Isle of Man

Ellan Vannin Isle of Man
Coat of arms of the Isle of Man Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Quocunque Jeceris Stabit (Latin) Whithersoever you throw it, it will stand
Anthem: Isle of Man National Anthem
Capital	Douglas 54°09′N 4°29′W
Largest city	capital
Official languages	Manx, English
Government	Crown dependency (UK) Parliamentary democracy (Constitutional monarchy)
- Lord of Mann	Elizabeth II
- Lieutenant Governor	Sir Paul Haddacks
- First Deemster	Michael Kerruish
- President of Tynwald	Noel Cringle
- Chief Minister	Tony Brown
Status	Crown dependency
- Revested in British crown	1765
Area
- Total	572 km² (190th) 221 sq mi
- Water (%)	0
Population
- Density	131.2/km² 339.6/sq mi
GDP (PPP)	2003 estimate
- Total	$2.113 billion
- Per capita	$35,000
HDI  (n/a)	n/a (unranked)
Currency	Pound sterling1 (GBP)
Time zone	GMT (UTC+0)
- Summer (DST)	(UTC+1)
Internet TLD	.im
Calling code	+44

The Isle of Man (Template:Lang-gv, pronounced /ˈɛlʲən ˈvanɪn/) is a self-governing British Crown dependency, located in the Irish Sea at the geographical centre of the British Isles.

The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Crown is represented by a Lieutenant Governor. The island is not part of the United Kingdom, but external relations, defence, and ultimate good-governance of the Isle of Man are the responsibility of the government of the UK.

The Isle of Man is not a part of the European Union, but has a limited relationship relating to the free movement of goods.

Geography

Map of the Isle of Man

As well as the main island of Man itself, the Isle of Man includes the small partially inhabited islands of the Calf of Man, Chicken Rock and St Patrick's Isle.

The Isle of Man is located geographically in the middle of the Irish Sea, which is connected to the Atlantic Ocean, by St George's Channel between the Republic of Ireland and Wales and Cornwall to the south, and by the North Channel between Northern Ireland and Scotland.

The Isle of Man is part of the British Isles, an archipelago off the north-western coast of mainland Europe. The island lies in the Irish Sea, approximately equidistant between England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Approximately 32 miles (48 kilometers) long and between eight and 15 miles (13 and 24 kilometers) wide, the island has an area of around 221 square miles (572km²).

A view up a glen with Snaefell at the head.

Hills in the north and south are bisected by a central valley. The extreme north is exceptionally flat, consisting mainly of deposits built up by deposition from glacial advances from Western Scotland during colder times. There are more recently deposited shingle beaches at the Point of Ayre. It has only one mountain higher than 2000 feet, Snaefell, with a height of 2036 feet (621 meters). According to an old saying, from the summit one can see six kingdoms: those of Mann, Scotland, England, Ireland, Wales, and Heaven.

The Isle of Man has a temperate climate, with cool summers and mild winters. Average rainfall is high compared to the majority of the British Isles, due to its location to the western side of Great Britain and sufficient distance from Ireland for moisture to be accumulated by the prevailing south-westerly winds. Average rainfall is highest at Snaefell, where it is around 75 inches (1900mm) a year. At lower levels it can fall to around 32 inches (800mm) a year. Temperatures remain fairly cool, with the recorded maximum being 84°F (28.9°C) at Ronaldsway. The Isle of Man is known for its overcast skies and low levels of sunshine.

A Manx cat — stumpy version.

The island's landscape lacks trees except in sheltered places. Best-known among the island's unusual fauna" is the Manx cat, which in the pure 'rumpy' version has no tail at all, while a "stumpy" has a vestige of a tail. Loaghtan sheep - with four horns - are unique to the Isle of Man. During the summer, giant basking sharks are often seen in Manx waters. Foxes are forbidden by law but some were illegally introduced in the 1980s and a handful still survive. There are also small numbers of feral goats and descendants of red-necked wallabies that escaped captivity many years ago. Other natives are the Manx Robber Fly, Isle of Man cabbage and Manx Marvel tomato.

