This summer the South of the Island is set to become the central attraction for all music and arts lovers on the Isle of Man. On Friday 16th August through to Sunday 18th August, the Stone field in Port St. Mary will be home to 45 musical acts ranging from Mannin Folk to the Fletcher Christian Mutiny, the festival promises to offer something for everyone!
The festival will also be host to a Performing arts tent, Victorian funfair marquees, bouncy castles, Artisan Market as well as a farmers market and many other attractions during this fantastic weekend of Arts and Music for all the family. The Festival will open at noon each day and close at 10pm.
Bushy’s beer tent will be in the festival as well as various food outlets such as, Hog roast, Brazilian Churros, dinky donuts, a choice of Indian and Chinese food and a burger van.
The Festival was the brain child of Chris Carr who has wanted to organised something for local charity Hospice Isle of Man.
Tickets are available from the Welcome Centre, Douglas - Northern Lights, Ramsey - Celtic Gold, Peel - Thompson Travel, Port Erin - Quine and Cubbon, Port St Mary and Colby Glen Pub
Tickets for a day pass cost just ?2 for senior citizens, ?5 for an adult and ?10 for a family with all of the proceeds being donated to Rebecca House children’s hospice.
A brief history of the Giant’s Quoiting Stone, Ballacreggan, Port St Mary, which is standing in the Stone field.
For local people the Quoiting stone is nothing more than an animal scratching post, for irritant cattle on a midsummer’s day.
But when delving into history and in particular Manx history the stone has more relevance. It becomes magical and mysterious and dates from around the time of the Bronze Age, about 3000 years ago.
As legends and myths go the story reveals that the stones were once at the bottom of Mount Barrule at the foot of a giant’s cave! These stones were once playthings for the giants of Mann!
‘There were three giants on South Barrule, and they contested who could throw their stone the furthest. One giant threw one to the four roads, the second giant threw his to the Ballacreggan field, and the third threw his as far as Cronk Skibylt. The giant who threw his to Skibylt threw it the furthest.’
Is the Giant Quoiting stone that greets you at the edge of Port Le Mary one such stone?
For more information and up to date news about the festival please see the Facebook page ‘Deep South Music Fest’.
Researching your Manx family history can be a very interesting and rewarding hobby. Trace your roots in the Isle of Man with our helpful of guide.
