Isle of Man Guide

Manx Museum

Ellyntasht Manninagh, Thie Tashtee Vannin

Open:	All year: Monday - Saturday, 10am - 5pm
Price:	Free
Disabled:	Access
Location:	Douglas town centre
Parking:	Ample, close by
Suitable:	All ages

History

The doors to the original Manx Museum opened November 2nd 1922. It was only after much debate and work that the dream of a National Museum was achieved. The building known as Noble's Old Hospital was handed over by the trustees the year before. The opportunity was presented and once the staff salaries were debated things seemed settled. Artifacts from a temporary museum in Castle Rushen, from storage in Peel, and from well known island preservation societies made their way to Douglas. The first open day brought 416 people and for the next few months the admission of 6d was waived.

To celebrate the centenary of the Museum and Ancient Monuments Trustees (appointed by an act of Tynwald in 1886), a new addition to the Manx Museum was proposed in 1986. The project costing £1.3 million would update and redesign the internal building and add a large extension to accommodate an Introduction Theatre, National Art Gallery and Map Gallery. The museum's new look was opened in 1989 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Lord of Mann.

The Manx National Heritage headquarters is based at the Museum, where it continues to provide protection and preservation for the Natural and Cultural past of the island.

Location

A top Crellins Hill on the corner. Entrance off Kindswood Grove where cars enter to park. To avoid climbing Crellins Hill, go on a Monday to Saturday and take the lift for the car park marked with signed for the museum. Cross the blue footbridge and take the gentle incline up to the museum.

By Vehicle:
Travel to Douglas and then along the sea front. Turn down Church Road and then go up Crellins Hill. The Manx Museum is at the top of this hill left side.

By Bus:
Douglas can be reached using most main bus routes: 1's, 2's, 3's, 4's, 5's, and 6's, as well as many other minor routes. On the island most routes lead to/from Douglas.

By Railway:
By Electric Railway, take the trams heading to Douglas. Then walk along the Promenade till you reach the high street area. Walk up Crellins Hill, or go through the doorway at its bottom which has a slow incline up, or take the lift as suggested above.

By Steam Railway, take the train to Douglas and then up the steps onto Bank Hill. Go straight along Athol Street and then uphill a little to Finch Road. Go along Finch Road till you reach Crellins Hill, where you walk up it to the Museum beside the road, or up the slight incline through the doorway at the bottom of the hill, or take the lift as suggested above.

Manx Museum
Douglas
Isle of Man
IM1 3LY
Tel: +44 (0) 1624 648000

Exhibitions and Services

• Film Theatre
• National Art Gallery
• Map Gallery
• Geology Gallery
• Great Deer
• Prehistoric Archaeology
• Viking Gallery
• T.E. Brown Room
• Social History Gallery, The Voice of the People
• Social History Gallery, The Holiday Isle
• Folk Life Gallery
• Temporary Exhibition Gallery
• National History Gallery
• Manx National Heritage Library
• Cafe
• Heritage Shop

Visiting the Manx Museum

There is something for all ages inside this large and well presented national museum. Entering through the main doors, visitors are welcomed and presented with a guide for the museum. They are then shown into the Film Theatre to watch a short presentation about the history of the Isle of Man. After the film visitors are directed into the National Art Gallery, where they are then free to look around or continue on through the museum exhibits.

Most of the Manx Museum is interactive and allows visitors to sample visual, audio and exhibit items, which are of interest to them. Many of the exhibition rooms have interactive material specifically designed for children.

After visiting the museum, there is an elegant cafe and large Heritage Shop near the museum exit doors. For those not interested in visiting the museum, but just wishing to sample the delights of the cafe or have a browse in the Heritage Shop. Enter through the exit doors located on the older building.

Events Dates: Friday 03 September 2010 Description: Dragons Summer Beach Party. Dragons Castle Summer Beach Party from 3pm. Suitable for 7 years and under. Celebrate the last few days of summer with your friend's at the Dragon's Castle. Why not come dressed in your favourite beach wearr or pirate costume and join in the fun and games. Entertainment to include: Admission to the soft Play area. Musical fun and games with prizes to be won courtesy of a local entertainer. a selection of Party Food. Plus a goody bag for erery child. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED. Dragons Castle, Villa Marina, Harris Promenade, Douglas, http://www.villagaiety.com. Dates: Friday 03 September 2010 Description: Dragons Summer Beach Party. Dragons Castle Summer Beach Party from 3pm. Suitable for 7 years and under. Celebrate the last few days of summer with your friend's at the Dragon's Castle. Why not come dressed in your favourite beach wearr or pirate costume and join in the fun and games. Entertainment to include: Admission to the soft Play area. Musical fun and games with prizes to be won courtesy of a local entertainer. a selection of Party Food. Plus a goody bag for erery child. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED. Dragons Castle, Villa Marina, Harris Promenade, Douglas, http://www.villagaiety.com. Dates: Monday 25 October 2010 - Saturday 30 October 2010 Description: Turn up for Turnips. This October half term, turn up for turnips at the National Folk Musem, where there will be a turnip for every child visiting Cregneash. Normal admission charges apply. Manx Museum, Kingswood Grove, Douglas, http://www.storyofmann.com. Event information supplied by the Isle of Man Department of Tourism & Leisure (01624 686766)

Publications 100 years of heritage: The work of the Manx Museum and National Trust Manx Museum and National Trust, Paperback, 1986 ISBN: 0948308044 Used Price: £6.50 Buy Now More Info Here Is the News: Illustrated Manx History Terry Cringle The Manx Experience, Hardcover, November, 1992 ISBN: 1873120095 List Price: £13.95 New Price: £15.94 Used Price: £14.95 Buy Now More Info 9th Viking Congress, Isle of Man, 1981: Select Papers: Viking Age in the Isle of Man - Select Papers 9th Christine Fell, Peter Foote, James Graham-Campbell, Robert Thompson Viking Society for Northern Research, Hardcover, December, 1983 ISBN: 0903521164 List Price: £12.00 Buy Now More Info An Illustrated Encyclopedia Of The Isle Of Man D Webber The Manx Experience, Unknown Binding, 1997 ISBN: 1873120257 Used Price: £19.99 Buy Now More Info