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It may not enjoy a tropical climate but the Isle of Man
is still a ‘treasure island’ for holidaymakers, with its
own unique history, Neolithic monuments and plentiful 21st
century attractions.
Fiercely independent, it has the curious distinction
of belonging neither to the United Kingdom nor the
European Union and proudly boasts its own laws, postage
stamps, language and Viking-founded parliament, the
ancient Tynwald.
This tiny island of wild moors, rugged glens,
secluded beaches & verdant hills squats in the middle
of the Irish Sea halfway between the teeming cities of
Liverpool & Belfast.
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Touring is relatively easy since it is just 33 miles long
and 13 miles wide.
At its heart lies the 620m-high Snaefell
mountain which looks down imperiously over a landscape packed
with historical features, from stone circles, Celtic earth
‘chapels’, majestic castles, modern seaside resorts and a
up-to-date tourist attractions.
Most famous for its TT motorcycle races, which
have taken
place each summer since 1907, it has also given the world the
tail-less Manx cat and the unique four-horned Loaghtan sheep.
The island’s strange symbol The Three Legs of Man
represents independence and means "Whichever way you throw me
I stand".
These armour-clad legs have a common link to both
the Swastika and Sicily’s distinctive emblem of three naked
legs surrounding Medusa’s head – all reminders of ancient sun
worship.
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Niarbyl Coastline - Photo: IOM Tourism |
The isle even has its own tartan whose colours refer to its
landscape and flora – pale blue (for the sky), yellow (for
gorse), white (representing its cottages), green (for its
hills) and purple (for heather).
A place given to warm welcomes, in recent years the island
has become something of a hotbed for both movies and TV dramas
thanks to the Tynwald’s investment policy and the plethora of
interesting locations.
Typical of its unusual charms is a sea fog which
occasionally descends upon lowland areas and is known as
Mannan’s Cloak, a picturesque reference to an old sea god.
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Cyclist Enjoying the Coastal Views
Photo- IOM Tourism |
Attractions for families and children are numerous and
range from leisure-sports parks and nightspots to angling,
surfing, sailing, golf, riding, bowls, wildlife parks, the
Manx Museum, the House of Manannan and narrow Victorian
electric and steam railways.
The Manx Museum tells the story of the island during the
days of the Norse occupation and has natural history,
archaeological and folklore collections besides.
Bird-lovers should take a trip to the southern tip of the
island and the two-square kilometre islet called Calf of Man,
a bird sanctuary run by the Manx National Trust, though there
is a more adventurous quarry to be spotted around the west
coast – giant basking sharks.
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Although it is British, the Isle of Man is not part of
Great Britain and people born here are called Manx. Queen
Elizabeth is head of state (Lord of Mann), represented by a
Lieutenant Governor.
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The island has strong associations with the Celts and the
Vikings and its most startling man-made structure is the
four-tiered mound of earth called Tynwald Hill, a burial mound
‘adopted’ by the Vikings as a place for open-air law-making.
Early Christian priests lived in small earth sod ‘chapels’,
or Keeils, built on more than 200 sites.
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Isle of Man Countryside View -
Photo: IOM
Tourism |
Much later, Rushen Abbey became a significant religious
building, housing Cistercian monks who also founded a nunnery
on the outskirts of Douglas.
An important modern
building is The Gaiety Theatre which opened on the prom at
Douglas in 1900; it is one of the world’s finest surviving
Victorian theatres, with multiple entrances and exits designed
to prevent social classes from intermingling!
The isle also has two fine castles at Peel and Castletown.
Peel Castle dates back to 1392. Built within its walls is the
Cathedral of St German, the oldest Celtic cathedral in the
British Isles. Thirteenth century Castle Rushen, at Castletown,
is one of the most complete castles in the British Isles. Its
tallest tower rises 80 feet – with walls that are 12 feet
thick.
MOBILE TELEPHONE USE ON
ISLE OF MAN:
The Isle of Man controls
and operates its own telecommunication airspace.
Therefore, if you are planning on taking your mobile telephone
to the Isle of Man, you must ensure that:
Your network provider has
a roaming agreement with Manx Telecom.
International Roaming is enabled and that there are no call
restrictions/call barring.
Your GSM phone will support GSM900 MHz frequency or you have a
Dual band GSM phone.
When roaming, you will be
charged for both outgoing and incoming calls. Visitors from
the UK will be charged the standard national rate. (Check with
your network provider for exact call charges.)
Tourist
Information Centres:
Tourist Information
can be contacted on 01624 686766, or if you prefer
to contact one of the Tourist Information Points in the
towns around the Island, please see below.
TOURIST INFORMATION
CENTRE
Sea Terminal,
Douglas,
Isle of Man
IM1 2RG
Tel: 01624 686766
Fax: 01624 686800
Email:
tourism@gov.im
Open throughout the year, April-September 7 days a week;
October-March Mon-Fri
Airport
Tel: 01624 821600
Castletown
Tel: 01624 825005
Port St Mary
Tel: 01624 832101
Port Erin
Tel: 01624 832298
Peel
Tel: 01624 842341
Ramsey
Tel: 01624 810146
Laxey Heritage Trust
Tel: 01624 862007
Onchan
Tel: 01624 621228
Ballasalla
Tel: 01624 829526
Trailer caravans are not permitted
on the Isle of Man without a permit.
In some larger towns and villages
parking discs are required. They can be obtained free
from the Sea Terminal, airport, car hire companies and
local Commissioners Offices
Information about disabled
facilities can be obtained from the Manx Foundation for
the Physically Disabled (628926) or CIRCA (613713)
Useful
Links:
Manx Weather
Isle of Man TT Races
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