Latest news with #ManxMuseum
Daily Mirror
15-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
One of its kind train ride up mountain to seven mythological kingdoms
The Snaefell Mountain Railway on the Isle of Man is the only electric mountain railway in the British Isles and is steeped in history, culture and pure imagination The only electric mountain railway in the whole of the British Isles is rich in history, culture and sheer wonder. The Snaefell Mountain Railway climbs from Laxey to the peak of Snaefell - the highest mountain on the Isle of Man - standing a staggering 2,036ft above sea level, serving as the enchanting gateway to seven mythical kingdoms. Constructed in 1895, the service typically runs from March to November and takes about 30 minutes for a one-way trip. Travelling along a five-mile track, it uses electricity from overhead wires at approximately 550 volts to operate, remaining faithful to its original Victorian-era infrastructure, ferrying passengers who come from all corners of the globe to catch a glimpse of this world wonder. Upon reaching Snafell, or 'Snow Mountain' as it's often called, visitors will make their way into five wooden electric railcars. Each of them are numbered from one to six, though you'll soon notice that number three is mysteriously absent, reports the Express. It appears it was destroyed in an incident where the car derailed back in 2016. Whatever remained of it has been gathered and is reportedly due to be rebuilt at some stage, so stay tuned. The main station on the line is the interchange with the Manx Electric Railway at Laxey. The only stopping place is Bungalow, the halfway point where the line crosses the A18 Mountain Road, notorious for the perilous and deadly Isle of Man TT race. A stone's throw away, visitors can find the Manx Museum in Douglas, a treasure trove housed in an ex-hospital with exhibits featuring Viking silver, Celtic crosses and the Tynwald - the world's oldest continuous parliamentary body. The museum's creation aimed to revamp the Isle of Man's image following tough times in the mid-19th century. Sir Henry Brougham Loch, the lieutenant governor, played a pivotal role by initially promoting Douglas as a spa destination, triggering a seaside holiday surge. An impressive 1,500 hotels were established to accommodate roughly 350,000 summer tourists. Yet, Loch recognised most visitors lingered only in the capital, prompting the construction of a railway network that would transport them across the island. Andrew Scarffe, technical support officer at Manx Heritage Railways, told the BBC about the impact of the railway: "When the railway opened, it was like science fiction. Droves of people came over on the ferry just to see its electric technology and innovation." Scarffe shared a little-known fact: "What's rarely spoken of is we were 130 years ahead of the rest of the world with green travel. We began generating our own power back in the 1890s to run the railway, and the electric tram cars are still doing what they were built to be doing. "Slow travel by electric train? It all started here." In its heyday, the railway service boasted a million passengers annually. However, this grand Isle of Man tradition has seen a decrease in recent years, though an estimated 200,000 people still board the train each year, soaking up the immense historical splendour this small island has to offer.
The Independent
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Secrets of Viking society revealed by gold jewellery find
A metal detectorist has discovered a 1,000-year-old Viking gold braided arm ring on the Isle of Man which reveals insights into ancient jewellery making. The arm ring, dating from 1000AD to 1100AD, consists of eight strands of plaited gold rods and weighs nearly 28 grams. Ronald Clucas, the detectorist, expressed his shock and excitement at finding the gold piece, which gave a low signal on his detector. Experts believe the arm ring was crafted by a skilled goldsmith and may have served as both a display of wealth and a form of currency, evidenced by cuts indicating its use in financial transactions. Allison Fox from Manx National Heritage suggests the arm ring might have been hidden for safekeeping, lost, or buried as an offering to Viking gods. It is currently on display at the Manx Museum. Metal detectorist on Isle of Man 'couldn't believe it' after discovering 1,000-year-old Viking gold treasure
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Viking age stone grave markers go on display
Two Viking era stone grave markers thought to be 1,000 years old have been put on display in a church in the north of the Isle of Man. The carved monuments, known as the Manx crosses, were revealed when a storm knocked down part of the wall in St Patrick's Church in Jurby in early 2022. Thought to be from the ninth or tenth century, the stones have now become a permanent feature of the church, which is open daily from 10:00-16:00 BST. Sandra Kerrison, secretary of the Friends of Jurby Church group, said finding the crosses had changed the significance of the site. They are a legacy of both Christian faith and Viking settlement on the island, with carvings ranging from simple crosses to complex depictions of Christian and Scandinavian themes. The two stones were taken to the Manx Museum for recording and safe-keeping until they could be securely displayed. The stones were carved as memorials at the site of an early chapel or keeill, and in 1700 some of the large crosses from the keeill were broken up and used for the construction of the old parish church. When the old church was demolished in the early 1800s, the stones were reused for the wall of St Patrick's Church, which was where they were found in 2022. The Friends of Jurby Church, which works to refurbish the 200-year-old building, received an £8,000 grant from the Ann Harrison Trust for the construction of a cabinet to house the larger 34kg stone, as well as to install both crosses into the Church. A new path has been completed to the church, which the charity said has made the building more accessible. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X. Viking era Manx stone crosses discovered in wall Grant for new paths to improve access to church Friends of Jurby Church
BBC News
06-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Viking age stone grave markers go on display
Two Viking era stone grave markers thought to be 1,000 years old have been put on display in a church in the north of the Isle of Man. The carved monuments, known as the Manx crosses, were revealed when a storm knocked down part of the wall in St Patrick's Church in Jurby in early to be from the ninth or tenth century, the stones have now become a permanent feature of the church, which is open daily from 10:00-16:00 Kerrison, secretary of the Friends of Jurby Church group, said finding the crosses had changed the significance of the site. They are a legacy of both Christian faith and Viking settlement on the island, with carvings ranging from simple crosses to complex depictions of Christian and Scandinavian two stones were taken to the Manx Museum for recording and safe-keeping until they could be securely stones were carved as memorials at the site of an early chapel or keeill, and in 1700 some of the large crosses from the keeill were broken up and used for the construction of the old parish the old church was demolished in the early 1800s, the stones were reused for the wall of St Patrick's Church, which was where they were found in 2022. The Friends of Jurby Church, which works to refurbish the 200-year-old building, received an £8,000 grant from the Ann Harrison Trust for the construction of a cabinet to house the larger 34kg stone, as well as to install both crosses into the Church.A new path has been completed to the church, which the charity said has made the building more accessible. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
01-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Legacy of Archibald Knox celebrated on Isle of Man stamp set
The legacy of renowned artist and designer Archibald Knox has been celebrated on a new set of 10-piece collection has been created in conjunction with a major exhibition of the Manx born with artist at the Manx Museum from 5 set features examples of Knox's metalwork, jewellery, paintings, household accessories and other manager of Isle of Man Stamps and Coins Maxine Cannon said the collection served as a "tribute to his remarkable talent". The artist designed for Liberty of London and established himself at the forefront of the English art nouveau movement at the turn of the 20th Century. The set features imagery from the Manx National Heritage Collection, the Peartree Collection, as well as private of those items will feature in the exhibition Knox: Order & Beauty, which is the set to be the largest ever display of his display explores Knox's artistic journey, his connection to the Isle of Man, and his pioneering role in modern design, and will showcase more than 200 pieces from collections across the British Katie King said the stamp collection "brings together some of Knox's most iconic works and reminds us of the enduring beauty and relevance of his designs".Managing Director of the Archibald Knox Forum Chris Hobdell, which is putting the exhibition together in conjunction with Manx National Heritage, said the set of stamps offered a "glimpse into the depth and diversity of his work". He said the collection would allow people to "learn more about this remarkable designer" ahead of April's opening of the year-long display. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