Some animal species and breeds once existed on the Isle of Man but are now extinct. Manx cattle went extinct c. 1815. Manx horses also went extinct c. 1820-1830. The Manx pig were known to the locals as 'purrs'. Juniper Juniperis communis, went extinct in the 20th century. It suffered a major decline after its uses for firewood and gin making ceased. Climate change is suspected to have made the population that was left infertile.

There are few severe natural hazards, the most common being high winds, rough seas and dense fog. In recent years there has been a marked increase in the frequency of high winds, high rains, summer droughts and flooding from both from heavy rain and from high seas. Snow fall has decreased significantly over the past century while temperatures are increasing year round with rainfall decreasing.

Air pollution, marine pollution and waste disposal are issues on this small island.

Global Warming and a sea level rise potentially poses a great threat to the Isle of Man. All of the island's towns are at threat from rising sea levels while the Northern Plain, a large, flat and low-lying plain composed of soft marine sediments and glacial material which makes up about a quarter of the Island's landmass is in danger of being lost to the sea over the next two centuries. The same is true for the considerably smaller Southern Plain surrounding the settlements of Castletown and Ballasalla and including Ronaldsway Airport.

Douglas (Doolish in Manx) is the capital and its largest town. It is the Island's hub for business, finance, shipping, transport, shopping and entertainment. It is also home of the Isle of Man Government. Douglas had a population of 26,218 in 2006 census, which was almost one-third of the Isle of Man's entire population.

Peel (Template:Lang-gv – Port of the Island) is often called the only city in the Isle of Man because it is the home of the Island's cathedral. It is the fourth largest town on the island after Douglas, Onchan and Ramsey. Its population was 3785 in 2001.

View of the bay in Douglas.

History

The Isle of Man became an island around 8500 years ago when rising sea levels caused by the melting glaciers cut Mesolithic Britain off from continental Europe. A land bridge had existed between the Isle of Man and Cumbria prior to this date. The Isle of Man has been inhabited by humans since this period.

The island became the home to Irish colonists. Manx, a Goidelic language, provides the main evidence of this. The island's conversion to Christianity has been attributed to St Maughold (Maccul), an Irish missionary. The island's name derives from Manannan, the Brythonic and Gaelic equivalent of Neptune.

Viking settlement

Between about 800 and 815 C.E., Vikings came to Man chiefly for plunder. Between about 850 and 990, when they settled in it, the island fell under the rule of the Scandinavian kings of Dublin, and between 990 and 1079, it became subject to the powerful earls of Orkney. There was a mint producing coins on Man between c.1025 and c.1065. These Manx coins were minted from an imported type 2 Hiberno-Norse penny die from Dublin. Hiberno-Norse coins were first minted under Sihtric, king of Dublin, meaning Man may have been under Dublin domination at this time.

The Norse Kingdom of Mann and the Isles was created by Godred Crovan in 1079. The isle was a dependency of Norway until 1266. During this period Man came under a Scandinavian system of government that has remained practically unchanged. During Viking times, the islands of the Norse Kingdom of Mann and the Isles were called the Súðreyjar or Sudreys ("southern isles") in contrast to the Norðreyjar ("northern isles") of Orkney and Shetland. This became Sodor.

Olaf, Godred's son, maintained a close alliance with the kings of Ireland and Scotland during his time (1113 - 1152). His son, Godred (reigned 1153 - 1158), who for a short period ruled over Dublin, as a result of a quarrel with the ruler of Argyll, in 1156, lost the smaller islands off the coast of Argyll. An independent sovereignty thus appeared between the two divisions of his kingdom.

Ceded to Scotland

File:Alexander III.jpg

Alexander III.

In response to Scottish interest, by Alexander III of Scotland in 1261, and after theBattle of Largs against of the Norwegian fleet in 1263, King Magnus VI of Norway ceded the islands, including Man, to Scotland in the Treaty of Perth in 1266. But Scotland's rule over Man did not become firmly established till 1275, when the Manx suffered defeat in the Battle of Ronaldsway, near Castletown.

