Langness Peninsula

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Langness Peninsula
Aerial image of Langness Peninsular, Isle of Man.jpg
Langness Peninsula and St Michael's Isle
Isle of Man location map.svg
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Langness Peninsula
Location within the Isle of Man
Crown dependency Isle of Man
List of places
Isle of Man
54°03′45″N4°37′15″W / 54.06250°N 4.62083°W / 54.06250; -4.62083
Coastal erosion on Langness Peninsula Coastal erosion on the Langness Peninsula - geograph.org.uk - 490714.jpg
Coastal erosion on Langness Peninsula

Langness (Manx : Langlish) is a peninsula which protrudes two kilometres at the southern extremity of the Isle of Man. Signifying a cape or extended promontory, Langness literally means "long promontory" in Old Norse. Formerly an island, Langness was eventually joined to the mainland by the movement and deposition of material along Castletown Bay to form a tombolo. The small community of Derbyhaven is situated on the east coast of this isthmus, which lies close to Castletown, Isle of Man.

Contents

History

The old Manx name for Langness was Oaie Ny Baatyn Marroo, which translates as the "Grave yard of the Lost Ships". Before Langness Lighthouse was built on Dreswick Point in 1880, wrecks on the peninsula were common. During periods of low visibility the only foghorn was a cow's horn which would be blown by a party of men on the shore – the sound of which carried for half a mile at best. [1]

The Potato Grave

Near the lighthouse is a turf-covered mound, known as the potato grave. In 1832 a ship carrying Irish workers to the Isle of Man to dig potatoes was lost with all hands, and 32 bodies were washed ashore. It was customary on the island to bury a body washed ashore behind a hedge in the place it had been found, and so a communal grave was dug and all 32 bodies placed within it. [1] No stone marks the grave; the only memorial of the victims is a turf-covered mound. [1]

Geography

The peninsula is close to Ronaldsway Airport, and a good view of the peninsula can be obtained from the port side of aircraft landing on the westerly facing runway. It is also within easy walking distance from Castletown, and the peninsula itself features an interesting nature trail. [2] Coastal erosion has carved parts of the coast into sea arches, which are also of geological interest as they contain an unconformity: parts of the rocks are nearly 500 million years old, other parts are some 150 million years younger. [3]

At the southern tip of the peninsula is Dreswick Point, the southernmost point of the Manx mainland, whilst St Michael's Isle (popularly known as Fort Island) is connected at the northern end of the peninsula by a narrow causeway.

A feature of the peninsula is the Herring Tower, a daymark built in 1811. [2] Other structures to be found on the peninsula include the remains of a World War II-era gun training range, close to the lighthouse, and a memorial to local naturalist Henry Madoc, who was also the island's Chief Constable. [3]

Natural history

The peninsula is a popular haunt of birdwatchers, and has bird life ranging from golden plovers and curlews to merlins and kestrels. [4] St. Michael's Island is a bird sanctuary. [2]

Dolphins and porpoises can also occasionally seen in the waters off the peninsula. [2]

Leisure

The Castletown Golf & Country Club (formerly also a hotel, closed since 2007) is set on the peninsula and the isthmus connecting it with Derbyhaven and has been the scene of many international championships. In 2005, the Duke of York Young Champions Trophy golf championships were held at the club.

Related Research Articles

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The Isle of Man is an island in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland in Northern Europe, with a population of almost 85,000. It is a British Crown dependency. It has a small islet, the Calf of Man, to its south. It is located at 54°15′N4°30′W.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Michael's Isle</span> Island of the Isle of Man

St Michael's Isle, more commonly referred to as Fort Island, is an island in Malew parish in the Isle of Man, noted for its attractive ruins. It covers an area of 5.14 hectares, is about 400 metres long from west to east, and is connected to the Langness Peninsula, near Derbyhaven, by a narrow causeway. The island itself is made of rocky slate and the soil is very acidic. Nevertheless, it has important communities of maritime plants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castletown, Isle of Man</span> A town in the Isle of Man

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Illiam Dhone</span> Manx nationalist and politician (1608–1663)

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dreswick Point</span> Human settlement in the United Kingdom

Dreswick Point is the southernmost point of the main island of the Isle of Man. It is the southern tip of the Langness Peninsula in the south-east of the island, some 2+1⁄2 miles (4.0 km) from Castletown.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derbyhaven</span> Human settlement on the Isle of Man

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Ronaldsway</span> Battle in 1275 in the southern part of the Isle of Man between a Scottish army and the Manx

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Castletown Golf Links is a championship links course at Derbyhaven on the Isle of Man. Its setting on Langness Peninsula provides views of the Irish Sea from all tees, fairways, and greens. The Links was founded in originally laid out by Old Tom Morris in 1891, with Castletown Golf Club founded in 1892. Dr Alister MacKenzie made significant improvements and alterations to the course in 1913. After the war the course was updated by Mackenzie Ross.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rushen (sheading)</span> Sheading of the Isle of Man

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For a small country, sport in the Isle of Man plays an important part in making the island known to the wider world. The principal international sporting event held on the island is the annual Isle of Man TT motorcycling event. However, the Isle of Man is represented internationally in a number of other sports at the Commonwealth Games and the Island Games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raad ny Foillan</span> Long distance footpath in the Isle of Man

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rugby union in the Isle of Man</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Vikings R.U.F.C.</span> Isle of Man rugby union club, based in Peel

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Isle of Man Times. October 14, 1960, p. 4.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Derbyhaven and Langness Nature Walk," www.visitisleofman.com. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  3. 1 2 "Langness," Culture Vannin. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  4. ↑ "Recent sightings 2019," manxbirdlife.im. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
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