Ruth Keggin

Biography

Ruth Keggin Gell is a Manx Gaelic singer-songwriter.

Early life and education

Keggin was born in Port Erin, Isle of Man. She holds degrees from the University of York and the University of Cambridge.

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.
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." Keggin's album has held popularity in the Celtic genre, becoming album of the week on Celtic Music Radio and listed as number one in Japan’s ‘Top 10’.
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."
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.
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.

Current and former collaborators

Erlend Apneseth - hardanger fiddle
Tom Callister - fiddle
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