English dominance

Edward I depicted in Cassell's History of England (1902)

In 1290, King Edward I of England took control of Man, which remained in English hands till 1313, when Robert Bruce took it after besieging Castle Rushen for five weeks. Then, until 1346, when the Battle of Neville's Cross decided the long struggle between England and Scotland in England's favour, there followed a confused period when Man sometimes experienced English rule and sometimes Scottish.

About 1333, King Edward III of England granted Man to William de Montacute, 3rd Baron Montacute, (later the 1st Earl of Salisbury), as his absolute possession, without reserving any service to be rendered to him. In 1392, Montacute's son sold the island, including sovereignty, to Sir William le Scrope. In 1399 King Henry IV had Le Scrope beheaded for taking the side of Richard II.

The Crown took possession of the island, and granted it to Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland, but Henry IV, in 1405, made a lifetime grant of it to Sir John Stanley, which was extended – on a feudatory basis – to Sir John's heirs and assigns, the feudal fee being the service of rendering homage and two falcons to all future Kings of England on their coronations.

The Stanleys, who refused to take the title of "king" but adopted the title "Lord of Mann", brought a better epoch in Manx history. Though the island's new rulers rarely visited, they placed it under responsible governors. The first Stanley curbed the power of the spiritual barons, introduced trial by jury instead of trial by battle, and ordered the laws to be written.

English civil war

Charles I.

In 1643, Charles I ordered James Stanley, the 7th Earl to go to Mann to avert a threatened revolt. Despite some improvements, the Manx people had less liberty under Stanley's rule, were heavily taxed, and were compelled to accept leases for three lives instead of holding their land by the equivalent of a customary inheritance. Six months after the death of King Charles (January 30, 1649), Stanley was summonsed to surrender the island, which he haughtily declined. In August 1651, he went to England with some of his troops to join King Charles II, and shared in the decisive defeat of the Royalists at the Battle of Worcester. He was captured and confined in Chester Castle, tried by court martial, and executed at Bolton in October 1651.

Rebellion

Soon after Stanley's death, the Manx Militia, under the command of William Christian (known by his Manx name of Illiam Dhone), rebelled and captured all the insular forts except Rushen and Peel. They were joined by a parliamentary force under Colonel Duckenfield, to whom the countess surrendered. Oliver Cromwell appointed Thomas Fairfax Lord of Mann and the Isles in September, so that Man continued under a monarchical government.

Tenancy dispute, smuggling

The Stanley government was restored in 1660. The new lord, Charles (the 8th Earl), had Christian tried and executed, but granted amnesty to most other rebels. Stanley disputed the permanency of the tenants' holdings, a proceeding which led to rebellion and to the neglect of agriculture. Tenants involved themselves in fishing and smuggling.

The agrarian question subsided only in 1704, when James, Charles's brother and successor, entered into a compact with his tenants, which became embodied in the Act of Settlement. Their compact secured the tenants in the possession of their estates in perpetuity on condition of a fixed rent, and a small fine on succession or alienation. The Manx people called this act their Magna Carta. As time went on, and the value of the estates increased, the rent payable to the Lord became so small as to be almost nominal, being extinguished by purchase in 1916.

James died in 1736, and the suzerainty of the isle passed to James Murray, 2nd Duke of Atholl. In 1764 he was succeeded by his only surviving child Charlotte, Baroness Strange, and her husband, John Murray, who (in right of his wife) became Lord of Mann.

Feudal rights sold to British government

Smuggling increased during the last years of the Atholl regime (1756 - 1765), cutting into British government revenue. To stop the smuggling, parliament passed the Isle of Man Purchase Act in 1765, also known as the Act of Revestment, which purchased the feudal rights of the Dukes of Atholl as Lords of Man over the Isle of Man, including the customs revenues of the island, and revested them into the British Crown. For the sum of £70,000 and an annuity to the duke and duchess, the Atholls retained their manorial rights, the patronage of the bishopric, and certain other perquisites, until they sold them for the sum of £417,144 in 1828.

