Castletown
Encyclopedia
Castletown is a town geographically within the Malew parish
of the Isle of Man
but administered separately. Lying at the south of the island, it is the former Manx capital. The centre of town is dominated by Castle Rushen
, a well-preserved castle.
and can trace its roots back to 1090. The town has narrow streets and small fishing cottages. Fishing boats still continue to go out to fish from the harbour. Commercial traffic to the port ended in the 1970s, although there has been an ongoing expansion of finance and industrial businesses in the area.
The first telephones appeared in Castletown in 1901.
, Peel and Ramsey, one of four town local authorities. They were all designated as towns by the Town Act 1852. Castletown became a local authority in 1883. It is also a House of Keys constituency
, electing one Member of the House of Keys
(MHK). The town's representative until 2011 was Tony Brown
who was elected in the Manx general election, 2006
as the Chief Minister of the Isle of Man
. He retired in 2011 and was replaced by Richard Ronan. In 1874, the House of Keys
moved from Castletown to Douglas
.
and the hamlet of Derbyhaven.
To the north-east is the village of Ballasalla
, to the north-west the villages of Ballabeg
and Colby
and to the west Port St. Mary and Port Erin. The A3 road connects Castletown with Ramsey
via Douglas
and the A5 road (also known as New Castletown Road as opposed to the Old Castletown Road which takes a more rural route nearer the coast) connects the town with Douglas to the north-east and Port Erin to the west.
The A25 road was the historical route to Douglas and is now bypassed by the A5. There are free electric car
charging station
s available in a car park in the centre of the town. The town has several car parks including one above the harbour close to the old school house, to the rear of the Castle Arms and off Victoria Road as well as dedicated parking for the local bank, supermarkets and the railway station. The southern end of the Millennium Way
long-distance footpath is at Castletown.
, Port St. Mary and Port Erin using route numbers 1, 2, 11 and 12; these run about every twenty minutes on weekdays and Saturdays with a less frequent service at weekends and after 6.00pm,. Some of these services (1c and 11b) do not run through the town but use the bypass road. The route is the island's busiest, partially attributed to it being on the route for the island's only commercial airport just outside the town. A late evening service also operates on Friday and Saturday evenings, called the Hullaid Oie (Night Owl) which uses premium fare rates. There are also occasional buses to Peel (Service No. 8) via Foxdale
; all these buses are within the island's transport network Bus Vannin
, a government-run service which replaced the railway-operated Isle Of Man Road Services
in 1976.
which forms part of the sole remaining section of the the Isle of Man Railway
, a 3 ft narrow gauge
steam-operated railway from Douglas to Port Erin. The station is on the northeasterly edge of the town next to Poulsom Park and playing fields, and was at one time used to transport beer from the Castletown Brewery as well as cattle and other livestock; remnants of the cattle dock are still visible at the station which is open seasonally between March and November as well as weekends at Christmas; there is a small volunteer group the Friends Of Castletown Station
who tend to the area in association with the Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters' Association
, a local charity.
is just over one mile northeast of the town and is served by both Bus Vannin
and Castletown Railway Station
as well as local taxi services. On foot the airport can be reached by a short walk from the town centre on pedestrian walkways. The airport runways and aprons spread over the area to the edge of the grounds of King William's College
and close to the Janet's Corner local authority housing estate. The airport was first used as an airfield in 1928 with passenger services to the mainland commencing in 1933 and since this time it has become the premier air facility on the island.
is an independent school
. Founded in 1668 with funds from the Bishop Barrow Trust
, it opened in 1833 with 46 boys. It is now co-educational, with about 500 pupils. The college has two sites in the town: the main estate is near the shore of Castletown Bay at the end of the main airport runway, and the Buchan School
, the College's junior school, is in the Westhill area of Castletown, about two km from the main campus.
, a co-educational secondary state school in the SW of the town; and one primary school, Victoria Road School, originally opened as a boys' school in 1895, with a girls' school in Hope Street.. The old grammar school in the town, which later became a chapel, is now an exhibit of a Victorian period schoolroom, part of the Story Of Mann. This is open to the public between Easter and November and can be found close to the castle and the Old House Of Keys.
. The church building was consecrated as a church in 1985 when the congregation moved from the Garrison (Old St. Mary's) Church in Castletown Square.
.. It can be found on the approach to the town, a short walk from the square close to the roundabout leading to the town, airport and Derbyhaven village. This makes the third church in the town to be so titled, dedicated to Mary, after the title of the Rushen Abbey of St. Mary, the windows depicting the Annunciation and the Resurrection, the work of the Clarke Brothers of Dublin, are part of its features.
