Isle of Man Tour Guides

22/01/2025

Isle of Man Blue Badge Guides annual Christmas lunch at The Victory Cafe- we look forward to welcoming you for another year of fantastic tours on the Isle of Man

21/01/2025

Alfred Hitchcock's last silent film was released 96 years ago today.
It was, of course, 'The Manxman.'

Adapted from Sir Hall Caine's great Manx novel, the film followed Pete Quilliam, Philip Christian and Kate Cregeen through their love-torn attempts to be truthful to themselves and their emotions.
Hitchcock initially planned the make the film entirely on the Isle of Man where it was set, however, it did not take long for Hall Caine's visits from Greeba Castle to become a nuisance and so Hitchcock decamped to Cornwall where the greater part of the film's external shots were captured...
But this just makes it all the more enjoyable to watch the film to spot the scenes which are from the Island!

This 1929 film is well recommended as it's great fun. The fully-restored DVD version is recommended, but a (very poor quality) version of the film can be sampled here: https://youtu.be/_J-EyIXO0r0

Of course, the perfect soundtrack for this silent film has JUST been released, thanks to Stephen Horne's newly recorded score, including elements of many Manx songs (many of which are referenced in the original book):
https://www.ulyssesarts.com/ua-press-centre/stephen-horne-manxman-10-jan-2025

This sort of inspiration which the book and its story continues to offer to people was recently demonstrated through the BBC Radio 4 dramatisation:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001sljj
.. And, of course, this all comes from Hall Caine's original novel, which remains as one of the greatest Manx novels ever written.
It is available online here: http://manxliterature.com/sort-by-genre/prose/the-manxman/

14/10/2024

Our unique partnership for the Anniversary with the Isle of Man-based distillery, Fynoderee, will help our volunteer crew to continue saving lives at sea.

Fynoderee has already raised thousands of pounds in donations to the charity from sales of their RNLI Edition Manx Dry Gin.

Now they have created limited edition bottles of their Refuge Manx Rum, presented in a commemorative solid wood engraved box. The rum has been matured in the iconic RNLI Tower of Refuge for the past year.

20% of these sales will be donated to the RNLI 🌊

It's with the support of partners such as Fynoderee, who raise vital funds, that we can continue our lifesaving work 🧡💙 You can read more about the story behind our collaboration here ➡️ https://fynoderee.com/en-gb/pages/rnli-edition

22/09/2024

10/08/2024

08/08/2024

22/07/2024

From today, the Manx BirdLife Point of Ayre National Reserve will be open to the public every Sunday and Wednesday from 9am until sunset*.

We hope you to see you there soon.

(*changes to opening times will be publicised via the Manx BirdLife Website)

Unesco Biosphere Isle of Man Manx Ornithological Society

18/07/2024

10/07/2024

14/06/2024

FOLKLORE TOUR OF ST JOHN'S.

A free tour of some of the folklore of St John's is on offer this weekend:

Saturday 15th June
2.30pm meet, outside Culture Vannin.
Duration: c.1 hour
(Weather dependent)
https://www.celticcongressmannin.com/

Organised by the wonderful Manx Branch of the Celtic Congress, James Franklin will lead a short stroll around the Tynwald Hill area of St John's, offering an introduction to some of the rich folklore to be found around here.
Expect tales of Manannan, giants, cursed stones, good luck, bird kings and the real story of the witch of Slieau Whallian...!
It will be going ahead in all but the most wet & terrible weather - watch here for any updates on the day!

Gura mie mooar eu, Celtic Congress, for including James' tour in the programme.
More information about all the activities of the organisation, and how to get involved, can be found here: https://www.celticcongressmannin.com/

If you are not able to attend, you can console yourself with a glimpse of some of the things to be said from within this book: https://culturevannin.im/news/folklore-sites-guide-published-810592/

01/06/2024

Ratçhyn TT!

Some essential Manx for the Isle of Man TT Races...

Ratçhyn = races
Ratçhyn TT = TT races
Coorse TT = TT Course
Ratçhyn TT aboo! = Hurrah for the TT races!

Toshiaght = beginning
Jerrey = end
Keayrt = lap

Y Barrialtagh = the winner
Cosney = winning
Quoi ta cosney? = who is winning?
Quoi ren cosney? = who did win?

Feer tappee = very quick
Ro happee = too quick
Moal = slow
Ro voal = too slow

Stiurt = Marshal
Raaidyn dooint = Roads closed
Raaidyn foshlit = Roads open

Gow kiarail = take care
Greesee = exciting
Gaueagh = dangerous
Symoil = interesting

All of these and more are available to hear spoken on the Learn Manx website, in lessons 82 - 91 of the 1,000 Words challenge:
https://www.learnmanx.com/learning/1000words/

Ratçhyn TT aboo!

29/05/2024

Tomorrow (Thursday 30 May) the Gaiety Theatre's auditorium will be open from 9am - 12 Noon, providing the opportunity to go inside and view the Victorian architecture of the Theatre.

Entry is free and photography welcomed, however we do kindly ask that guests do not enter the restricted areas.

29/05/2024

NEW MANX HISTORY FILMS...

A series of 8 short films about the amazing things we can discover about Manx history (including a supposed Viking King of Mann!) from the bones of Rushen Abbey:
https://culturevannin.im/news/what-lies-beneath-rushen-abbeys-bones-831235/

Using the actual bones themselves, the films won't be for everyone, but they offer a range of fascinating recent discoveries made about Manx history which are only available to us now through modern analysis.
These include cancer, violent deaths, rare diseases, and a consideration of the remains once thought to have been those of the Viking King of Mann, King Olaf II.

All are presented by leading Manx osteoarchaeologist (someone who studies human skeletons excavated from archaeological sites), Marie Weale.
They were created by Culture Vannin, in partnership with Manx National Heritage, timing with the new new book, ‘Rushen Abbey: 100 years of excavation’ by Dr Peter Davey, available in Manx National Heritage shops.

More information is available here:
https://culturevannin.im/news/what-lies-beneath-rushen-abbeys-bones-831235/

[Pictured is Allison Fox, Curator of Archaeology at Manx National Heritage, and Dr Marie Weale, between takes of the short films now available online]

23/05/2024

23/05/2024

The 23rd May will see the World Navigator from Atlas Ocean Voyages arrive in Douglas Bay at 0700hrs with berthing expected for 0800hrs. The ship will be alongside the Victoria Pier until 1800hrs tomorrow with the passengers and crew having the day to enjoy the tours around the Island and explore Douglas.

Pictured below is her sister ship the World Explorer.

Visit Isle of Man Manx National Heritage Energy FM Isle of Man Manx Radio BBC Isle of Man 3FM Isle of Man Isle of Man Transport Cruise Europe Isle of Man Tour Guides

21/05/2024

Our cruise season continues on the 22nd May with the arrival of Hurtigruten's Spitsbergen for her second call of the day.

The ship was due to call to Peel, however due to the forecasted wind will now call to Douglas with arrival at 0730hrs and she will stay until 1830hrs.

The 135 passengers and 80 crew will be venturing ashore soon after arrival. A large part of the guests will be visiting Peel for visits to the House of Manannan and Peel Castle and to enjoy some free time to explore.

Visit Isle of Man Manx Radio 3FM Isle of Man Manx National Heritage Energy FM Isle of Man BBC Isle of Man Isle of Man Transport Isle of Man Tour Guides