Isle of Man travel guide
This self-governing British Crown Dependency is located in the Irish Sea between Ireland and England. The island has been inhabited since 6,500 BC and has possibly the oldest Parliament in the world. This ancient institution is called Tynwald. The culture has been influenced by Celtic and Norse occupancy. This little island has tons of folklore based on myth and legend. It is believed that the island was ruled by Manannan Mac Lir, the Celtic Sea God and he protected it with his misty cloak. You will hear stories of Maddey Dhuo, the ghostly black dog that wanders the halls of Peel Castle. The Manx people also believe their island is home to fairies so, don’t forget to wish the fairies good day when crossing the fairy bridge.
There are many ancient sites to be seen on the island. Peel Castle is highly recommended. It’s located near the harbor of Peel. The castle was built in 1392 by William le Scrope. It is believed that this is the first place St. Patrick brought Christianity when he came to the island in 1226. It has also been suggested that Peel Castle is the location of the Avalon in Arthurian legend. It’s also been suggested that it’s the location of Grail Castle were Lancelot encountered the sword bridge of King Malagaunt. Castle Rushen is also a great place to see if you’re on the island. It’s a wonderful example of a medieval castle. No one is exactly sure when it was built but some have ventured to guess around 1200. It was the residence of the last Norse King to rule the island. It’s located in the town center in Castletown. One last suggestion for you is Corrin’s Tower, also known as Corrin’s Folley. It was built in 1806 by Thomas Corrin and sits on the hill overlooking the city of Peel. These are just a few highlights of the history rich island and the treasure it holds.
Photo by James.Stringer on flickr