. This has its own graveyard, unlike the churches in the town; the road which doglegs around the church grounds has the title Church Bends on the racing circuit.
who play in the Isle of Man Football League
and are based at the Castletown Football Stadium, Malew Road. Formed in 1904, the club is one of the most successful on the Isle of Man.[1] They have been champions of the Isle of Man League eight times, including three consecutive seasons from 1922-23 to 1924-25[2] and won the Manx FA Cup six timesThey are one of the most successful clubs on the island, having been League champions eight times and won the Manx F.A. Cup seven times.
football
clubs in the town, Castletown R.U.F.C.
who are based at Poulsom Park. The club has completed the building of permanent changing facilities to replace the porta-cabins. They were officially opened in October 2006 and built with the support of the Rugby Football Union (RFU), Manx Lottery Trust, Manx Sports Council, Castletown Commissioners and the members of the team. With the newly formed Castletown Rugby Union Football Club Limited, the club has secured the tenure on the pitch at Poulsom Park, having taken on a lease from the Castletown Commissioners. The second team isSouthern Nomads R.U.F.C.
who are based at King William's College. They both play in the Manx Shield.
club is based at King William's College and is a member of the Isle of Man Cricket Association
.
is located on the Langness Peninsula
, Derbyhaven
. It is a tournament golf course, and is a A Top 100 course designed by Old Tom Morris and redesigned by Mackenzie Ross. It offers a 17th hole with the unusual feature of a drive over the Irish Sea. The links has hosted, among other events, the PGA Cup (1979), Europro Tour 2002, Manx Classic Pro Am and the Duke of York Young Champions Trophy in 2003 and again in 2005.
motor cycling course has its start line in the town. The course is home to the Southern 100
, a motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man in July of each year. The event was first held in 1955, when there were three races for different classes of motorcycles; the current calendar includes twelve races for various classes. The paddock, clubhouse and race control are all located on the outskirts of the town.
Club, probably the most successful tennis club on the Isle of Man. With teams in all local leagues. The club has recently won 6 leagues in the 2010-1011 season.
pool.
were held in Castletown on 12 September 2011 with competitors all travelling by steam train to the town square where a number of attractions were laid on.
Malew
Malew is a parish in the Isle of Man. It is in the sheading of Rushen together with the neighbouring parishes of Rushen and Arbory.Malew parish covers an area from Langness Peninsula and Scarlett up to Foxdale, and includes the villages of Ballasalla, St Mark's and Derbyhaven. The area includes...
of the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
but administered separately. Lying at the south of the island, it is the former Manx capital. The centre of town is dominated by Castle Rushen
Castle Rushen
Castle Rushen is a medieval castle located in the Isle of Man's historic capital, Castletown in the south of the island. It towers over the Market Square to the south-east and the harbour to the north-east...
, a well-preserved castle.
History
Castletown is the former capital of the Isle of Man and site of TynwaldTynwald
The Tynwald , or more formally, the High Court of Tynwald is the legislature of the Isle of Man. It is claimed to be the oldest continuous parliamentary body in the world, consisting of the directly elected House of Keys and the indirectly chosen Legislative Council.The Houses sit jointly, for...
and can trace its roots back to 1090. The town has narrow streets and small fishing cottages. Fishing boats still continue to go out to fish from the harbour. Commercial traffic to the port ended in the 1970s, although there has been an ongoing expansion of finance and industrial businesses in the area.
The first telephones appeared in Castletown in 1901.
Politics
Castletown is, along with DouglasDouglas, Isle of Man
right|thumb|250px|Douglas Promenade, which runs nearly the entire length of beachfront in Douglasright|thumb|250px|Sea terminal in DouglasDouglas is the capital and largest town of the Isle of Man, with a population of 26,218 people . It is located at the mouth of the River Douglas, and a sweeping...
, Peel and Ramsey, one of four town local authorities. They were all designated as towns by the Town Act 1852. Castletown became a local authority in 1883. It is also a House of Keys constituency
House of Keys Constituencies
-Current constituencies:These were used for the 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006 and 2011 General Elections. The current electoral constituencies for the House of Keys are:-1986 changes:...
, electing one Member of the House of Keys
Member of the House of Keys
Member of the House of Keys, or MHK is the title given to a person who has been elected into the House of Keys, the lower house of Tynwald, the parliament of the Isle of Man. There are twenty-four Members of the House of Keys. Elections are held every five years; the last election took place in...
(MHK). The town's representative until 2011 was Tony Brown
James Anthony Brown
James Anthony "Tony" Brown is a Manx politician, former businessman and electrician, Who was the Chief Minister of the Isle of Man, from December 2006, until October 2011, When he stepped down from office following his decision to retire....
who was elected in the Manx general election, 2006
Manx general election, 2006
A general election was held on Thursday, 23 November 2006 on the Isle of Man. The voting age had been lowered to sixteen at this election. As usual, the election was dominated by independents, who took 21 of the 24 seats.- Background :...
as the Chief Minister of the Isle of Man
Chief Minister of the Isle of Man
The Chief Minister is the executive head of the Isle of Man Government.The office derives from that of Chairman of the Executive Council. Before 1980 the Executive Council was chaired by the Lieutenant Governor, but thereafter the chairman was elected by Tynwald, the parliament of the Isle of Man...
. He retired in 2011 and was replaced by Richard Ronan. In 1874, the House of Keys
House of Keys
The House of Keys is the directly elected lower branch of Tynwald, the parliament of the Isle of Man, the other branch being the Legislative Council....
moved from Castletown to Douglas
Douglas, Isle of Man
right|thumb|250px|Douglas Promenade, which runs nearly the entire length of beachfront in Douglasright|thumb|250px|Sea terminal in DouglasDouglas is the capital and largest town of the Isle of Man, with a population of 26,218 people . It is located at the mouth of the River Douglas, and a sweeping...
.
