Isle of Man

[Alison]

My parents have decided my sisters and our families (Jim, Zora, and Stella too) should all take a trip next summer to the Isle of Man. For those of you unfamiliar with the island, it is situated in the Irish Sea almost equidistant from Ireland and England.

My father's lineage is originally from the Isle of Man so it has been a destination he, my sisters and I have wanted to take our whole lives. It is a unique place so we for some reason cling to it as part of who we are. My dad's name is especially Gaelic...Galen Corlett. My younger sister has even gotten a tattoo with the three legged man image from the country's flag.

"The native language for the Isle of Man is Manx Gaelic. It resembles other Gaelic languages like Scottish and Irish and is part of the Celtic language family. The last native speaker of the Manx Language was Edward (Ned) Maddrell, who died in December 1974. Since then there has been a revival of the language as many people take up learning it at school or college. Manx has been formally taught in schools since 1992, but is not compulsory. There are a few Manx only schools (Scoill) for younger children. The main language spoken on the Isle of Man is British English. " Excerpt from http://www.iomguide.com/manxlanguage.php

So the question is, has anyone been there? If so, any suggestions or recommendations?

I appreciate your help.

Alison Alfredson

[A Lark Ascending]

I've never been. I'd imagine that if you are into walking there's some fine coastal walks and plenty of birdlife.

I don't know if it's still the case but Douglas (the main town) used to be a destination where Dubliners went for a wild weekend!

I don't know how long you're over for but you might find it a bit limiting after a few days. Consider taking in Dublin as well. As well as the city there's some amazing countryside and sites of interest within an hour's drive.

I'm sure you've found this:

http://www.visitisleofman.com/

Edited June 16, 2008 by Bev Stapleton

[sidewinder]

I've been. I've even done some scuba diving there off of the West coast (it was pretty good, in terms of visibility in UK waters and there were basking sharks !). The island itself is pretty low-key and quite old fashioned. Not unlike rural Ireland. Douglas is the main settlement and that is much more urbanised and seems to be occupied by a lot of Liverpudlian tax exiles ( ).

There's a definite Norwegian Viking legacy to the Isle of Man - it was one of their main settlements in the British Isles 1000+ years ago, along with Dublin. No people with horned helmets visible on my trip there though. The rest of the original settlers were celts.

Definitely a good idea to combine in a trip with Ireland - maybe the SW? (Cork area)

Edited June 16, 2008 by sidewinder

[JohnS]

It's a few years since I was there. My memories are all good. The scenery is beautiful and varied, mountains moorland, coastline. Narrow roads and interesting towns and villages, not really like the UK. Steam and electric railways too.

[Jazzmoose]

I know I'd love to hit it with a motorcycle, but I doubt that's ever going to happen.

[porcy62]

I know I'd love to hit it with a motorcycle, but I doubt that's ever going to happen.

Yep, Tourist Trophy, old memories...

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

IOM is a pretty interesting place, I gather.

It's not part of the UK - it's a Crown Dependency; ie the Queen owns it (though it has its own government and its Parliament is the oldest in the world). It's not part of the EU either. So it's one of a number of UK tax havens.

Prime industries used to be agriculture and tourism, which resulted in large numbers of people being unemployed for most of the year, since the weather's even worse than here, I'm told. Being placed in its tax haven position, however, has proved a godsend to the economy. Lots of financial services companies ar located there. I was talking to some of their government people there a few years ago and was told that long term unemployment was down to one (person)! So you might find prices a bit on the high side.

But have a great time!

MG

[porcy62]

IOM is a pretty interesting place, I gather.

It's not part of the UK - it's a Crown Dependency; ie the Queen owns it (though it has its own government and its Parliament is the oldest in the world). It's not part of the EU either. So it's one of a number of UK tax havens.

Prime industries used to be agriculture and tourism, which resulted in large numbers of people being unemployed for most of the year, since the weather's even worse than here, I'm told. Being placed in its tax haven position, however, has proved a godsend to the economy. Lots of financial services companies ar located there. I was talking to some of their government people there a few years ago and was told that long term unemployment was down to one (person)! So you might find prices a bit on the high side.

But have a great time!

