Ramsey

Ramsey is the second in importance of the Island's commercial ports. Here the mix of fishing vessels, commercial shipping and leisure craft have to be managed in such a manner that one does not interfere with the other, not an easy task in such an overcrowded harbour. It is possible that a marina scheme by a private company may be progressed in the foreseeable future. The Department of Local Government and the Environment is the lead Department for this project with the support of the Department of Transport.

Ramsey has two major Victorian structures which are of historic value to the town and are becoming more expensive to maintain and repair as their age begins to make itself apparent. The Queen's Pier is currently undergoing a "mothballing" programme until Government can find the money to restore or partially restore it to its former state. Tynwald have recently resolved that this structure should be transferred to Manx Heritage who will undertake its renovation. The swingbridge has just undergone a major mechanical refurbishment and is currently being assessed for a major re-painting scheme to protect it for the foreseeable future.

 

Last year approximately 95,000 tonnes of "dry" cargo was handled at Ramsey.

Sheltered beneath the slopes of North Barrule lies the northern town of Ramsey which, with a population of nearly 6,000, is the Island's second largest town. It was here that Queen Victoria and her Consort, Prince Albert, arrived unexpectedly in 1847. Recovering from sea-sickness Queen Victoria remained on the Royal Yacht, but Prince Albert ventured ashore and was taken by local tradesmen to a hill overlooking Ramsey from where the royal visitor admired the panoramic view of the north of the Island. So delighted were the townspeople that they erected the Albert Tower on the spot where the Prince stood. The Tower is the most familiar landmark in the north. Ramsey was also the landing place for the Viking warrior Godred Crovan who was determined to subjugate the Island and make it his kingdom. Two miles inland, on Sky Hill, was fought the most important battle in Manx history which resulted in two hundred years of Viking rule, thus forming the basis of the Manx nation and many of the traditions that continue today.

Ramsey is the only town to boast an iron pier which was built in 1886 reaching into Ramsey Bay. It helped Ramsey develop into a favourite resort, but like many of its Victorian contemporaries, the pier is rapidly succumbing to the ravages of time and the sea. King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra landed there in August, 1902, thus helping the town to claim the title "Royal Ramsey".

It is through Ramsey harbour that the Island's longest river, the Sulby, enters the sea after cascading through the deep Sulby Valley below the Sulby Reservoir. A slower and more torturous route under the northern foothills leads into the waters of the tidal harbour where there is always plenty of activity with the coming and going of local and visiting yachts, trawlers and coasters. The harbour also has a ship repair and building yard visited by fishing boats from all around the Irish Sea. The Manx Sailing and Yachting Club has its headquarters here from where the Round the Island races are organised. Behind the miscellany of quaint buildings along the quay is the shopping thoroughfare of Parliament Street while the old Market Square leads to the St. Paul's shopping precinct. Nearby is the heated swimming pool while the beaches on either side of the harbour entrance have fine stretches of sand.

On the outskirts of Ramsey is the Grove Rural Life Museum, which charmingly displays the furnishing and equipment of a country home of the nineteenth century. Today Ramsey is still the market town of the thriving agricultural community of the north, centred on the village of Andreas.

Crossing the harbour is the fine old swing bridge leading to the north shore with its promenade and the Mooragh Park, Ramsey's main attraction for visitors. The Park was created a hundred years ago out of the old river bed and mud flats. With considerable ingenuity forty acres were reclaimed and laid out with footpaths and gardens, sub-tropical plants helping to make a riot of colour in the summer while being able to survive the generally mild winters. The many palms growing here add to the exotic appeal of the Park. There is also a twelve acre lake for sailing and rowing boats. There are plenty of activities for young and not so young which help to make the Mooragh Park a great favourite with visitors and locals alike.

Northwards from Ramsey the road traverses some gentle hills before reaching the peaceful village of Bride. It takes its name from St. Bridget, another Irish saint to whom many of the Manx churches are dedicated. Bride Church, at the road junction in the village, was built in 1870 and makes use of stone brought from Scotland during the Ice Ages. The northern extremity of the Island's length of 30 miles is at the Point of Ayre which is just 17 miles away from Burrow Head in Dumfries, Scotland, the nearest point of the British mainland. The Point of Ayre lighthouse is one of five positioned around the Island's hundred miles of coastline. The 100 feet high lighthouse was designed by Robert Stevenson of the famous engineering family and is the lighthouse with the longest continual service which began in 1818. To the west of the lighthouse is the stretch of raised beach known as The Ayres whose sand dunes and beach support a rich and varied plant and bird life.

The road along the west side of the Island is the long and fast section of the T.T. Course from Ballacraine passing through the villages of Kirk Michael, Ballaugh and Sulby before arriving in Parliament Square, Ramsey. The church of Kirk Michael contains some of the interesting Manx crosses and one bears the name of Gaut the Scandinavian renowned for his carvings. In recent years hordes of ancient coins and other artefacts have been unearthed in this area. Between Kirk Michael and Ballaugh the road passes Bishop's Court, parts of which date from the fourteenth century and, until recent times, was the residence of the Island's Bishop. Beyond is Ballaugh whose church also has some fine examples of Manx crosses. The road through the village passes over the famous humped-back bridge which is a favourite vantage point for T.T. fans. Another favourite point is the corner at the end of the fast section through Sulby village. From Sulby it is possible to travel inland through the spectacular Tholt-y-Will area where the road climbs steeply, passing the Sulby Reservoir before joining the Snaefell mountain section of the T.T. Course.

Access to the popular Wild Life Park can be gained from the T.T. Course between Ballaugh and Sulby. The Wild Life Park has been created out of the boggy area known as the Ballaugh Curraghs, another relic from the Ice Ages. Botanists have been intrigued to find the remains of plant and animal life which today exists only in Arctic regions. The spacious grounds of the Park provide a natural setting for a variety of birds, animals and reptiles. Most popular are the penguins, pelicans, otters and sea lions. The Wildlife Park also takes care of a few of the native Manx Loghtan sheep originally brought to the Isle of Man by the Vikings. This breed sports four to six horns and its warm brown wool was spun, undyed for the making of socks and for the making of cloth for men's suits in the old crofting days.