Demographics
- The Isle of Man census 2006 lists the parish population as 3,109
- The 2001 census revealed a parish population of 3,100 in 2001.
- It is the fourth largest town on the island.
- It was the island's capital until deposed by DouglasDouglas, Isle of Manright|thumb|250px|Douglas Promenade, which runs nearly the entire length of beachfront in Douglasright|thumb|250px|Sea terminal in DouglasDouglas is the capital and largest town of the Isle of Man, with a population of 26,218 people . It is located at the mouth of the River Douglas, and a sweeping...
in 1864.
Geography
The town lies on the northwest side of Castletown Bay. The opposite shore of the bay is the west coast of the distinctively-shaped Langness PeninsulaLangness Peninsula
Langness is a peninsula which protrudes nearly two kilometres from the south eastern extremity of the Isle of Man. Signifying a cape or extended promontory, Langness literally means long promontory in Old Norse. At one time an island, Langness was eventually joined to the mainland by the movement...
and the hamlet of Derbyhaven.
To the north-east is the village of Ballasalla
Ballasalla
Ballasalla is a village in the parish of Malew in the south-east of the Isle of Man, close to the town of Castletown. The village was built mostly from the ruins of the nearby Rushen Abbey, a Cistercian abbey founded in the 12th century and dissolved in the 16th century.-Governance:The local...
, to the north-west the villages of Ballabeg
Ballabeg
There are several small villages and hamlets with the name Ballabeg in the Isle of Man.The name Ballabeg derives from the Manx which means small homestead; although the spelling is different, it is pronounced the same as the English name....
and Colby
Colby
- People :As a surname:* Anita Colby , actress* Anthony Colby , Governor of New Hampshire* Bainbridge Colby * Barbara Colby , actress* C.B...
and to the west Port St. Mary and Port Erin. The A3 road connects Castletown with Ramsey
Ramsey, Isle of Man
Ramsey is a town in the north of the Isle of Man. It is the second largest town on the island after Douglas. Its population is 7,309 according to the 2006 census . It has one of the biggest harbours on the island, and has a prominent derelict pier, called the Queen's Pier. It was formerly one of...
via Douglas
Douglas, Isle of Man
right|thumb|250px|Douglas Promenade, which runs nearly the entire length of beachfront in Douglasright|thumb|250px|Sea terminal in DouglasDouglas is the capital and largest town of the Isle of Man, with a population of 26,218 people . It is located at the mouth of the River Douglas, and a sweeping...
and the A5 road (also known as New Castletown Road as opposed to the Old Castletown Road which takes a more rural route nearer the coast) connects the town with Douglas to the north-east and Port Erin to the west.
The A25 road was the historical route to Douglas and is now bypassed by the A5. There are free electric car
Electric car
An electric car is an automobile which is propelled by electric motor, using electrical energy stored in batteries or another energy storage device. Electric cars were popular in the late-19th century and early 20th century, until advances in internal combustion engine technology and mass...
charging station
Charging station
An electric vehicle charging station, also called EV charging station, electric recharging point, charging point and EVSE , is an element in an infrastructure that supplies electric energy for the recharging of electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric-gasoline vehicles) or semi-static and mobile...
s available in a car park in the centre of the town. The town has several car parks including one above the harbour close to the old school house, to the rear of the Castle Arms and off Victoria Road as well as dedicated parking for the local bank, supermarkets and the railway station. The southern end of the Millennium Way
Millennium Way
The Millennium Way is a long distance footpath on the Isle of Man. The path is approximately 28 miles in length, stretching between Castletown and Ramsey.The footpath was opened in 1979 to mark the thousandth year of the parliament of the Island, Tynwald....
long-distance footpath is at Castletown.
Transport
Buses
Bus services operate through the town to DouglasDouglas, Isle of Man
right|thumb|250px|Douglas Promenade, which runs nearly the entire length of beachfront in Douglasright|thumb|250px|Sea terminal in DouglasDouglas is the capital and largest town of the Isle of Man, with a population of 26,218 people . It is located at the mouth of the River Douglas, and a sweeping...
, Port St. Mary and Port Erin using route numbers 1, 2, 11 and 12; these run about every twenty minutes on weekdays and Saturdays with a less frequent service at weekends and after 6.00pm,. Some of these services (1c and 11b) do not run through the town but use the bypass road. The route is the island's busiest, partially attributed to it being on the route for the island's only commercial airport just outside the town. A late evening service also operates on Friday and Saturday evenings, called the Hullaid Oie (Night Owl) which uses premium fare rates. There are also occasional buses to Peel (Service No. 8) via Foxdale
Foxdale
Foxdale is a village located at the heart of the Isle of Man. The village falls within the sheading and constituency of Glenfaba and is currently represented in Tynwald and the House of Keys by David Anderson MHK who was elected in 2001 and again in 2006. The village is served by Patrick Parish...
; all these buses are within the island's transport network Bus Vannin
Bus Vannin
Bus Vannin is the title of the government owned and operated bus service on the Isle of Man. The name was adopted in June 2009 having previously been branded as Isle of Man Transport...
, a government-run service which replaced the railway-operated Isle Of Man Road Services
Isle of Man Railway
The Isle of Man Railway is a narrow gauge steam-operated railway connecting Douglas with Castletown and Port Erin in the Isle of Man. The line is built to gauge and is long...
in 1976.
