| Six Programmes on one DVD |
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The Isle of Man |
| The Isle of Man is a jewel in the Irish Sea. It’s just 33 miles long by 13 wide - but it packs a lot of individuality into its 227 square miles. The Manx are fiercely proud of their heritage and their independence, and boast the oldest continuous parliament in the world. |
| The Isle of Man has long regarded that which sets it apart as the importance which defines it. The independence which allows the Manx government to set its own laws is counterbalanced by the need for trade with its neighbours, and tourism and offshore banking have provided the bedrock upon which the local economy is based. |  |
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Dominating the centre of Castletown, Castle Rushen is perhaps the best preserved medieval castle in the British isles. It dates back to the 13th century and presents a solid image to the outside world. Partly destroyed by Robert the Bruce in 1313, it was restored 30 years later. Once a thriving port, the harbour is now a popular home for pleasure craft. |
The Point of Ayre is the most northerly part of the Isle of Man. The lighthouse, first lit in 1818, was designed by Robert Stephenson, son of the railway engineer George. It stands 100 feet high, a quarter of a mile from the shore. But the sea bed shelves so steeply here that ships can come very close to land, and in 1850 a second, smaller lighthouse was built much closer to the shingle beach. |
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The Laxey Wheel is a beautifully preserved Victorian water wheel, built in 1854 to pump water from the lead and zinc mines further up the valley. It’s named Lady Isabella in honour of the wife of then Governor Charles Hope, who performed the opening ceremony. But the mines are now closed, and Laxey is a major tourist attraction, its bay and beach a magnet for those seeking the morning sun. |
| On Bradda Head stands Milner’s tower. It was erected in 1871 honour of William Milner, a locksmith and keymaker who set up charities to help the poor of the town, and was known as the Godfather of Port Erin. The tower was meant to be a surprise for him, and was to be built in secret. But Milner found out about it, and in his typically generous way, funded much of the building work from his own pocket . |  |
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The name Ramsey may come from the ancient Norse for Wild Garlic River. One of the island’s major ports, its harbour sits at the mouth of the Sulby River, the Isle of Man’s largest. During the second world war an internment camp was built on Mooragh promenade to the north of the harbour entrance. Today many of the buildings have been turned into flats, and command an imposing view of Ramsey Bay. |
St Patrick’s Isle is the home of Peel Castle, and within its thick walls lie the remains of the island’s original cathedral. The harbour beyond has seen busier times – the fishing industry in the Irish Sea is not what it once was – but the herring which are brought here to be smoked using a closely guarded technique are quite unlike any other kippers elsewhere. |
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There are few places which can equal the Isle of Man for its accessible beauty. Within a few short miles, there are contrasts of cliffs and beaches, mountains forests, and charming rural communities. This programmes captures the beauty and the spirit of this island paradise. |