Before the revestment, the island's parliament, or Tynwald, governed and had control over the finances of the island, subject to the approval of the lord. After the revestment, or rather after the passage of the Mischief Act in the same year, the Parliament at Westminster legislated on the island's customs, harbours and merchant shipping, and assumed the control of the island's customs duties.

Rather than transferring full suzerainty to the King of Great Britain and Ireland, revestment meant the Isle of Man's ancient laws and tenures remained untouched. While hereditary Lords had taken some interest in the well-being of the inhabitants, after revestment, governance became the work of officials who regarded the island as a nest of smugglers, from which to extract as much revenue as possible.

The British Government acquired the Atholl family's remaining prerogatives on the island in 1828.

World war internment camps

A satellite picture of the Isle of Man.

The Isle of Man was used as a base for Alien Civilian Internment camps in both the First World War (1914-18) and the Second World War (1939-45). During the First World War there were two camps, one a requisitioned holiday camp in Douglas and the other a purpose built camp at Knockaloe in the parish of Patrick. During the Second World War there were a number of smaller camps in Douglas, Peel, Port Erin, and Ramsey.

Tax haven

As the twentieth century progressed, the Manx tourist economy declined as the English and Irish started flying to Spain for holidays. The Manx government responded by making the island a tax haven. While this helped the Manx economy, detractors have pointed to corruption in the finance industry and money laundering. This has given the biggest impetus to Manx nationalism in recent years, spawning the parties Mec Vannin and the MNP, as well as the now defunct Fo Halloo (literally 'Underground'), which mounted a direct-action campaign of spray-painting and attempted house-burning.

Government and politics

Isle of Man politics take place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic British Crown dependency, whereby the Chief Minister is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in the bicameral Tynwald. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.

The Isle of Man is not part of the United Kingdom or the European Union. However, the Isle of Man is a Crown dependency, and the United Kingdom has responsibility for all external, citizenship, good governance, and defence affairs.

The island has no representation at either the UK or EU parliaments. The island is governed by Tynwald, said to be the world's oldest continuously existing parliament.

Executive

The Head of State is the Lord of Mann, which is a hereditary position held by the British monarch (Queen Elizabeth II in 2007). The Lieutenant Governor is appointed by the Queen, on the advice of the UK's Secretary of State for Justice, for a five-year term and nominally exercises executive power on behalf of the Queen. The Chief Minister is elected by Tynwald following every House of Keys general election and serves for five years until the next general election. Most executive powers are vested in the Governor-in-Council, the Chief Minister, or the Council of Ministers.

Legislature

The Manx legislature is Tynwald, which consists of two chambers. Nominally founded in 979 AD, the Tynwald is arguably the oldest continuous parliament in the world. The House of Keys has 24 members, elected for a five year term in multi- and single-seat constituencies by the whole island. The Legislative Council has eleven members, the President of Tynwald, Bishop of Sodor and Man, the Attorney General and eight other members who are elected from the general population (often they are already Members of the House of Keys) by the House of Keys for a five-year term. Suffrage is universal to all 16 years of age and over.

Most Manx politicians stand for election as independents rather than as representatives of political parties. Though political parties do exist, their influence is not nearly as strong as is the case in the United Kingdom. The largest political party is the Liberal Vannin Party, which promotes greater Manx independence and more accountability in Government. The LibVannin party has two members of Tynwald including Leader Peter Karran MHK. A nationalist pressure group Mec Vannin advocates the establishment of a sovereign republic.

The annual ceremonial meeting in July on Tynwald Day, the Island's national day, continues to be held at Tynwald Hill, where titles are announced and a brief description of the new laws enacted by the Tynwald Court during the previous year is given.

The UK Parliament has paramount power to legislate for the Isle of Man on all matters but it is a long-standing convention that it does not do so on domestic ('insular') matters without Tynwald's consent. The UK's secondary legislation (regulations and Statutory Instruments) cannot be extended to apply to the Isle of Man.

