Close to Ronaldsway Airport,
Ballasalla is another picturesque resort which
contains the ruins of the Abbey of St Mary of
Rushen, founded by the Viking king Olaf in 1134.
It fell into neglect following the dissolution of
the monasteries but still has its 14th
century Monk’s Bridge. Two other Viking kings of
Man, Reginald 11 and Magnus, are buried here.
The folk of Manxland have an
abiding passion for local mythology and at Santon
you will find the Fairy Bridge; any local gent
crossing it will almost certainly doff his cap in
deference to the Little People living below.
An aviation museum adjacent to
the airport tells the story of the island’s
aviation history while Ballasalla is the starting
point for a number of walks up to the Silverdale
pleasure park and Glen.
