Isle of Man Guide - Enjoy Spectacular Summer Events & Exhibitions with Manx National Heritage

You are here: Isle of Man > Isle of Man News

General News

Enjoy Spectacular Summer Events & Exhibitions with Manx National Heritage 23 March 2007

Visitors receive a summer 2007 What's On leaflet Summer 2007 is set to be spectacular at the Story of Mann attractions, with Manx National Heritage planning an action packed event & exhibition programme throughout the summer.

At the Manx Museum, a fascinating display on Manx Connections to the Slave Trade can be seen in the Lower Folk Life Gallery from 24th March 2007. Taking as its title a term used in the Memoirs of Captain Hugh Crow, ‘A Necessary Evil’ explores the role in the transatlantic slave trade of Manx merchants and mariners, especially on ships which sailed from Liverpool for the African coast.

Visitors to the Manx Museum will also be able to enjoy ‘Manx Art’, a collection of art from the National Collection exploring landscapes, towns, and faces of Man, as well as works associated with times of conflict in the Island’s history. The exhibition will be open in the Manx Museum Temporary Exhibition Gallery from 28th April 2007.

In celebration of 100 years of TT history, the Manx Museum will also host a unique exhibition entitled ‘Staying the Course: A celebration of people who have made the TT’. This special exhibition will include a major review of the last 100 years of TT history, focussing on the people who make it happen; the riders, marshals, manufacturers and spectators. Featuring motorcycles, leathers and trophies, this exhibition will capture the atmosphere of the TT in all its glory. The exhibition will be open at the Manx Museum in Douglas from 26th May 2007.

At the House of Manannan, visitors can continue to enjoy ‘Our Treasured Past – 30 Years of Metal Detecting on the Isle of Man’, which has been staged by local metal detector users show-casing many previously unseen artefacts discovered on the Island, along with images of more well-known artefacts. The display, which was previously scheduled to end on 5th March 2007, has been extended by popular demand until 11th April 2007.

Everyday throughout the school holidays between 31st March 2007 and 15th April 2007, an Easter Egg Hunt will also be held at the House of Manannan, where children & families can enjoy searching the galleries for hidden clues leading to a special Easter-themed surprise.

Two action packed heritage events will be hosted at the National Folk Museum at Cregneash, including a celebration of the arrival of summer at Laa Boaldyn – Manx May Day on 7th May 2007, whilst later in the year a celebration of the Celtic New Year’s Eve will take place for Hop tu Naa on 28th October 2007.

In celebration of National Archaeology Day, there will also be the opportunity to explore the secret history of Castle Rushen, one of Europe’s best preserved medieval castles. The event takes place on 22nd July 2007 and includes an opportunity to find out about the people who lived within this impressive limestone fortress & enjoy spectacular displays illustrating the Castle at various times in history.

If your archaeological investigation skills are still not exhausted, you can witness the fascinating work of Archaeologists at Rushen Abbey, as they attempt to discover more about the Island’s religious history at this important medieval monastic site from Mid June until the end of August, whilst on Sunday 8th July 2007, there will also be the opportunity to enjoy the annual Open Air Songs of Praise Service in the peace and tranquillity of Rushen Abbey Grounds.

Elisa Harrocks, of Manx National Heritage’s Public Services Division said:

“Manx National Heritage has an extremely exciting events programme for summer 2007, ranging from special interest exhibitions including the TT Centenary Exhibition, ‘Staying the Course’ to family orientated events such as May Day and Hop tu Naa. There is very much something for everyone in this summer’s events programme and we look forward to welcoming all of our visitors to the thirteen Story of Mann attractions around the Island”.

For further details on the Manx National Heritage event & exhibition programme, please visit www.storyofmann.com, collect a Summer What’s On leaflet at the Manx Museum, House of Manannan, Niarbyl Café & Visitor Centre or the Sound Visitor Centre & Restaurant, or from any seasonal Story of Mann attraction from 6th April 2007 until 28th October 2007. Alternatively, telephone Manx National Heritage’s 24 hour Heritage Information Line on 648000 for details of special events and exhibitions taking place in the week ahead.