Life of a Manx Miner

Laxey (Manx: Laksaa) is a village on the east coast of the Isle of Man (Manx: Mannin). Laxey was the centre of an important lead and zinc-mining industry which was once one of the most important to be worked in the British Isles, and at the time, the world. Lead, zinc, copper and iron had been exploited on the Isle of Man from prehistoric times. Mining remained commercially viable until the early 20th century.

Life was hard for the Manx miners with some having to walk many miles to get to their place of work and then working long hours. In all weathers they would have no choice but to get to the mines. Benefits and health provision were almost non-existent. Self-help was the order of the day with working people combining to form cooperative provision and friendly societies. A video presentation via Culture Vannin: "A Day in the Life of a Laxey Miner" gives information on the Laxey Mines. 

It is always important to remember the struggle that working people have undertaken, to secure the rights that they have today. Unfortunately there are always those in a position of power, who, driven by greed, would be happy to return working people to the lives that were endured by those miners so many years ago. That applies in the Isle of Man and in all of the other Celtic countries.