Letter from G. Nicolson to Mr. Bowes reporting on attempts by Islanders (Manx) to land in Scotland, with intelligence that they were deterred by defensive preparations. Dated 1 August 1595 (37 Eliz). Originally from State Paper Office, Scotland. Provides evidence of 16th-century Isle of Man activity and cross-border tensions.
The Gaiety Theatre opened on 16 July 1900 to a design by the celebrated theatre architect Frank Matcham, and is regarded as one of his finest surviving works. The site had first been developed in 1893 as a theatre called The Marina, designed by John Rennison for a consortium including tramway pioneer Thomas Lightfoot; the consortium went bankrupt within six months and the building was bought at auction and renamed The Pavilion. In December 1899 the Palace and Derby Castle Company commissioned Matcham to remodel the narrow shell of The Pavilion into an opera house and theatre, which reopened as the Gaiety and could seat nearly 2,000 people. It enjoyed particular success in the Edwardian era up to the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, and the theatre has since undergone extensive restoration works to return it to its original condition.
St German's Cathedral, possibly on the site of a predecessor, was founded in the 13th-14th centuries but due to the incursions of the raiding Scots was protected by a curtain wall and gatehouse in the later 14th century, a feature that was to develop into the fortress and garrison of Peel Castle during the 15th to 19th centuries.
This garage building to the rear of Parliament Square (recorded in the Island's register as standing behind the former "Clarksons" premises at 1 Parliament Square) was entered on the Protected Buildings Register in 1984. No further documented history was found beyond the bare registration record.
The location of a possible cave dwelling, which was excavated by W. Cubbon et al. The floor of the cave was paved with large slabs and what appeared to be worked flints were present as well as an oval slate object. "Geological samples" were found below the floor.
Historic sheading and judicial district on the eastern side of the Isle of Man.
Garff was one of the six traditional sheadings into which the Island was divided for administrative and judicial purposes. Before 1796 it included Onchan as well as Lonan and Maughold. The Common Law Courts Act of that year altered the boundaries: Lonan and Maughold were constituted the Sheading of Garff, while Onchan was transferred into Middle.
The sheading had its own Coroner. Daniel Quark, examined by the Commissioners of Inquiry in October 1791, described the office as annual and carrying a salary of £3 sterling. In civil matters the Coroner summoned juries, served and levied processes issued by the Governor, Deemster, Water-Bailiff and High-Bailiff, and summoned juries of inquiry in trespass cases.
The Coroner also served the first process in Common Law actions, executed search warrants in criminal matters and apprehended offenders. Once each year he gave notice to the master of every herring boat in his district to attend the Custom House and pay the herring duty.
Garff’s Common Law Court was held at Douglas. The 1791 constitutional evidence described the Sheading Courts as meeting twice each year, generally in May and October. Glanfaba, Michael and Ayre were heard at Peel; Garff at Douglas; and Middle and Rushen at Castletown. Juries dealt with land titles, debts and other civil actions, while the Great Inquest presented nuisances.
St German's Cathedral, possibly on the site of a predecessor, was founded in the 13th-14th centuries but due to the incursions of the raiding Scots was protected by a curtain wall and gatehouse in the later 14th century, a feature that was to develop into the fortress and garrison of Peel Castle during the 15th to 19th centuries.
This gatekeeper's hut stands beside a level crossing on the Isle of Man Steam Railway's line between Castletown and Port St Mary, which opened as part of the route to Port Erin in 1874. It originally housed the crossing keeper responsible for manually operating the level-crossing gates; automatic barriers were introduced in 2002, after which the gates were removed and the hut fell out of everyday use, though it has continued to provide storage for the railway outside the operating season. The hut sits beside what is now a converted gatekeeper's cottage offering holiday accommodation near Port St Mary railway station.