Railway
The town is also served by Castletown Railway StationCastletown railway station
Castletown Railway Station is an intermediate station on the Isle of Man Railway on the Isle of Man forming part of sole remaining section of the once extensive network that operated across the island. The station is the busiest of the railway's intermediate stations, being the closest to a number...
which forms part of the sole remaining section of the the Isle of Man Railway
Isle of Man Railway
The Isle of Man Railway is a narrow gauge steam-operated railway connecting Douglas with Castletown and Port Erin in the Isle of Man. The line is built to gauge and is long...
, a 3 ft narrow gauge
Narrow gauge
A narrow gauge railway is a railway that has a track gauge narrower than the of standard gauge railways. Most existing narrow gauge railways have gauges of between and .- Overview :...
steam-operated railway from Douglas to Port Erin. The station is on the northeasterly edge of the town next to Poulsom Park and playing fields, and was at one time used to transport beer from the Castletown Brewery as well as cattle and other livestock; remnants of the cattle dock are still visible at the station which is open seasonally between March and November as well as weekends at Christmas; there is a small volunteer group the Friends Of Castletown Station
Castletown railway station
Castletown Railway Station is an intermediate station on the Isle of Man Railway on the Isle of Man forming part of sole remaining section of the once extensive network that operated across the island. The station is the busiest of the railway's intermediate stations, being the closest to a number...
who tend to the area in association with the Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters' Association
Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters' Association
The Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters' Association is a railway preservationist group dedicated to the continued operation of the Isle of Man Railway on the Isle of Man Since its inception in 1966 the group have provided volunteer workers and a watchdog role and commenced its own project in the...
, a local charity.
Air
The island's only commercial airport, Ronaldsway AirportIsle of Man Airport
Isle of Man Airport , also known as Ronaldsway Airport and, in Manx, Purt Aer Vannin, is the main civilian airport on the Isle of Man. It is located in the south of the island at Ronaldsway near Castletown, southwest of Douglas, the island's capital. Along with the Isle of Man Sea Terminal, it is...
is just over one mile northeast of the town and is served by both Bus Vannin
Bus Vannin
Bus Vannin is the title of the government owned and operated bus service on the Isle of Man. The name was adopted in June 2009 having previously been branded as Isle of Man Transport...
and Castletown Railway Station
Castletown railway station
Castletown Railway Station is an intermediate station on the Isle of Man Railway on the Isle of Man forming part of sole remaining section of the once extensive network that operated across the island. The station is the busiest of the railway's intermediate stations, being the closest to a number...
as well as local taxi services. On foot the airport can be reached by a short walk from the town centre on pedestrian walkways. The airport runways and aprons spread over the area to the edge of the grounds of King William's College
King William's College
King William's College is a leading world International Baccalaureate HMC independent school for ages 3 to 18, situated near Castletown on the Isle of Man...
and close to the Janet's Corner local authority housing estate. The airport was first used as an airfield in 1928 with passenger services to the mainland commencing in 1933 and since this time it has become the premier air facility on the island.
Education
Private College
King William's CollegeKing William's College
King William's College is a leading world International Baccalaureate HMC independent school for ages 3 to 18, situated near Castletown on the Isle of Man...
is an independent school
Independent school (UK)
An independent school is a school that is not financed through the taxation system by local or national government and is instead funded by private sources, predominantly in the form of tuition charges, gifts and long-term charitable endowments, and so is not subject to the conditions imposed by...
. Founded in 1668 with funds from the Bishop Barrow Trust
Bishop Barrow Trust
The Bishop Barrow Trust was founded in 1668 by Dr. Isaac Barrow, Bishop of Sodor & Mann . Barrow founded the trust with the idea of building a university on the Isle of Man. He was shocked at the state of knowledge of the Manx clergy and decided that the best way to eradicate their ignorance was...
, it opened in 1833 with 46 boys. It is now co-educational, with about 500 pupils. The college has two sites in the town: the main estate is near the shore of Castletown Bay at the end of the main airport runway, and the Buchan School
The Buchan School
The Buchan School is an independent primary school in the south of the Isle of Man, catering for children aged 3–11. It is the junior school of King William's College.- History :...
, the College's junior school, is in the Westhill area of Castletown, about two km from the main campus.
State Schools
Other schools are: Castle Rushen High SchoolCastle Rushen High School
Castle Rushen High School is a co-educational secondary state school located in Castletown on the Isle of Man for pupils in the South of the Island.-Isle of Man School System:Main article: Education in the Isle of Man...
, a co-educational secondary state school in the SW of the town; and one primary school, Victoria Road School, originally opened as a boys' school in 1895, with a girls' school in Hope Street.. The old grammar school in the town, which later became a chapel, is now an exhibit of a Victorian period schoolroom, part of the Story Of Mann. This is open to the public between Easter and November and can be found close to the castle and the Old House Of Keys.