The Isle of Man is subject to certain European Union laws, by virtue of a being a territory for which the UK has responsibility in international law. These laws are in areas excluded in the Isle of Man in its accession treaty – free movement of persons, services and capital and taxation and social policy harmonisation. The Isle of Man has had disputes with the European Court of Human Rights because it was late to change its laws concerning birching (corporal punishment) and sodomy.

Judiciary

Isle of Man sheadings

Bailiffs and lay Justices of the Peace preside over the lowest courts. The High Court consists of three civil divisions and is presided over by a Deemster. The Court of General Gaol Delivery is the criminal court for serious offences. Appeals are dealt with by the Staff of Government Division with final appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in the United Kingdom. The head of the judiciary is the First Deemster and Clerk of the Rolls. Justices are appointed by the Lord Chancellor of England on the nomination of the lieutenant governor. Capital punishment in the Isle of Man was formally abolished by Tynwald in 1993 (although the last execution on the island took place in 1872).

The legal system is Manx customary law, a form of common law. Manx law originally derived from Gaelic Brehon law and Norse Udal law. Since those early beginnings, Manx law has developed under the heavy influence of English Common Law, and the uniqueness of the Brehon and Udal foundation is now most apparent only in property and constitutional areas of law.

Citizenship

Citizenship is covered by United Kingdom law, and Manx people are classed as British citizens, although those without a grandparent born in the UK (or who have not lived continuously for a period of five or more years in the UK) do not have the same rights as other British Citizens with regard to employment and establishment in the EC. Similarly, citizens of the United Kingdom are subject to the Manx permit laws regarding employment in the Isle of Man.

Sheadings

Local government on the Isle of Man is based around the concept of ancient parishes. The Isle of Man is divided into six sheadings — Ayre, Glenfaba, Garff, Michael, Rushen and Middle. The sheadings form the basis of some constituencies and each has a Coroner. This office must not be confused with the Coroner for Inquests, a role usually fulfilled by the High Bailiff. A person may fulfil the role of coroner for more than one sheading at the same time.

The term "sheading" is thought to be a Norse word for "ship division"; each district was believed to be responsible for producing a certain number of warships. It could also be a Celtic word meaning "sixth part". Under the sheadings there are three types of local authorities: a borough corporation, town commissions, and parish commissions.

Economy

Though fishing, agriculture, and smuggling were formerly important, offshore financial services, high-technology manufacturing, and tourism from Britain are are key sectors of the economy. The government offers incentives to high-technology companies and financial institutions to locate on the island; this has paid off in expanding employment opportunities in high-income industries. The Manx government promotes island locations for making films by contributing to the production costs. The Isle of Man also attracts online gambling sites and the film industry. Trade is mostly with the UK. The Isle of Man enjoys free access to EU markets.

The Isle of Man is a low tax economy with no capital gains tax, wealth tax, stamp duty, death duty or inheritance tax and income tax rates of 10 percent and 18 percent; corporation tax is at 0 percent. Trade takes place mostly with the United Kingdom. Exports include tweeds, herring, processed shellfish, beef, and lamb, while imports include timber, fertilizers, and fish.

Per capita GDP was $35,000 in 2005, a rank of 11th worldwide. Unemployment was 0.6 percent in 2004, and there was no report of people living at or below the poverty line.

Demographics

Population

The modern Anglican Peel Cathedral.

According to the 2006 interim census, the Isle of Man is home to 80,058 people, of whom 26,218 reside in the island's capital Douglas. Those born in the Isle of Man make up 47.6 percent of the population, in England 37.2 percent, Scotland 3.4 percent, Northern Ireland 2.1 percent, Republic of Ireland 2.1 percent, Wales 1.2 percent, Channel Islands 0.3 percent, while 6.1 percent come from the rest of the world. Inhabitants are a mixture of Manx people, who are of Norse-Celtic descent, and Britons. Life expectancy for the total population was 78.64 years in 2007.

Religion

Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Society of Friends are the Christian denominations represented on the Isle of Man. Sodor and Man is a diocese of the Church of England. Originally much larger, today it covers just the Isle of Man and its adjacent islets. Since Man is outside of the United Kingdom, the Bishop does not count as a Lord Spiritual and does not sit in the House of Lords of the United Kingdom. However, he is a member of the Legislative Council of the Isle of Man.

