Manx Celtic Activist Roly Drower dies

Roly Drower, who has died this week, was known variously on the Isle
of Man for his work within the Arts scene, most notably as an organiser
of the Sulby Fringe, but perhaps more prominently for his political
comment and as a satirist.

That he loved the Isle of Man and despaired of the way the current
government was taking it is best evidenced by his speech at the annual
Illiam Dhone commemoration in January 2005 when he gave a scathing
critique of ministerial government during which he observed:

"It is a source of endless despair to me that politicians charged
with planning for the future seem to be unable to see beyond their
own brief lifetimes. They handle the future the same way a dysfunctional
parent handles a credit card. They live for the moment, cashing in
the pension, heaping hire-purchase agreements on their grand-children,
content to extend the patio onto the vegetable garden, and then describe
that as 'sustainable growth"

Roly Drower had been asked to speak at the Illiam Dhone commemoration
after he had been catapulted to prominence both within Mann, the United
Kingdom and Internationally following court proceedings brought against
him by multi-millionaire, Albert Gubay, following the publication
of articles on a satirical website.

His speech (see link below) at Hango hill in 2005 is one of the finest
commentaries made there on current Manx political life, on the way
we all are allowing the Island to be taken and the impact that this
will ultimately have on our children.

Roly Drower was a fine man who, like so many others, will perhaps
only have his true worth and commitment to Manx public life recognised
after his death.

The Celtic League and all in the nationalist movement extend our sympathy
to his family and friends at this sad time.


Illiam Dhone commemoration speech at:

http://www.mecvannin.im/pabyr/pb34.html#8
(2005 Illiam Dhone English Oration by Roly Drower)

News item Manx Radio - Tribute to Roly Drower at:
http://www.manxradio.com/readNEwsItem.aspx?id=20154

Related articles on Celtic News at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/1641
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/1629
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/1598
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/1578
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/1554
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/1542

J B Moffatt
Director of Information
Celtic League

13/05/08


The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works
to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a
broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights
human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on
socio-economic issues.

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