Religion
Methodist
There are three churches in the town. Castletown Methodist Church on Arbory Street, founded in 1932, is part of the Methodist Church in the Isle of Man, which in turn is part of the British Methodist Connexion. it can trace its story back to the visits of the founder of Methodism John Wesley to the town in the eighteenth century. It is sometimes known locally as Arbory Street to distinguish it from Malew Street when the former was the Wesleyan Methodist and the latter the Primitive Methodist Chapel.Anglican
On the town square is Old St. Mary's Church which is now office accommodation. It once had a spire, but this was lost in the early 1900s. The "new" St. Mary's on the harbour replaced this church and can be found to the side of Thirtle Bridge on the approach to the town. Known as St. Mary’s On The Harbour the address is on Hope Street, being the Church for the Parish of Castletown in the Diocese of Sodor and ManDiocese of Sodor and Man
Sodor and Man is a diocese of the Church of England. Originally much larger, today it covers just the Isle of Man and its adjacent islets.-Early history:...
. The church building was consecrated as a church in 1985 when the congregation moved from the Garrison (Old St. Mary's) Church in Castletown Square.
Catholic
St Mary's Roman Catholic Church on Bowling Green Road, built in the 1820s, it was the first post-reformation Catholic Church to be built on the islandRoman Catholicism in the Isle of Man
The Roman Catholic Church in the Isle of Man is part of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and curia in Rome....
.. It can be found on the approach to the town, a short walk from the square close to the roundabout leading to the town, airport and Derbyhaven village. This makes the third church in the town to be so titled, dedicated to Mary, after the title of the Rushen Abbey of St. Mary, the windows depicting the Annunciation and the Resurrection, the work of the Clarke Brothers of Dublin, are part of its features.
Malew
Further afield is Malew Church, just over a mile north of the town on the A4 road towards St. John's, a road which forms part of the Billown CircuitBillown Circuit
The Billown Circuit describes a motor-cycle racing course used for the Southern 100, Pre-TT Classic Races and the National Road Races Meeting in Castletown in the Isle of Man...
. This has its own graveyard, unlike the churches in the town; the road which doglegs around the church grounds has the title Church Bends on the racing circuit.
King William's
There is also a private chapel at King William's College, which was built in 1878, consecrated 28th January the following year. Designed by local architect James Cowle it features a scissor-braced roof with canopied stalls. Two-sided windows commemorate T.E.Brown, an old boy of the college.Sport
Football
The town has a thriving sports community, including Castletown Metropolitan F.C.Castletown Metropolitan F.C.
Castletown Metropolitan F.C. are a football club from Castletown on the Isle of Man. They compete in the Isle of Man Football League and wear a red and white kit. They play their home games at Malew Road in Castletown.-History:...
who play in the Isle of Man Football League
Isle of Man Football League
The Isle of Man Football League, also known as Canada Life Premier League due to sponsorship purposes, is a football league for clubs on the Isle of Man run by the Isle of Man Football Association. The league does not form part of the English football league system. All clubs on the island are...
and are based at the Castletown Football Stadium, Malew Road. Formed in 1904, the club is one of the most successful on the Isle of Man.[1] They have been champions of the Isle of Man League eight times, including three consecutive seasons from 1922-23 to 1924-25[2] and won the Manx FA Cup six timesThey are one of the most successful clubs on the island, having been League champions eight times and won the Manx F.A. Cup seven times.
Rugby
There are two Rugby unionRugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
football
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
clubs in the town, Castletown R.U.F.C.
Castletown R.U.F.C.
Castletown R.U.F.C. is a Rugby union football club in Castletown, Isle of Man.- History :The club traces its roots back to the late 1960s, when a rugby club, Ronaldsway Rugby Club, was formed by employees of the Ronaldsway Aircraft Company....
who are based at Poulsom Park. The club has completed the building of permanent changing facilities to replace the porta-cabins. They were officially opened in October 2006 and built with the support of the Rugby Football Union (RFU), Manx Lottery Trust, Manx Sports Council, Castletown Commissioners and the members of the team. With the newly formed Castletown Rugby Union Football Club Limited, the club has secured the tenure on the pitch at Poulsom Park, having taken on a lease from the Castletown Commissioners. The second team isSouthern Nomads R.U.F.C.
Southern Nomads R.U.F.C.
Southern Nomads R.U.F.C. is a Rugby Football club in Port Erin, Isle of Man.The Southern Nomads RUFC are an amateur rugby union team formed in 1982 who play on the Isle of Man and have played competitively in the Manx Shield and Manx Cup competitions every year since then...
who are based at King William's College. They both play in the Manx Shield.
Cricket
Castletown cricketCricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
club is based at King William's College and is a member of the Isle of Man Cricket Association
Isle of Man Cricket Association
The Isle of Man Cricket Association is the official ICC recognised organisation chosen to represent Isle of Man in terms of cricket matters....
.
Golf
Castletown Golf & Country ClubCastletown Golf & Country Club
Castletown Golf & Country Club, Langness Peninsula, Derbyhaven, Isle of Man.Castletown Golf Links is a tournament golf course on the Isle of Man, and is aA Top 100 course designed by Old Tom Morris and redesigned by Mackenzie Ross...
is located on the Langness Peninsula
Langness Peninsula
Langness is a peninsula which protrudes nearly two kilometres from the south eastern extremity of the Isle of Man. Signifying a cape or extended promontory, Langness literally means long promontory in Old Norse. At one time an island, Langness was eventually joined to the mainland by the movement...