Language

Many places, such as Douglas, sport bilingual welcome signs. Note here the consonant mutation of Doolish (Douglas) to Ghoolish.

The official languages of the Isle of Man are the Manx Gaelic and the English language. A dialect of English known as Manx English is spoken.

The Manx Gaelic language is a Goidelic Celtic language closely related to the Scottish Gaelic and Irish languages. Manx remained the everyday speech of the people until the first half of the nineteenth century. By the middle of the twentieth century only a few elderly native speakers remained: the last of them, Ned Maddrell, died on December 27, 1974. By then a scholarly revival had begun to spread to the populace and many had learned Manx as a second language. The first native speakers of Manx (bilingual with English) in many years have now appeared: children brought up by Manx-speaking parents.

In the 2001 census, 1,689 out of 76,315, or 2.2 percent of the population, claimed to have knowledge of Manx, although the degree of knowledge in these cases was presumably varied. A well known Manx expression is Traa Dy Liooar, meaning "time enough" and represents a stereotypical view of the Manx attitude to life.

Education

The 35 primary schools and five secondary schools deliver the Manx National Curriculum based on: Core subjects of English, mathematics, and geography, art and design, music, physical education, and a modern foreign language (French), as well as religious education. A modern foreign language, French, is taught to all pupils from the age of seven and the Manx language is available on an optional basis from age eight. Manx National Curriculum work is extended by work in history, geography, religious studies, and personal and social education, including health education.

For pupils aged 14 to 16 there is some degree of choice of curriculum through various science subjects, technology, art and music, while each pupil is required to have an information technology qualification at age 16.

Public examinations at age 16 (GCSE) are the main focus of achievements for the majority of pupils, and a small number of pupils take General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQ) foundation courses, together with a reduced number of GCSE examinations.

The Isle of Man College provides further education study for students wishing to enter trades, professions or businesses. Many students progress from ‘A’ level, Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND) and National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) programmes, to higher education programmes in the United Kingdom and on the island. The International Business School is located at The Nunnery in Douglas, close to the heart of the financial centre. It focuses on offshore finance, banking and insurance.

Culture

Food and drink

Kippered "split" herring.

The national dish of the island is "Spuds and Herrin", boiled potatoes and herring. This plain dish is chosen because of its role supporting the subsistence farmers of the island, who crofted the land and fished the sea for centuries.

Seafood has accounted for a large proportion of the diet. Although commercial fishing has declined, local delicacies include Manx kippers (smoked herring) which are produced by the smokeries on the west coast of the island. The smokeries also produce other specialities including smoked salmon and bacon.

Crab, lobster and scallops are commercially fished, and the Queen Scallop ('Queenies') is regarded as a particular delicacy, with a light, sweet flavour. Cod, ling and mackerel are often angled for the table, and freshwater trout and salmon can be taken from the local rivers and lakes, supported by the Government fish hatchery at Cornaa.

Cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry are all commercially farmed, Manx lamb from the hill-farms being a popular dish. The Loughtan, the indigenous breed of Manx sheep, has a rich, dark meat that has found favour with chefs.

Milk and cheese are produced by IOM Creameries. Manx cheese has been a particular success, featuring smoked and herb-flavoured varieties, and is stocked by many of the UK's supermarket chains. Manx cheese took bronze medals in the 2005 British Cheese Awards, and sold 578 tonnes over the year. Beer is brewed on a commercial scale by Okells Brewery (established in 1850) and Bushy's Brewery.

Music

The Isle of Man is a small island nation in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland. Its culture is Celtic in origin, influenced historically by its neighbours, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. The island is not part of the United Kingdom, but Manx music has been strongly affected by English folk song as well as British popular music. Template:British/Celticmusic A roots revival of Manx folk music began late in the 20th century, alongside a general revival of the Manx language and culture. The 1970s revival was kickstarted, after the 1974 death of the last native speaker of Manx, by a music festival called Yn Çhruinnaght in Ramsey [1].

