and the St Marks steeple.
Goll as Gaccan • 1h 44m • 5/5/2026
Goll as Gaccan 10.5.26 - Manx Gaelic and the state, Cubbin’s Bridge and the exciting Sollan project
Goll as Gaccan • 1h 45m • 5/17/2026
Get the full intelligence
Search transcripts, export clips, track mentions, and explore all topics from “Goll as Gaccan 12.4.26 - David Kinla joins Phil for a look at all things Manx - particularly mills this week.” inside PodZeus.
Start discovering podcast insights today
Start with a 7-day trial and explore a growing catalog of popular podcasts. No credit card required.
No credit card required • 7-day trial • Cancel anytime