, Derbyhaven
Derbyhaven
Derbyhaven is a hamlet near Castletown in the southern parish of Malew, Isle of Man. It is located on the isthmus connecting Langness Peninsula to the rest of the island, on the bay of the same name, and also on Castletown Bay on the other side of the isthmus.In the 17th century it was a...
. It is a tournament golf course, and is a A Top 100 course designed by Old Tom Morris and redesigned by Mackenzie Ross. It offers a 17th hole with the unusual feature of a drive over the Irish Sea. The links has hosted, among other events, the PGA Cup (1979), Europro Tour 2002, Manx Classic Pro Am and the Duke of York Young Champions Trophy in 2003 and again in 2005.
Racing
The Billown CircuitBillown Circuit
The Billown Circuit describes a motor-cycle racing course used for the Southern 100, Pre-TT Classic Races and the National Road Races Meeting in Castletown in the Isle of Man...
motor cycling course has its start line in the town. The course is home to the Southern 100
Southern 100
The Southern 100 is a motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man in July of each year. The event was first held in 1955, when there were three races for different classes of motorcycles; the current calendar includes twelve races for various classes...
, a motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man in July of each year. The event was first held in 1955, when there were three races for different classes of motorcycles; the current calendar includes twelve races for various classes. The paddock, clubhouse and race control are all located on the outskirts of the town.
Tennis
Next to the bowling green is Castletown Lawn TennisTennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
Club, probably the most successful tennis club on the Isle of Man. With teams in all local leagues. The club has recently won 6 leagues in the 2010-1011 season.
Swimming
Southern Swimming Pool is a 25 metre, five lane Short courseShort course
In Swimming, the term Short Course is used to identify a pool that is 25 metres in length. The term is also often included in meet names when conducted in a short course pool...
pool.
World Championship Tin Bath Races
This annual event takes place in the middle harbour; the event is organised by The Castletown Ale Drinkers Society and is sponsored by local breweries, with support from the Isle of Man Department of Community, Culture and Leisure with further sponsorship from local radio station Three Fm. It raises money for local charities. Each year there are over 100 competitors and teams from the Isle of Man and elsewhere. in 2011 the event celebrated its fortieth anniversary.2011 Commonwealth Youth Games
The "culture day" prior to the closing ceremony of the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games2011 Commonwealth Youth Games
The 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games, officially known as the IV Commonwealth Youth Games is a multi-sport event which took place in the British Crown Dependency of Isle of Man from 7 to 13 September 2011. As per the original quadrennial cycle, the Games were scheduled for 2012...
were held in Castletown on 12 September 2011 with competitors all travelling by steam train to the town square where a number of attractions were laid on.
Landmarks
- Castle RushenCastle RushenCastle Rushen is a medieval castle located in the Isle of Man's historic capital, Castletown in the south of the island. It towers over the Market Square to the south-east and the harbour to the north-east...
is a medievalMiddle AgesThe Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
castleCastleA castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
which towers over the Market Square to the south-east and the harbour to the north-east. HMS Rushen Castle (K372)HMS Rushen Castle (K372)HMS Rushen Castle was a Castle-class corvette of the United Kingdom's Royal Navy. She was named after Castle Rushen in Castletown, Isle of Man....
, a former Castle-classCastle class corvetteThe Castle-class corvettes were an updated version of the much more numerous Flower-class corvettes of the Royal Navy, and started appearing during late 1943...
corvetteCorvetteA corvette is a small, maneuverable, lightly armed warship, originally smaller than a frigate and larger than a coastal patrol craft or fast attack craft , although many recent designs resemble frigates in size and role...
of the Royal NavyRoyal NavyThe Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, was named after the castle. It is the focal point of the town and is open to the public seasonally between Easter and October annually.
- The Old House Of KeysOld House of KeysThe Old House of Keys is the former meeting place of the House of Keys, the lower house of Tynwald, the Isle of Man's parliament. It is located in Castletown, the former capital of the Isle of Man, in the south of the island...
was the location of TynwaldTynwaldThe Tynwald , or more formally, the High Court of Tynwald is the legislature of the Isle of Man. It is claimed to be the oldest continuous parliamentary body in the world, consisting of the directly elected House of Keys and the indirectly chosen Legislative Council.The Houses sit jointly, for...
, the Manx parliament, until it moved in 1874 to Douglas. The house was renovated in 2000 and is run as a museum by Manx National HeritageManx National HeritageManx National Heritage is the national heritage organisation for the Isle of Man. It was established in 1951 as the Manx National Trust, and its legal title is the Manx Museum and National Trust.-Overview:...
. Tynwald used to meet in Castletown except on Tynwald DayTynwald DayTynwald Day is the National Day of the Isle of Man, usually occurring on 5 July.On this day the Isle's legislature, Tynwald, meets at St John's, instead of its usual meeting place, Douglas. The session is held partly in the Royal Chapel of St John the Baptist and partly in the open air on the...
, when it traditionally met (and still meets) on Tynwald Hill in St John's.
