Kirk Michael

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Kirk Michael
  • Manx: Skylley Maayl
Kirk Michael, The A3 - geograph.org.uk - 481850.jpg
The A3
Parish Michael
Sheading Michael
Crown dependency Isle of Man
Postcode district IM
Police Isle of Man
Fire Isle of Man
Ambulance Isle of Man
List of places
Isle of Man

Kirk Michael (Manx : Skylley Maayl) is a small village and the principal settlement in the parish of Michael, Isle of Man. It is an agricultural village near the west coast, situated along the A3, 7 miles northeast of Peel on the way to Ballaugh. [1]

Contents

History

Writer John R. Quayle speculated Kirk Michael and Michael parish had historically been an important location as the sight of early Tynwald sittings at Reneurling one mile south of the village during the Middle Ages until 1422 and residence of the Lord Bishop at Bishopscourt one-and-a-half miles north of the village. The village was historically referred to as Kirk Michaell Town. [2]

The Mitre Hotel, the local public house built in the early 19th century, [3] is named in connection with Bishop's Court and was once patronised by Fletcher Christian (Mutiny on the Bounty). "Christian" is a popular Manx surname. On the same plot of land as the Mitre Hotel stands the Ecclesiastical Courthouse. First built in 1766, at the request of Bishop Wilson, and then later rebuilt in 1835, it was the last working rural courthouse on the Isle of Man.

Circa 1927, the village had a population of 353 residents, which was a decline. [2]

Religion

The name of the village is derived from "Kirk" ("Church") of Michael. While the parish church site in the village dates back to the 13th century, the present Church of St Michael and All Angels was consecrated in 1835 and built in the Gothic Revival style. The church holds a large collection of Manx Norse crosses. [4] [5]

In addition to St Michael's and All Angels church, a Primitive Methodist chapel opened in Kirk Michael in 1824. Ebenezer Hall from 1868 is currently is use. [6]

Kirk Michael village hosts the Oie'll Verree at Ebenezer Hall, an annual Manx live music tradition held to mark the "old" Christmas Eve on 5 January. [7] [ better source needed ]

Amenities

The village is served by several small local shops, a primary school and a public house. Glen Wyllin, with its campsite and mill, is located just south of the village. [8]

Transport

Kirk Michael is served by buses to Ramsey, Peel and Douglas. It is on the course of the former Manx Northern Railway. [9]

The main road running through Kirk Michael forms part of the Isle of Man TT road race course known as the Snaefell Mountain Course, on the A3 leading towards Ballaugh Bridge. As of 2019, between 4,600 and 5,400 vehicles passed through the village on the A3. [10] As of 2025, there are plans to lower speed limits within Kirk Michael. [11]

Notable people

Twin towns

Flag of Nepal.svg Ghamrang, Nepal [13]

References

  1. ↑ Coakley, Frances. "Kirk Michael Village". Manx Notebook. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  2. 1 2 Quayle, John R (1927). "Saint Michael's Church: Historical gleanings of the church and parish" . Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  3. ↑ "What to see". Michael District Commissioner. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  4. ↑ "Early historical sites: Kirk Michael". Isle of Man Guide. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  5. ↑ "Kirk Michael". Great English Churches. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  6. ↑ Hill, Christopher (19 March 2020). "Kirk Michael Primitive Methodist chapels". My Primitive Methodist. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  7. ↑ Caine, Valerie (30 January 2018). "Isle of Man: Oie'll Verree at Kirk Michael Brings in the Crowds". Transceltic. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  8. ↑ "Glen Wyllin". Visit Isle of Man. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  9. ↑ "St John's and Kirk Michael railway line could become cycle route". BBC News. 24 October 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  10. ↑ "Kirk Michael road improvements plan to tame village traffic". BBC News. 30 September 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  11. ↑ "Chance to find out about 20mph zones in Kirk Michael". 3FM. 16 July 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  12. ↑ "John Rhys-Davies on Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones and living in the Isle of Man". ITV News. 16 August 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  13. ↑ Hardman, Paul (18 January 2021). "30 years of Manx ties with Nepal to continue". Isle of Man Today. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
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