There are many recognisable signs that summer is coming - the clocks change, daffodils spring up and all the Manx National Heritage (MNH) sites open for the season!
The seasonal sites will re-open to the public for the summer season tomorrow (Friday 2nd April), the first day of the Easter holidays.
In preparation for the forthcoming opening, MNH has launched a series of new developments for summer 2010. The launch of the ACE card gives Island schoolchildren the opportunity to visit all the sites for free, making it easy for them to have exciting days out in the coming months.
Child paid entry has been extended to cover children aged up to age 18 (previously 16 years) and discounted admission has been introduced for students in full time education on presentation of a valid student card. Children under 5 already receive free entry.
A range of discounted admission passes are also available, including the popular 5-site Seasonal pass and MNH’s new 10-day Explorer pass which provides unlimited entry to MNH sites for up to ten days, with the greatest savings available on MNH’s online shop.
For those who would like to become involved in MNH’s work, there is also the opportunity to join MNH’s membership organisation, the Friends of Manx National Heritage.
Howard Parkin, Public Services Manager for MNH said, "2010 is going to be an exciting season. There is a packed events programme which includes activities for children.
"These include an Easter Egg hunt at Peel Castle every day of the Easter Holidays, the Great Bug Hunt at Laxey Wheel, rock pooling at Niarbyl and activities for all ages such as the first chance for the public to experience guided tours of our large object store which is full of fascinating artefacts relating to the Island’s past".
From the Grove Museum in Ramsey to the National Folk Museum at Cregneash, all sites are open daily from 10am to 5pm until 31st October 2010.
The Manx Museum, House of Manannan, Niarbyl Cafe and The Sound Restaurant are open all year round.
A fantastic new addition to the MNH sites for 2010 is the new Abbey Restaurant. Opening later this summer, the Abbey Restaurant will be the perfect setting to linger over lunches and spend the long summer evenings in the peaceful surroundings of Rushen Abbey in Ballasalla.
Further details on the work of Manx National Heritage and forthcoming events at the MNH sites are detailed on www.storyofmann.com or in the MNH What’s On leaflet which can be downloaded from the website or picked up at the sites.