- The Old Grammar SchoolThomas Wilson (bishop)Thomas Wilson was Anglican Bishop of Sodor and Man between 1697 and 1755.He was born in Burton and Ness, in the Wirral, Cheshire, in December 1663. Having studied medicine at Trinity College, Dublin, he was ordained priest in 1689...
was originally built as a chapel about 1190 - 1230 and is located in the harbour to the rear of the town square at the side of a large car park. The building stopped being a school in the 1930s and is now a museum exhibit open seasonally in connection with the other Story Of Mann sites in the town. - The Nautical Museum (also known as The Peggy Story in recent times) opened in 1951; the main focus of the museum is an 18th century yacht, the Peggy, housed in the boat cellar, where she has been since the 19th century. She had been bricked up and forgotten before being rediscovered by workmen.
- The Museum Of WitchcraftMuseum of WitchcraftMuseum of Witchcraft in Boscastle, Cornwall, England is a museum dedicated to witchcraft and has the largest collection of witchcraft and Wiccan related artifacts in the world...
was in existence in the town for a short period at the Witches Mill which has since been redeveloped as apartments. It was operated by the well-known self-proclaimed witch Gerald GardnerGerald GardnerGerald Brousseau Gardner , who sometimes used the craft name Scire, was an influential English Wiccan, as well as an amateur anthropologist and archaeologist, writer, weaponry expert and occultist. He was instrumental in bringing the Neopagan religion of Wicca to public attention in Britain and...
who ran it under the title Folklore Center of Superstition and Witchcraft becoming a familiar figure in the town.
- The Railway StationCastletown railway stationCastletown Railway Station is an intermediate station on the Isle of Man Railway on the Isle of Man forming part of sole remaining section of the once extensive network that operated across the island. The station is the busiest of the railway's intermediate stations, being the closest to a number...
was constructed in 1902 from locally sourced limestone from Scarlett Point and has been extensively refurbished in recent times, notably being overhauled in 1994 to original form. It is open seasonally and many people's first encounter with the town is their arrival at the station which is a short walk from the centre.
- The Scarlett Point Visitor CentreMalewMalew is a parish in the Isle of Man. It is in the sheading of Rushen together with the neighbouring parishes of Rushen and Arbory.Malew parish covers an area from Langness Peninsula and Scarlett up to Foxdale, and includes the villages of Ballasalla, St Mark's and Derbyhaven. The area includes...
is found at the south-western tip of Castletown Bay and forms part of the Millennium WayMillennium WayThe Millennium Way is a long distance footpath on the Isle of Man. The path is approximately 28 miles in length, stretching between Castletown and Ramsey.The footpath was opened in 1979 to mark the thousandth year of the parliament of the Island, Tynwald....
, a long distance footpathLong-distance trailLong-distance trails are the longer recreational trails mainly through rural areas, used for non-motorised recreational travelling ....
, opened in 1979, which begins at Castle Rushen, heading north towards Ramsey. The Raad ny FoillanRaad ny Foillanis a long distance footpath in the Isle of Man.-Route and history:The starts and finishes at the Millennium Bridge over Douglas Harbour...
long distance coastal footpath opened in 1986 runs along the coast in the town.
Architecture
Much of the attraction of Castletown is in the quality of its period buildings, many constructed of the local silver-grey limestone. The layout of the town centre still retains its early arrangement, echoing the cluster of houses around the military parade ground, which still has its alternative use as market place. The interested visitor can still identify the original building plots, and the crofts attached to them, which have given their name to a residential area close to the town centre.Notable people
- John ChristianJohn Christian (Deemster)John Christian JP was a First Deemster of the Isle of Man.Christian was born in Castletown in 1776. He was educated at Eton and St. John's College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. as 8th Wrangler in 1798 and graduated MA in 1801. Admitted to Lincoln's Inn on 23 January 1798, he was registered...
a justice of the peaceJustice of the PeaceA justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
was born in Castletown in 1776, was a First Deemster of the island - Sir Joseph QualtroughJoseph Davidson QualtroughSir Joseph Davidson Qualtrough JP SHK was one of the most renowned Manx politicians ever and Speaker of the House of Keys from 1937 to 1960....
was born in Castletown in 1885. He was Speaker of the House of KeysSpeaker of the House of KeysThe Speaker of the House of Keys is the principal officer of the House of Keys, the lower house of the Isle of Man legislature. The Speaker is elected from the membership of the house at its first sitting after an election. He is responsible for controlling the procedure of the House and for...
from 1937 to 1960. - Tony BrownJames Anthony BrownJames Anthony "Tony" Brown is a Manx politician, former businessman and electrician, Who was the Chief Minister of the Isle of Man, from December 2006, until October 2011, When he stepped down from office following his decision to retire....
retired chief minister of the island (1996-2011) still resides in the town - John ReadyJohn ReadyMajor General The Honourable John Ready was a British army officer, who served as Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island from 1824 to 1831 and also as Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man from 1832 to 1845.-Career:...
