Isle of Man - Castles

Peel

The ruins of Peel Castle lie on St. Patrick's Isle, formerly an island accessible only at low tide, but now permanently attached to the mainland by road.

The castle was once an abbey, and the grounds contain the ruins of St. German's Cathedral.

The ramparts are said to be haunted by the ghost of a wild dog which can still be heard howling on stormy nights!

It was on the site of the Castle that one of the richest Viking pagan graves ever discovered was excavated, the buried artefacts, and remains of the 'Pagan Lady' can now be found at the Manx Museum in Douglas.

Rushen

Castle Rushen, situated in Castletown, the ancient capital of the Isle of Man was founded by the Norse King's of Mann.

Built to protect the Island from invasion, more recently it has been used as a prison, and lunatic asylum, it still houses the Court of Justice.

The castle contains reconstructed scenes of castle life, and the workings of the ancient single handed clock.

Derby Fort

Dating from the reign of Henry VIII, the round fort on Langness was re-fortified in the 17th century by the Earl of Derby when it was renamed.

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