BS: Isle of Mann

Subject: BS: Isle of Mann
From: Black Diamond
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 03:21 PM

Can anyone tell me anything about the Isle of Mann?? we are thinking of going there next year for our hols, but dont know about it. Music - is there a music session scene, are there any sessions, do they English, Irish or their own???? walking - is it pretty, scenic and walking country??
any suggestions would be most welcome
Black Diamond

Subject: RE: BS: Isle of Mann
From: Leadfingers
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 03:29 PM

Take a decent MotorBike and 'do' the circuit !!

Subject: RE: BS: Isle of Mann
From: suzi
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 03:37 PM

I ll go with Leadfingers on that one...!!

Subject: RE: BS: Isle of Mann
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 03:39 PM

Emma Christian is a great Manx musician (harp) and here is a website you might find of some interest.http://www.ceolas.org/Regions/Manx-article.html


Yours, Aye. Dave

Subject: RE: BS: Isle of Mann
From: Fran
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 03:45 PM

We went at Christmas last year, pics here
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v380/Zoe/

The spoot is a beautiful place and worth walking to find, its a waterfall that was covered in icicles when we were there.

Subject: RE: BS: Isle of Mann
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 04:14 PM

Love the place, great people and things to see. I don't know if Jurby junk is still there, it is great. An old airfield with sheds full of everything you could imagine, and it's all for sale. Motorcycle museum is great. You will love it.

Subject: RE: BS: Isle of Mann
From: Black Diamond
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 04:51 PM

thanks everyone we are into railwayey things, so will love the preserved lines, thats one of the attractions!! will look at all you r links and photso.
once again, many thanks
Black Diamond

Subject: RE: BS: Isle of Mann
From: greg stephens
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 05:26 PM

There is a folk programme on Manx radio. I think John Kinane is the name of the presenter, and I think he will know everything that is going on.
Dont miss Peel, on the west coast. Great place(though no steam railway there).

Subject: RE: BS: Isle of Mann
From: Bunnahabhain
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 05:36 PM

It only has one N, I can tell you that much...

Subject: RE: BS: Isle of Mann
From: Bernard
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 06:00 PM

Don't forget to visit Lady Isabella!

Subject: RE: BS: Isle of Mann
From: Black Diamond
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 06:27 PM

Fran the photos are stunning they have really encouraged us to got to The Isle of man with one N! thanks Bunnahabhain - oops. and thanks Greg for the Manx Radio plug.
Black Diamond

Subject: RE: BS: Isle of Mann
From: Mr Happy
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 07:48 PM

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

Subject: RE: BS: Isle of Mann
From: curmudgeon
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 08:33 PM

Back in 1966 or so, I met, at a very drunk party, a Harvard language major who was aware of the existance and uniqueness of Edward Maddrell . His plan at the time, was to attach hmself as an unpaid servant to Mr. Maddrell and thus learn the language. I have no idea of the success of his endaevour -- Tom

Subject: RE: BS: Isle of Mann
From: NH Dave
Date: 11 Oct 06 - 01:39 AM

I used to go over to the Isle of Man to watch the motorcycle races, back when they were counted as part of the European racing scene. There's be tons of people lining up with their bikes to board the ferry at Liverpool, and even more people when we got to Douglas. In spite of the crowd all of the hotels and motels were reasonable, and so were the prices in all of the local pubs. In short, we were welcomed as guests, as opposed to being viewed as a transient lot, who could be easily separated from their money by one dodge or another.

The island was great, lots of things other than the races to see, beautiful scenery, and very gracious people. At the time Man had its own money and coinage, and although British currency was welcomed everywhere, Manx notes or coins were not required to be honored either in England or Ireland, and once you got away from Liverpool, usually weren't, except for depositing them for clearance at a Manx bank much later. Perhaps there is a universal monetary system there now, but this was an interesting oddity back then. They also had their own very pretty postage stamps, a great opportunity for someone who collects stamps.

Dave

Subject: RE: BS: Isle of Mann
From: Hawker
Date: 11 Oct 06 - 05:16 AM

The Isle Of Man is a beautiful place to visit at any time of the year, the weather is a little unprdictable, being prone to sea mists on what would otherwise be sunny days etc it has, I suppose its own microclimate. It has beautiful beaches, coastal walks, fabulous lush green glens and mountains. There is lots to do and see around the island, which is full of museums and places of interest.
There is the Isle Of Man Steam Railway which crosses the island from Douglas to Poet Erin, there are also lots of old railway routes to walk, if you are interested in that sort of thing, The Groudle Glen Railway is one NOT to be missed - and walk the glen too! This travels from Onchan.
The Manx electric railway travels from Douglas to Laxey (home of The Lady Isabella)and the Snaefell mountain railway travels from Laxey to the top of snaefell, the motorcycle museum up there is worthy of a visit too. The scenery is second to none.
There is an international celtic music festival called Yn Cruinnaght around the 3rd week in July held round Ramsey area. If you are keen to sample manx music and dance.
The TT is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2007, so it looks to be a massive event, the island will be full to capacity with visitors from every corner of the earth and every motocycle too, so if you were after a quiet holiday, avoid May 26th to 9th June. The Manx Grand Prix is also run on the road (mountain course) 18th August to 31st August, when again the island is full of bikes and bikers - though maybe not so many as in May/June.
You will definately enjoy a Manx holiday, please let us know how you get on - and whether we were right, after your holiday.
Rewgards, Lucy

Subject: RE: BS: Isle of Mann
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 11 Oct 06 - 06:21 AM

Manitas and I went there in late June 1995 and it was fantastic but found the night life to be a bit quiet (Limput was born about 9 months later, so it wasn't that quiet)... but it's a fascinating place and I loved it. We were mostly reliant on public transport, which was exemplary - clean, cheap, frequent and on time.

If you are National Trust or English Heritage members, take your membership cards as they should be honoured by Manx Heritage. The museum (in Douglas?) is a must, it was crammed full of stuff, and totally absorbing.

Snaefell is only a mountain by the grace of 4ft.

The Laxey Wheel is not for the faint of heart in the height department....   the slate mine nearby is also, not for the claustrophobic!

Look out for the weird sheep - you'll see why!

Oh, and Manx cats scratch just as hard as ordinary tailed cats!

Enjoy!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Isle of Mann
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 11 Oct 06 - 07:34 AM

Great to hear the name John Kaneen ( IOM Radio Folk Music Program). Back in the 60s, he was a very well-known face on the Liverpool folkmusic scene. He was the first person I heard playing great pattern picking ( we called it clawhammer back then). He was also a superior flatpicker. His repetoire was very wide and very interesting. He used to do a great version of Flanders and Swan's " Have some Madiera, my dear". He also did the best versions I've heard of monologues associated with Stanley Holloway, and, in particular, the historical ones: The Battle of Hastings and The Magna Carta. Great stuff!

Subject: RE: BS: Isle of Mann
From: Black Diamond
Date: 11 Oct 06 - 10:46 AM

yes Hawker I will let you know how we get on, but we are not going until July next year, to coincide with the Music festival.