The Reih Bleeaney Vanannan (, , ) is the Isle of Man's most prestigious and highest national award for culture, it is awarded annually.'Reih Bleeaney Vanannan 2013' on the Ynsee Gaelg website (accessed 15 August 2013) It is presented by Culture Vannin to the person or group who has made the most outstanding contribution to Manx culture. It is typically presented by the President of Culture Vannin in January.
Recipients of the Reih Bleeaney Vanannan are entitled to use the letters RBV after their name. They hold the trophy for one year, as well as receiving a medal and a donation to be split between themselves and a Manx cultural cause of their choice.'The Manx Heritage Foundation Reih Bleeaney Vanannan Trophy' on www.manxmusic.com (access 15 August 2013)
The RBV was first awarded in 1987 as part of Culture Vannin's overarching policy "to support and promote Manx culture,"'Who We Are' on the Culture Vannin website (accessed 15 February 2014) as established at its creation in 1982 under its original name, the Manx Heritage Foundation.Manx Heritage Foundation Act (1982). Available at https://www.legislation.gov.im/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/1982/1982-0012/1982-0012_1.pdf The panel of assessors for the award is appointed by Culture Vannin and represents the key Manx cultural organisations. The panel consists of representatives from Yn Çheshaght Ghailckagh, Yn Chruinnaght, the Isle of Man Arts Council, Culture Vannin and Manx National Heritage. Nominations are invited from the public in November of each year.
The RBV trophy consists of the figure of the sea-god Manannan standing on a piece of Pooilvaaish marble, resting on a plinth. It also contains traces of quartz from the South Barrule, one of Manannan's fortresses, and a brooch of Laxey silver in the form of the Three Legs of Man presented by Mona Douglas.'National Award' from Our Heritage Still: More Memories of the Past in Rushen, Book Four, Douglas: Norris Modern Press, 1986 (accessed on the Rushen Heritage Trust Facebook page, 29 January 2015) It was designed by the late Eric Austwick. The medal presented to each recipient is designed by Jennie Kissack and executed in silver and enamel by Tony Lewis of Peel.'Reih Bleeaney Vanannan' on the Culture Vannin website (accessed 15 February 2014)
Recipients of the Reih Bleeaney Vanannan award +Recipients of the Reih Bleeaney Vannanan Award 1 Maureen Costain Richards'National Award' from Our Heritage Still: More Memories of the Past in Rushen, Book Four, Douglas: Norris Modern Press, 1986 (accessed on the Rushen Heritage Trust Facebook page, 29 January 2015) 1986 2 Mona Douglas 1989 3 Constance Radcliffe 1990 4 Geoffrey Crellin 1991 5 Colin Jerry 1992 6 John Gelling 1993 7 Robert Thomson 1994 8 Jane Narasimham 1995 9 Mike Boulton 1996 10 Leslie Quirk 1997 11 Fred Radcliffe 1998 12 Allan Skillan 1999 13 Tony Hopson 2000 14 Walter Clarke 2001 15 Marshall Cubbon 2002 16 Frank Cowin 2003 17 Leslie Quilliam 2004 18 Juan Crellin 2005 19 Bunscoill Ghaelgagh'Reih Bleeaney Vanannan' in New Manx Worthies ed. Dollin Kelly, Douglas, Manx National Heritage, 2006 2006 20 Dollin Kelly 2007 21 Brian Stowell'Dr Brian Stowell receives top Manx cultural award' on IOM Today (accessed 15 August 2013) 2008 22 Robert Farrer 2009 22 Joan Caine'Reih Bleeaney Vanannan 2010' on the North American Manx Association website (accessed 15 August 2013) 2010 23 Fenella Bazin'Dr Fenella Bazin receives prestigious cultural award' on isleofman.com (accessed 15 August 2013) 2011 24 Manx Folk Dance Society'Reih Bleeaney Vanannan' on the Manx Folk Dance Society website (accessed 15 August 2013) 2012 25 Robert Corteen Carswell‘Manx Culture Award for Bob’ on IOM Today (accessed 15 August 2013) 2013 26 Clare Kilgallon'Clare Kilgallon awarded Reih Bleeaney Vanannan prize' on Manx Radio (accessed 15 February 2014) 2014 27 William Cain'Culture award for former deemster' on Manx Radio (accessed 2 February 2015) 2015 28 Bernard Caine and John Kennaugh'Cultural champions are honoured posthumously' on IOM Today (accessed 9 February 2016) 2016 29 The Michael Players'Michael Players, Guardians of Manx Dialect Manuscripts' on Manx Radio (accessed 17 January 2017) 2017 30 Phil Kelly'RBV award to Phil' on IOM Today (accessed 19 March 2018)'RBV award ceremony 2018: Phil Kelly' on SoundCloud (accessed 19 March 2018) 201831 John Kaneen2019 32Stephen Miller202033Peter Kelly202134Nigel Crowe202235Fiona McArdle202336Adrian Corkill202437Annie Kissack2025
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