British army officer who served as Lieutenant Governor of the island (1832-1845) died in the town and was buried on the island with full military honours - Jeremy ClarksonJeremy ClarksonJeremy Charles Robert Clarkson is an English broadcaster, journalist and writer who specialises in motoring. He is best known for his role on the BBC TV show Top Gear along with co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May...
journalist and television personality has a property on the outskirts of the town - Bishop Thomas WilsonThomas Wilson (bishop)Thomas Wilson was Anglican Bishop of Sodor and Man between 1697 and 1755.He was born in Burton and Ness, in the Wirral, Cheshire, in December 1663. Having studied medicine at Trinity College, Dublin, he was ordained priest in 1689...
was imprisoned at Castle Rushen during his tenure as the island's bishop - Illiam DhoneIlliam DhoneIlliam Dhône or Illiam Dhôan was a famous Manx nationalist and politician. He was a son of Ewan Christian, a deemster. In Manx, Illiam Dhône literally translates to 'Brown William' - a name he received due to his dark hair, and in English he was called Brown-haired William...
was a local nationalist and politician, executed at Hango Hill outside the town - John KewishJohn KewishJohn Kewish, Jr. was the last person executed by the Isle of Man. He was convicted and executed for the crime of patricide.-Background:...
last person to be hanged on the islandCapital punishment in the Isle of ManThe Isle of Man formally abolished capital punishment in 1993, but in practice had not used it for many decades. The Isle of Man is a British Crown dependency, but not part of the United Kingdom ....
in Castle Rushen on 1 August 1872
MHKs and elections
| Year | Election | Turnout | Candidates | Elected | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1903 | General Election |
? |
|
George Moore George Moore may refer to:*George Edward Moore , G.E. Moore, British philosopher*George Moore , Member of Parliament for Dublin City 1826–1831*George Moore , landowner and High Sheriff of Derbyshire... |
|
| 1919 |
By Election |
? |
|
Joseph Davidson Qualtrough Sir Joseph Davidson Qualtrough JP SHK was one of the most renowned Manx politicians ever and Speaker of the House of Keys from 1937 to 1960.... |
|
| 1919 |
General Election |
Unopposed |
|
Joseph Davidson Qualtrough Sir Joseph Davidson Qualtrough JP SHK was one of the most renowned Manx politicians ever and Speaker of the House of Keys from 1937 to 1960.... |
|
| 1924 |
General Election |
Unopposed |
|
Joseph Davidson Qualtrough Sir Joseph Davidson Qualtrough JP SHK was one of the most renowned Manx politicians ever and Speaker of the House of Keys from 1937 to 1960.... |
|
| 1929 |
General Election |
Unopposed |
|
Joseph Davidson Qualtrough Sir Joseph Davidson Qualtrough JP SHK was one of the most renowned Manx politicians ever and Speaker of the House of Keys from 1937 to 1960.... |
|
| 1934 |
General Election |
Unopposed |
|
Joseph Davidson Qualtrough Sir Joseph Davidson Qualtrough JP SHK was one of the most renowned Manx politicians ever and Speaker of the House of Keys from 1937 to 1960.... |
|
| 1946 |
General Election |
? |
|
Joseph Davidson Qualtrough Sir Joseph Davidson Qualtrough JP SHK was one of the most renowned Manx politicians ever and Speaker of the House of Keys from 1937 to 1960.... |
|
| 1951 |
General Election |
? |
|
Joseph Davidson Qualtrough Sir Joseph Davidson Qualtrough JP SHK was one of the most renowned Manx politicians ever and Speaker of the House of Keys from 1937 to 1960.... |
|
| 1956 |
General Election |
? |
|
Joseph Davidson Qualtrough Sir Joseph Davidson Qualtrough JP SHK was one of the most renowned Manx politicians ever and Speaker of the House of Keys from 1937 to 1960.... |
|
| 1960 |
By Election |
? |
|
|
Death of Sir Joseph David Qualtrough CBE |
| 1966 | ? |
? |
|
Colin Vereker, 8th Viscount Gort Colin Leopold Prendergast "Kim" Vereker, 8th Viscount Gort MHK, JP was an Irish peer.Gort was the son of Leopold George Prendergast Vereker and Helen Marjorie Campbell, and the grandson of the Hon. Foley Charles Prendergast Vereker, the second son of the fourth Viscount. He was educated at... |
|
| 1971 |
General Election |
? |
|
|
|
| 1981 |
General Election |
? |
? |
|
|
| 1986 |
General Election |
67.4% |
|
James Anthony Brown James Anthony "Tony" Brown is a Manx politician, former businessman and electrician, Who was the Chief Minister of the Isle of Man, from December 2006, until October 2011, When he stepped down from office following his decision to retire.... |
|
| 1991 |
General Election |
Elected Unopposed |
|
James Anthony Brown James Anthony "Tony" Brown is a Manx politician, former businessman and electrician, Who was the Chief Minister of the Isle of Man, from December 2006, until October 2011, When he stepped down from office following his decision to retire.... |
|
| 1996 |
General Election |
67.2% |
|
James Anthony Brown James Anthony "Tony" Brown is a Manx politician, former businessman and electrician, Who was the Chief Minister of the Isle of Man, from December 2006, until October 2011, When he stepped down from office following his decision to retire.... |
|
| 2001 |
General Election |
Elected Unopposed |
|
James Anthony Brown James Anthony "Tony" Brown is a Manx politician, former businessman and electrician, Who was the Chief Minister of the Isle of Man, from December 2006, until October 2011, When he stepped down from office following his decision to retire.... |
|
| 2006 |
General Election |
|
James Anthony Brown James Anthony "Tony" Brown is a Manx politician, former businessman and electrician, Who was the Chief Minister of the Isle of Man, from December 2006, until October 2011, When he stepped down from office following his decision to retire.... |
||
| 2011 |
General Election |
|
|