 | | | |  | | | January 2003 | | The Isle of Man is located in the middle of the Irish Sea, off the North West coast of England. Geographically at the centre of the British Isles, it is not part of the UK but is a self-governing Crown dependency.
Although best known for hosting the TT motorcycle festival every June, the Island is stunningly beautiful with soaring green hills, shady glens and rugged coastline. It measures about 33 miles long by 13 miles at the widest point. Around 40% of the land is undeveloped making a perfect haven for walkers and cyclists.
Airlines operate daily flights to the Isle of Man from airports across the UK including London City, Gatwick, Luton, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, East Midlands, Edinburgh and Glasgow, and also from Belfast and Dublin. Ferries and fast SeaCats sail from Dublin, Belfast, Liverpool and Heysham, Lancashire. | | | | | | | | |
| | |  | | | Exhibition of the month | | Singer & Friedlander/IOM Examiner Art Competition 2002 | One hundred pieces of artwork by local artists, chosen by a panel of judges, will be on display in the exhibition gallery at the Manx Museum, Douglas.
When: January 2-25 (admission free)
Website: www.gov.im/mnh | | | | | | | | |
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| | |  | | | Sporting event of the month | | St John’s Fell Race | A three-mile fell race to the summit of Slieau Whallian and back to the village. Slieau Whallian is known locally as the Witches’ Hill. Legend says that in the past, women accused of practising witchcraft were dragged to the summit where they were put in spiked barrels and rolled to the bottom. Any who survived were burned at the stake - although there is no evidence of this.
Fell race: January 1 annually starting at St John’s Football Club. Minimum age of 12 years to take part in. Information tel: +44 1624 629267. | | | | | | | | |
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| | |  | | | Cultural event of the month | | Classical concerts at the Erin Arts Centre, Port Erin. | Saturday 4 January - Isle of Man Bank Auditorium, 3pm-5pm and 7pm-9pm.
Isle of Man Arts Council Schubert Song Weekend - Workshop
Julius Drake (piano) with Patricia Rozario (soprano)
Ave Maria and other favourite songs. £6 (£5 concessions) per session. Student singers £3 per session
You are encouraged to bring a picnic tea!
Sunday 5 January - Isle of Man Bank Auditorium, 3pm.
Erin Arts Centre Sundays At Three Series.
Celebrity Recital - Schubert Songs
Patricia Rozario (soprano), Julius Drake (piano).
Tickets £8. Lunch available from 12.30pm. Reservation essential (tel. +44 1624 832662).
Website: www.erinartscentre.com | | | | | | | | |
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| | |  | | | Hotel of the month | | Aaron House, Port St Mary Promenade | A luxury B&B offering a Victorian experience which received a top Five Red Diamond rating and an Egg Cup award in the latest AA Bed and Breakfast Guide. Every detail in the house recalls the Victorian era, from the leather packing cases in the hallway to the polished brass telescope that looks out to sea in the morning room. The kitchen is also Victorian complete with antique cooking utensils. Aaron House is situated at Port St Mary. Rates are from £30 per person per night.
Call Aaron House on +44 1624 835702. | | | | | | | | |
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| | |  | | | Restaurant of the month | | