Museums, archives and heritage on the Isle of Man

Man, Isle of, situated in the Irish Sea, 16 miles S. of Burrow Head, Wigtownshire, 27 miles SW. of St Bees Head, Cumberland, and 27 miles W. of Strangford Lough, county Down; greatest length, NE. to SW., 33 miles; greatest breadth, E. to W., 12½ miles; area, 145,325 acres, population 54,089. A precipitous islet, called the Calf of Man, is situated off the SW. extremity, and contains about 800 acres. On the Isle of Man itself a range of mountains runs NE. to SW.- from Maughold Head to the Calf – occupying the greater part of the island, the highest elevation being Snaefell (2034 ft). Amidst the mountains are the sources of the Sulby, Neb, Douglas, and other streams. The island contains no lakes. The coast on the SW. is rugged and precipitous, the cliffs in some places rising sheer from the sea to a height of over 1400 ft.; on the SE. it is generally low, with gradual elevations towards the mountains. On the E. are numerous creeks and bays, including Douglas Bay and Laxey Bay. Clay slate is the formation of the greater part of the island; granite and other eruptive rocks have burst through in one or two localities. Lead, copper, zinc, and iron are the principal minerals; the lead ore especially is rich and plentiful, yielding about 4000 tons a year. The land generally is in a high state of cultivation, scientific farming having greatly increased its richness and fertility. All along the coast sea fishing is actively prosecuted, and gives employment to several thousands of fishermen. For anglers the various streams present exceptional attractions, being well stocked with trout, &c. The shipping is almost wholly connected with coasting trade, which shows a considerable amount of activity. Manufactures are inconsiderable, and in the main consist of Manx cloth, cordage, nets, and canvas. Railway communication exists between the various towns, and there are numerous excellent roads. The island has a distinct bishopric, with the designation of Sodor and Man; the former name being derived from the Sudoreys, or Southern Islands, which were at one time politically connected with them. The island has a government and constitution of its own, also laws, law officers, and courts. The House of Keys, which controls its legislature, is very ancient, and consists of 24 members. Man is divided into 6 sheadings, having 17 parishes, which are subdivided into treens and quarterlands. The principal towns are Douglas, Castletown, Ramsey, and Peel. Castletown is the ancient capital, but Douglas is the chief town and the seat of government.

– John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887)

Castle Rushen

Castle Street

Castletown IM9 1LD

01624 648000

goo.gl/vSRRt6

Situated at the heart of the Isle of Man’s ancient capital, Castletown, this impressive limestone fortress was the seat of the former Kings and Lords of Mann, with the castle’s oldest parts dating to the time of Magnus, last Norse King of Mann, who died in 1265. Later the castle served as an administrative centre, a mint, a law court, and for over 100 years until the late 19th century, as a prison. Today, spectacular displays illustrate the castle at various times in history, with figures in period costume, historical furnishings, wall hangings, realistic food, contemporary music and speech brining the castle’s medieval and 17th century periods to life.

Great Laxey Wheel & Mines Trail, The

Mines Road

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01624 648000

goo.gl/HXWzfB

Built in 1854 to pump water from the Laxey mines, the Laxey Wheel is the world’s greatest industrial water wheel. Known as ‘Lady Isabella’, a climb to the top of the Wheel is rewarded with breathtaking views across the valley, while the ‘mines trail’ displays the remains of a once thriving industrial complex and offers a pleasant walk through Glen Mooar.

Grove, The: Museum of Victorian Life

Andreas Road

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01624 648000

goo.gl/JfCmc9

Originally developed as the summer retreat for a wealthy Victorian merchant, The Grove tells the story of the Gibbs – a wealthy Victorian family in the Isle of Man. The period rooms in this modest sized Victorian villa display sumptuous original furnishings, costumes and a wealth of accumulated possessions, while the small complex of outbuildings shows the early farm vehicles and equipment that would have been used.

House of Manannan

Peel Quayside

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01624 648000

goo.gl/bosg1A

The mythological sea god, Manannan, guides you through the island’s rich Celtic, Viking and maritime past, over 2000 years of unique Manx heritage. Step inside splendid reconstructions of a Manx Celtic roundhouse and a Viking longhouse.

Isle of Man Family History Society

4 Eleanoa Gardens

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www.iomfhs.im

The Isle of Man Family History Society was formed in January 1979 to encourage the study of genealogy and family history.

Manx Aviation & Military Museum

Ronaldsway Airfield

Nr Ballasalla IM9 2AS

01624 829294

www.maps.org.im/museum

The museum is dedicated to the Manx men and women who served their island in the cause of freedom; to those people of other nations who were brought to our shores by wartime service and to all those who, in war and peace, have lost their lives in the Isle of Man in aviation accidents.

Manx Museum

Kingswood Grove

Douglas IM1 3LY

01624 648000

goo.gl/ou38Gk

The island’s treasure house provides an exciting introduction to the ‘story of Mann’ where a specially produced film portrayal of Manx history compliments the award winning displays. Galleries depict natural history, archaeology and social development of the island.

Manx National Heritage

Manx Museum, Kingswood Grove

Douglas IM1 3LY

01624 648000

www.storyofmann.com

Manx National Heritage is the national heritage agency for the Isle of Man, operating integrated cultural and natural heritage services and museums on behalf of the Manx people under the banner of the Story of Mann.

National Folk Museum at Cregneash, The

Arbrory Road

Cregneash IM9 5PT

01624 648000

www.storyofmann.com

Cregneash is the living, working illustration of 19th and 20th century Manx crofting life. Visitors can see traditional farming methods and skills in action, including the fields being worked with horse-drawn equipment, the processing of Manx loghtan wool, and woodturning in the Turner’s Shed.

Nautical Museum

Parliament Square

Castletown IM9 1LA

01624 648000

www.storyofmann.com

Home of George Quayle’s 18th century armed yacht ‘The Peggy’, this fascinating building perserves Quayle’s mysterious architectural designs, and houses a replica sailmaker’s loft. In the fishing gallery, you’ll find a collection of boat models, equipment and photographs which reflect the importance of the Manx fishing industry.

Old Grammar School

St Mary’s Chapel

Castletown IM9 1LE

01624 648000

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Built around 1200 as the first town church, St Mary’s Chapel changed its role from 1570 to become the Grammar School, which closed in 1930. Rows of bench desks with ink wells are reminders of early Victorian school days.

Old House of Keys, The

Parliament Square

Castletown IM9 1LA

01624 648000

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Inside the finely restored 19th century home of the Manx Parliament, visitors become members of the House of Keys through the ages, debating and deciding upon momentous issues from Manx political history. Should women be given the vote? Should motor racing be allowed on Manx public roads? Listen to the arguments for and against and then cast your vote..

Peel Castle

St Patrick’s Isle

Peel IM5 1TB

01624 648 000

www.storyofmann.com

One of the island’s principle historic centres, this great natural fortress with its imposing curtain wall set majestically at the mouth of Peel Harbour is steeped in Viking heritage. The sandstone walls of Peel Castle enclose an 11th century church and the Round Tower, the 13th century St German’s Cathedral and the later apartments of the Lords of Mann.

Rushen Abbey

Mill Road

Ballasalla IM9 3DB

01624 648000

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Located in Ballasalla, Rushen Abbey is the Isle of Man’s most substantial and important religious site, the highlight of a ‘Christian Heritage’ route around the island which includes ancient kiells and the carved stone crosses which can be found at parish churches and chapels throughout the Isle of Man. Explore the roots of Manx Christianity, the work of the Cistercian monks and life within the Abbey, before its closure in 1540.