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I started this subject because of a reference to Manx Gaelic in another topic.

Many people outside Europe do not know this beautiful little island exists, and even fewer know it has it's own unique parliament, laws, currency bills, and it's own language.

The Isle of Man is in the middle of the Irish Sea, less than 60 miles from the West coast of England, and within reach by sea or air from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
How big is the Isle of Man?
It is 33 miles long, 13 miles wide and covers an area of 227 square miles. More than 40% of the Island is uninhabited.

(http://www.isleofman.com/images/island_map.jpg)

I have visited the Isle of Man several times; I was fascinated to learn that my mother-in-law, who was a young lady from Swampscott, Massachusetts had also visited during WWII. She was enchanted by the island, and found it a peaceful haven after the constant bombardment of London, where she worked for the Red Cross.

Here are a few facts I have put together:

What makes the Isle of Man different from anywhere else in the British Isles?
Many things! The Island is a unique self-governing kingdom - a Crown dependency which belongs to neither the UK nor the European Union.
Through it's own ancient Parliament, Tynwald, the island enjoys a high degree of domestic legislative and political autonomy
Dating back to Viking origins over 1,000 years ago, Tynwald is the oldest legislature in the world in continuous existence. It has two branches: the House of Keys and the Legislative Council.

The Isle of Man has it's own laws, traditions, culture, cuisine and postage stamps. But as a holiday island it is best known for its very agreeable and relaxed pace of life, along with a wealth of attractions and places to stay.
And while other differences include the Manx language and currency (though English is the spoken tongue and English and UK currencies are accepted everywhere), they drive on the left as in the UK, and road signs are in English.

Fascinating fact....
The manx tongue, a form of Gaelic, is a Celtic langauge which was universally spoken until it went into decline in the 18th century. Today it is being revived thanks to the Manx Gaelic Society (Yn Cheshaght Ghailckagh).

(http://www.appliedlanguage.com/flags_of_the_world/small_flag_of_man_isle_of.gif)
Another Fascinating fact...
The Three Legs of Man is the island's symbol of Independence. While there is much local argument about which way the legs run (officially it is clockwise), the symbol's meaning is undisputed:
Quocunque Jeceris Stabit - 'Whichever way you throw me I stand'.

Thanks Maggie for the info ;)  Such a small island but with all the amenities  ;D  A "peaceful heaven" I love those kind of places, I'll add the Isle of Man on my "places to go to" list. ;)

Just a side note from an inveterate cat-lover......

The Isle of Man is also home to the wonderful, tailless Manx cat, one of the friendliest, most affectionate and relaxed members of the feline family.

(http://www.cats-central.com/cat-breeds/0736813012.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg)

Yes indeed, the Manx cat is unique.

You might be interested in this:
http://www.isleofman.com/Home/Arts/Humanities/History/Genealogy/NAMA.aspx

Here is the website of Tynwald, the IOM parliament:
www.tynwald.org.im
There is a seating plan of the Tynwald Chamber, love the name of the President! :D

This is the Paliamentary flag:
(http://www.tynwald.org.im/graphics/blue-flag.jpg)

Last night I said I knew nothing of Manx, well now I know :)

I've heard of the Isle of Man, but knew nothing about it other than the fact it exists.

Ooo a Manx kitty!  I love cats ;D  "affectionate" what my cat lacks :(

It's also home to the actor John Rhys-Davies. 

And the Bee Gees were born there.

Dave here - Mags is away

Great little island - real quiet - we rode in a horse-drawn tram along the waterfront.

The island is famous for the TT motorcycle races.

Also for being an offshore tax haven.

Many corporations are registered there to avoid tax and liability.

If you saw the movie "Waking Ned Divine" it was supposed to be Ireland but was shot in the Isle of Man. Hilarious movie, if you didn't catch it try to get a hold of it.

I seem to remember a coastal road, a telephone booth and a car...

 :o

Thanks for the info

My children's school had field day a few weeks back. Each class picked a country to represent.  They also had to study the country they picked! They made tshirs, flags, and banners. One class picked the Isle of Man.  I knew nothing about it.

But those 3rd graders could tell you everything about it ;D

One great advantage of modern technology!

Now they need to make a field trip........... :D

The Isle of Man also has its own breed of sheep, (possibly goat, I am not sure which), but no other sheep /goat, or cat is allowed on the island because they do not want inter-breeding, they want to keep the species pure.  The same is true on the Island of Jersey with their cute little Jersey cow.  These animals can LEAVE the islands, but other breeds are not allowed ON the islands.

This is really interesting "little known" info!  Thanks for sharing it with us! ;D

Thanks Maggie for the information on the isle of man vary interesting. It definitely sounds like a peaceful place to see.

How did the island end up with the name Isle of Man?
I do hope that it gets greater recognition with the 2012 Olympic Games coming to Britain, so surely the Isle of Man stands to get some greater promotion despite not hosting any events, obviously.
And isn't Mark Cavendish from the Isle of Man? He just won a stage on the Tour de France and won a gold medal at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games, and is a medal favourite in Beijing for Britain.

I tried to find out about the name.......it used to be called Mona:

Following quote from:  http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/

"It appears with the first dawn of reliable history, so far as these islands are concerned, in the Commentaries of Julius Caesar, where he says:- - "In the mid sea between Britannia and Hibernia is an island called Mona." Colonised by the ancient British tribes, it remained long, like the isle of Anglesey, a chief seat of the Druids."