Prominent musicians of the Manx musical revival include Emma Christian (Ta'n Dooid Çheet - Beneath the Twilight), whose music includes the harp and tin whistle, and harpist and producer Charles Guard (Avenging and Bright), an administrator at the Manx Heritage Foundation, MacTullagh Vannin (MacTullagh Vannin) and the duo Kiaull Manninagh (Kiaull Manninagh). Modern bands include The Mollag Band, King Chiaullee and Paitchyn Vannin [2].

History

Prior to the 15th century, little can be determined about the character of music on the Isle of Man. There are many carved crosses from this era, but they depict a total of two musicians, one lur player and a harpist. Songs from this era may have had Scandinavian origins; some also bear similarities to Irish and Scottish music. The song Reeaghyn dy Vannin (the Manx sword dance), is very similar to a lullaby from the Hebrides and is also said to have been a ritual dance during the Scandinavian era.

The earliest written evidence describes fiddle music and a variety of folk dances. There was no harp tradition as was otherwise prevalent in Celtic music. English folk songs were very popular, later including broadside ballads, jigs and reels. Also extant were traditional Gaelic psalm-singing and other church music.

19th century

Church music is the most documented Manx music of the 19th century. Lining out was a common technique, as it was throughout Great Britain and Ireland. West Gallery musicians performed for special occasions, using locally-composed or well-known compositions. Organs were a later importation that became standard in most of the island's churches. The first collection of Manx church songs was printed in 1799, and was followed by many other collections.

20th century

Though West Gallery music continued into the 1950s, by the 20th century instrumental music accompanied most worship on the Isle of Man. Later in the 20th century, Manx church musical traditions slowly declined. The legacy of immigration, from England and elsewhere, has brought in many new styles of music to the island.

Future

The Manx Heritage Foundation have established a Manx Music Coordinator to encourage the use and development of the vernacular music. 2005 saw many releases by Manx bands of traditional music in Manx, English, and other Celtic languages.

Myth, legend and folklore

In Manx mythology, the island was ruled by Manannán mac Lir, a Celtic sea god, who would draw his misty cloak around the island to protect it from invaders. One of the principal theories about the origin of the name Mann is that it is named after Manannan.

In the Manx tradition of folklore, there are many stories of mythical creatures and characters. These include the Buggane, a malevolent spirit who according to legend blew the roof off St Trinian's church in a fit of pique; the Fenodyree; the Glashtyn; and the Moddey Dhoo, a ghostly black dog who wandered the walls and corridors of Peel Castle.

The Isle of Man is also said to be home to fairies, known locally as 'the little folk' or 'themselves'. There is a famous Fairy Bridge and it is said to be bad luck if one fails to wish the fairies good morning or afternoon when passing over it. Other types of fairies are the Mi'raj and the Arkan Sonney.

An old Irish story tells how Lough Neagh was formed when Ireland's legendary giant Fionn mac Cumhaill (sometimes known as Finn McCool) scooped up a portion of the land and tossed it at a Scottish rival. He missed, and the chunk of earth landed in the Irish Sea, thus creating the Isle of Man.

Sport

Nick Jefferies on his Honda RC30

For a small country, sport in the Isle of Man plays an important part in making the island known to the wider world. The main international motorcycle event associated with the island is the Isle of Man TT, which began in 1907 and takes place in late May and early June. It is now an international road racing event for motor bikes and used to be part of the World Championship. The Manx Grand Prix is a motorcycle event for amateurs and private entrants that uses the same 37.73 mile Snaefell mountain course in late August and early September.

The sport of cammag originated on the Isle of Man. It is similar to the Scottish game of shinty, and Irish hurling. Once the most popular sport on the Island, it ceased to be played by the start of the twentieth century]]. It has more recently been revived with an annual match at St. John's.

The Isle of Man is represented internationally in a number of other sports at the Commonwealth Games and the Island Games, as well as cricket, football, gymnastics, hockey and rugby union.

Symbols

Car registration plate featuring the Manx triskelion.