MG

I see, so Captain Moose and I would have to pack $$$$ bills in a sealed hose inside our motorbikes' tanks, before go there.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

That's my guess - when you expand a small population economy suddenly (over only a dozen or so years)with a load of financial services wallahs, seems like prices would rise. What are prices like in Leichtenstein?

MG

[Niko]

It's not part of the UK - it's a Crown Dependency; ie the Queen owns it (though it has its own government and its Parliament is the oldest in the world). It's not part of the EU either. So it's one of a number of UK tax havens.

they also have their own curency... (and whoever told me this recently also said it was a great place)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manx_pound

[sidewinder]

since the weather's even worse than here, I'm told.

Yes, it rained most days when I was there.

[Joe G]

Can't beat the name. It just cries out to be spoken in a big booming announcer-guy voice. In a world...

[kh1958]

I haven't been to the Isle of Mann, but I did see Herbie Mann once.

[A Lark Ascending]

Famous people from or living on the Isle of Man:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Famous_reside...the_Isle_of_Man

Includes Rick Wakeman...I don't recall "Isle of Man: the Opera on Ice".

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Famous people from or living on the Isle of Man:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Famous_reside...the_Isle_of_Man

Includes Rick Wakeman...I don't recall "Isle of Man: the Opera on Ice".

And Ronnie Ronalde!!!!!

Who could ever forget Ronnie Ronalde?

Well, I had, but now I've seen his name, I remember. Oh.

Watch out, name three people subscribers

MG

[A Lark Ascending]

I was struck by the phrase 'has a home on...'

[7/4]

Happy Jack wasn't old, but he was a man.

He lived in the sand at the Isle of Man.

The kids would all sing, he would take the wrong key,

So they rode on his head in their furry donkey.

The kids couldn't hurt Jack,

They tried, tried, tried.

They dropped things on his back,

They lied, lied, lied, lied, lied.

But they couldn't stop Jack, 'or the waters lapping,

And they couldn't prevent Jack from being happy.

But they couldn't stop Jack, 'or the waters lapping,

And they couldn't prevent Jack from feeling happy.

The kids couldn't hurt Jack,

They tried, tried, tried.

They dropped things on his back

They lied, lied, lied, lied, lied.

But they couldn't stop Jack, 'or the waters lapping.

And they couldn't prevent Jack from being happy.

[Jazzmoose]

I see, so Captain Moose and I would have to pack $$$$ bills in a sealed hose inside our motorbikes' tanks, before go there.

I'm not sure I'd want to try it on those bikes! But if we do, Nicholson rides with you!

Edited June 16, 2008 by Jazzmoose

[porcy62]

I see, so Captain Moose and I would have to pack $$$$ bills in a sealed hose inside our motorbikes' tanks, before go there.

I'm not sure I'd want to try it on those bikes! But if we do, Nicholson rides with you!

I am OK with Jack, when the dude left his tool at home.

About the bike, I am going with mine

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Is that 'ansome geezer you, Porcy?

MG

[porcy62]

Is that 'ansome geezer you, Porcy?

MG

Yep. 'ansome and dumb, it tooks me twenty minutes to understand how to reduce and load the picture.

[Jazzmoose]

Sweet bike!

[Alison]

Thanks to those of you who gave me some insight to the Isle. I have done some research on Wikipedia about the culture and government structure. One thing that I am curious about is where people have stayed on the island. We have the option of the country or in Douglas or maybe a bit of both since we will be staying maybe 2 weeks. So if anyone else has travel tips or other recommendations, please pass them along.

AA

[JohnS]

I don't think it matters too much as long as you can get around. Douglas is a good starting point for trips around the island. When I was there. a lot of the accommodation was cheap and cheerful (built for the mass holiday trade early last century or earlier). I suspect a lot of the accommodation has moved up market since then but nevertheless make sure you choose something decent.

[Aggie87]

I think I'd heed Bev's suggestion - that being on a small(ish) island for more than a couple of days may be limiting. Two weeks may seem like a REALLY long time there.

Combining the trip with a visit to Dublin (or maybe Liverpool in the other direction!) might make for a more rewarding time overall.

Edited June 17, 2008 by Aggie87