150 years later however, Tacitus who never went to Britain, applied the name "Mona" to the Isle of Anglesey by mistake.

I guess the name just changed to "Mann" and then "Man" through the centuries of occupation by the Vikings, Celts, etc.

Yes, Mark Cavendish is Manx. He was asked:

Q ) "Are you the most famous bloke to come out of the Isle of Man since the Bee Gees?
A ) Eh, I think so ... yeah. It's not something I pay much attention to, to be honest. I do what I do because I love the sport and the other stuff that comes with it is a bonus. A lot of people in the Isle of Man support me and it makes it all worthwhile when people are interested in what you're doing. I dunno if the word 'famous' is appropriate, but I'm quite well known on the Isle of Man.

Q) You do realise that if you do well in the Tour, the English will try to claim you as one of their own ...
A) Yeah, probably. I had the option to ride for England in the Commonwealth Games last year but I stayed true to my roots."
(Quote from http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/jul/06/smalltalk.sportinterviews)




 

That's some interesting information. I am in the research phase of literary project and the only written histories from that period (though they were written well after the relevant events) I am aware of come from Cassius Dio and Tacitus;  referring to Anglesey as Mona.

This movie is absolute Genious!
I can watch it 1001 times..and it never gets old.

Wickie xxx

I have just spent a considerable time searching through this site, and found some fascinating items......and a lot of boring ones too!

There are so many historians of this tiny island. It's interesting to compare the opinions of Julius Caesar and Pliny regarding the British Isles:

http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/manxsoc/msvol30/ch06.htm
http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/manxsoc/msvol04/v1p003.htm

Tacitus gave his opinions but never went to Britain, so I don't put too much faith in him......he reminds me of some politicians of today!

Hey Bob - while reading about the name of the Isle of Man, I came across this bit about your namesake:

......."After the three brothers had been assassinated by order of the
 jealous King Conchobar at Emhain Macha, and Deirdre had died of grief (or married the King, in another version), Manannan fostered the two children of Naoise and Deirdre in Emhain Abhlach, a poetic name for the Island. Later he suggested to Conchobar that the boy, Gaidar or Gaiar, 'Hound,’ should be awarded Man in compensation for the loss of his father, promising that friendly relations should thenceforward exist between Man and Ulster."

The tagline for the movie was:
"Finally, a comedy that will make you feel like a million bucks."

You can buy it here:
http://www.amazon.com/Waking-Ned-Devine-Ian-Bannen/dp/B00000ILEC

It was mostly shot at Cregneash, in the South of the Island. It's a folk park where the community lives and farms in the old way.

Here are some photos:
http://www.dankarran.com/photography/isleofman/cregneash/

Here's a map of the island, if you zoom out you can see how close it is th England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales:
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Map%2BIsle%2Bof%2BMan&sourceid=navclient-ff&ie=&aq=t

The best way to get there, but not the fastest or cheapest, is to take the Ferry:

http://www.steam-packet.com/SteamPacket/

Flights:
http://www.skyscanner.net/flights-to/iom/cheap-flights-to-isle-of-man-airport.html

One of the biggest motorsports events in the world are held here each year called the Isle of man TT motorcycle race

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

"The oldest motor-cycle racing circuit still in use is the Snaefell Mountain Course over which the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy races are run. Starting at the town of Douglas on the south-east coast, the course takes a wide sweep to the west and north to enter the town of Ramsey on the north-east coast and thence return to the starting point, each lap measuring 37 3/4 miles (60.7 km) and taking in over 200 bends while climbing from sea level to an altitude of over 1,300 ft (396 m). This circuit is the epitome of the natural road course, all the roads used being ordinary public highways closed for the racing and practice sessions."[28]

Traditionally held in the last week of May and the first week of June, the TT races create a carnival atmosphere. Picnicking crowds flanking the circuit are reminiscent of the community festivals that are part of another form of cycle racing in a different country - Le Tour de France.

During the TT Festival it is difficult to travel across or around the island because of the road closures. There is a TT access road in Douglas that gives access to the centre of the Mountain Course during the event.

The future of the TT is always in doubt with regards to the safety, especially "Mad Sunday" when any member of the public can ride the mountain section of the course which is open one way from Ramsey to Douglas. The TT races are extremely dangerous because of the high speeds on very narrow, twisting streets, roads and lanes flanked by stone walls and even buildings. Between 1907 and 2007 there have been 224 deaths during official practices or races on the Snaefell Mountain Course (this number includes the riders killed during Manx Grand Prix and the Clubman TT races).

http://youtube.com/watch?v=GJOhOqikKlY&feature=related

There is a local actress named Samantha Barks and she did so great in playing those roles. :)

One of my ancestors, Sir William LeScrope (1350-1399), owned the island and was the King of Mann (1393-1399).  He was executed without trial by Henry Bolingbroke (later Henry IV) in 1399 and the island was forfeited to the crown.

But why was he executed? Was he good or bad?

He was my ancestor, so he MUST have been good. ;)  But, Henry did not like him and had him killed. :(
There are Wikipedia stories about all of this.

Seems more like innocent murder.

Sir William and others were defending part of England when Henry (who had been exiled) invaded and captured them after attacking the castle they were in.  
His head was removed (!) and taken to London in a white basket to be displayed on London Bridge.
Parliament later confirmed Henry's actions.  I guess Henry did not want prisoners of war.  That is the way they did things in that era.