Heritage and History
The Isle of Man is full of old churches, medieval castles, coastal forts, Celtic and Viking stone crosses and ancient burial grounds; Many of the sites dating back centuries. After all the Story of Mann covers 10,000 years of Manx history.
The Story of Mann tells of the unique heritage of the Isle of Man. 10,000 years of Manx history are depicted in a fascinating way, beginning at the Islands' Treasure House - the Manx Museum in Douglas. As you walk into the museum, there is a short movie to help whet your appetite to find out more. From here you can begin to discover the Celts and Vikings, Early Christianity in Mann, Kings and Lords in Mann, Mann and the Sea, and Farmers and Crofters. The story continues at the House of Manannan in Peel.
Museums are just the beginning point for the Story of Mann. Once you've found out a little you can begin to explore the many historical sites for yourself. If when you visit these places, you find you want to know more, then all you need to do is ask one of the Manx National Heritage team members for more information.
Castle Rushen Castle, in the ancient capital of Mann is a magnificently restored Castle, now used as a museum as part of the Story of Mann. In its time, it would have protected the entrance to the Island up the Silverburn River.
Peel Castle, the only one on the Island to be made of Sandstone, sits just off the coast of Peel, joined only by a causeway.
With the number of hills on the Island, Hill Forts have been very popular in the past for defending the shores, as they provide excellent vantage points.
Derby Fort on St Michael's Isle, was used to protect the bay of Derby Haven lieing between the Langness peninsula and the southeastern coast of the Island.
Since the 5th Century AD, Crosses have been used in Mann as memorials and grave stones. The majority of the 204 known stones around the Island, remain in the churchyards in their parish of origin. Some stone shelters have been built to protect these amazing relics of the past.
The Celts were the first to lay crosses, with Celtic inscriptions in the written language of Ogham to commemorate the dead. You can find these crosses today in the churchyards of Maughold, Lonan, Braddan and Onchan.
When the Vikings later settled on the isle, they brought with them their own sculptors, inscribing in Norse after their earlier conversion to Christianity. These stones often pictured their pagan mythology. These stones can mainly be found in Andreas, Maughold, Jurby, Michael and Braddan.
Mackay Hugh Bailey Scott resided in the Island in the latter part of the 19th Century, first working with a Civil Engineer, then setting up his own Architectural practice in the heart of Douglas. Many of Baillie Scott's architectural masterpieces remain in the island to this day, although many have been altered in some shape or form.
Baillie Scott, originally from Ramsgate, trained as an Architect with Major C.E. Davis, the City Architect of Bath before getting married to Florence Kate Nash and moving to the Island to carry on with his architectural design.
Each Parish on the Isle of Man, of which there are many, has traditionally had its own Church and often the Parish is named after the church; for example Kirk Braddan.
Around the Island, you can find these Parish churches along with many other chapels. Ancient Keeills, small derelict churches, are commonplace in the countryside. One of these is Lag ny Keeilley which sits in an isolated spot along an old pack horse route on the West coast of the Island.
One of the first things a visitor to the Island will see is some of our magnificent gardens. The sunken gardens which run along the promenade in Douglas welcome visitors from the sea whilst the gardens in front of the airport - where the Three Legs of Mann relax - welcome visitors from the air.
The new Cooil y Ree (Nook of Kings) gardens in St Johns were oficially opened on Tynwald Day 2001 by Former President of Tynwald, Sir Charles Kerruish. The garden is a three-acre site near Tynwald Hill, being landscaped to create a beautiful garden which vistors can wander through at their own pace.
Ballalheannagh gardens on the outskirts of Laxey allow you to wander through an enchanting glen, past waterfalls, streams, ornaments and an astonishing array of plantlife. There are a number of trails through the glen for visitors to enjoy at their own pace.
The history of the Island includes a number of mines located around the countryside. Trains used to join all the mines although these have now been taken out of use and replaced by long distance footpaths.
Laxey Mines are perhaps the most famous, and were once the largest source of Zinc Ore in the British Isles, whilst Lady Isabella - the largest water wheel in the world - stood over the mine continually pumping out the water. You can now retrace the steps the miners once took into the mouth of the mine when you visit Laxey, whilst the most adventurous even go caving deep down within the mine.