For centuries, the Island's symbol has been its ancient triskelion, a device similar to Sicily's Trinacria: three bent legs, each with a spur, joined at the thigh. The Manx triskelion does not appear to have an official definition; Government publications, currency, flags, the tourist authority and others all use different variants. Most, but not all, preserve rotational symmetry, some running clockwise, others counter-clockwise. Some have the uppermost thigh at 12:00, others at 11:30 or 10:00, etc. Some have the knee bent at 90°, some at 60°, some at closer to 120°. Also the degree of ornamentation of the leg wear and spur vary considerably.

The three legs relate directly to the island's motto: Quocunque Jeceris Stabit, translated as 'Whithersoever you throw it, it will stand'. Interpretations of the motto often stress stability and robustness in the Manx character. Many schools on the island have adapted the motto to promote perseverance and hard work.

The origin of the 'Three Legs of Man' (as they are usually called) is explained in the Manx legend that Manannan repelled an invasion by transforming into the three legs and rolling down the hill and defeating the invaders.

File:Skancke-skjold.JPG

Skancke coat of arms.

Variations on the Manx triskelion are still in use on the coats of arms belonging to the different branches of the ancient Norwegian noble family that ruled Mann until the thirteenth century. This particular version belongs to the Skancke branch of the Skanke family. The name stems from skank, the Norwegian version of the word 'shank', or 'leg'. The Norse royal family of Man stayed on the island for some years after the death of Magnus III and the beginning of Scottish rule. The family's emigration only came after the a final attempt on the part of the Manx at restoring the old Sudreyar dynasty in the 1275 uprising against the Scots. This revolt failed disastrously, ending in the deaths of hundreds of rebels, including the last Norse King of Man, Godred IV Magnuson when the Manx suffered defeat in the decisive Battle of Ronaldsway, near Castletown. When the Norse-Manx royals arrived in Norway they took service as nobles of the Norwegian king, quickly becoming knights, landlords, and clergy under the Norwegian Crown.

Famous residents

Born or raised on the island

• The Bee Gees
• Mark Cavendish, sprint cyclist.
• Charles Kerruish became in 1961 the first Manxman to be head of government.
• Illiam Dhone led an uprising against English rule over the island and was executed in 1663.

Moved to the island

• Jeremy Clarkson, journalist and broadcaster.
• Neil Hodgson, the 2003 Superbike and World Superbike Champion.
• Sir Norman Wisdom, comedian and actor.

See also

Manx Anglo-Manx Manx cat

Towns in the Isle of Man Tynwald Day List of Kings of the Isle of Man

Coins of the Manx pound List of not fully sovereign nations Biota of the Isle of Man

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Russel, G. 1988. Distribution and development of some Manx epiphyte populations. Helgolander Meeresunters. 42: 477 - 492.

• The Isle of Man. A Social, Cultural and Political History. by R.H. Kinvig pp18 (1975) (3rd Edition) Liverpool University Press ISBN 0-85323-391-8</ref>
• A New History of the Isle of Man Volume 1 - The Evolution of the Natural Landscape. edited by Richard Hiverrell and Geoffrey Thomas pp295-296 (1st Edition)(2006) Liverpool University Press ISBN 0-85323-587-2
• *Mathieson, Kenny. "Wales, Isle of Man and England". 2001. In Mathieson, Kenny (Ed.), Celtic music, pp. 88-95. Backbeat Books. ISBN 0-87930-623-8

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Isle of Man

• Isle of Man World Factbook 2007, accessed September 18, 2007.
• Isle of Man Encyclopaedia Britannica online, accessed September 18, 2007.
• http://www.gov.im/education/provision/ Department of Education] Isle of Man Government, accessed September 19, 2007.
• isleofman.com The Isle of Man online.
• Isle of Man Guide An extensive guide to the Isle of Man
• Manx Government A comprehensive site covering many aspects of Manx life from fishing to financial regulation

• Manx Scenes.com Extensive photographic library.
• Isle of Man Tour 360 degree pictures of the Isle of Man.

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