Places to visit

The Manx Museum in Douglas

We encourage you to visit to the Manx Museum in Douglas as an introduction to the the history and culture of the Isle of Man. The Museum is owned by the island's heritage agency: Manx National Heritage (Eiraght Ashoonagh Vannin). It is superbly run and contains many artefacts and treasures that are unique to the Isle of Man. The collections are presented in a variety of formats including interactive displays, short films and more traditional galleries.

The Braaid

The Braaid

The Braaid was first thought to have been used in either the Neolithic and Bronze age periods and it has been suggested it started as a stone circle site. There are the remains of a Celtic Iron Age roundhouse. Later the site was used by the Vikings as a farmstead.

St Patrick's Chair

St Patrick's Chair

St Patrick's Chair consists of three standing stones. It is believed that the stones mark an ancient meeting place where preaching would take place. There are two granite pillars marked with crosses: no. 6 and 7.

Broogh Fort

Broogh Fort

Little is understood about this site as no detailed archaeological investigation of the Broogh Fort has yet been conducted therefore its true nature and purpose remains unclear. The site consists of a large, flat topped mound 20m in diameter and 4m high, surrounded by an 8m wide ditch. There are further banks and ditches to the south and east. No structures remain on the central mound. It is thought possible that it may have been a Bronze Age burial site or an Iron Age ringfort. It could also be the case that the mound was later converted into a Medieval motte – an artificial hill on which a small castle or defensive structure would have stood. 

Cronk ny Merriu

Cronk ny Merriu

Cronk ny Merriu is a coastal promontory fort with defensive ditch and rampart. It is believed to have been built in the Celtic Iron Age and then later re-occupied during the Norse Period. Also on the site are the remains of a homestead, which appears to have consisted of a rectangular building with three doorways and a Norse central hearth.

Fairy Bridge

Fairy Bridge

The Fairy Bridge on the south-east of the Isle of Man has some pretty unique traditions! When crossing the bridge, it is unlucky not to greet the 'little people'. The term 'Fairies' or 'Ferrish' is not used on the Isle of Man. The Manx call the little people 'Mooinjer Veggey'. Those crossing the bridge are expected to say "Moghrey mie (Good morning), Fastyr mie (Good afternoon/evening) or Laa mie (Good day) Mooinjer Veggey."

Cronk Howe Mooar

Cronk Howe Mooar

Cronk Howe Mooar (also known as Fairy Hill) is possibly an artificial hill with remains of a stone faced structure on the top, 35 ft. high with a ditch around the base. It may also have been the site of a timber fort constructed around 11AD.

House of Manannan - Thie Vanannan

House of Manannan - Thie Vananan

The House of Manannan, a museum, is named after Manannan mac Lir a Celtic sea deity featuring in Manx, Irish and Scottish legend. Associated with the Tuatha De’ Danaan, he is heavily linked with and has a strong relevance to the Isle of Man, being seen as it’s first ruler.

Kerroogarroo Fort

Kerroogarroo Fort

This is a large unfinished rectangular fort with thick earthen walls and bastions on each corner. It was constructed in 1640 for the English Civil War.

Cronk Sumark

Cronk Sumark

A Celtic Iron Age hill fort in the north of the island. Cronk Sumark (Primrose Hill in English) has dramatic views over the island's northern plain from its 250ft twin peaked position, but with difficult access due to a steep rocky side. It is clearly in a good defensive position. May have been refortified at a later date given the expansion ramparts extending beyond the area of the original fortress.

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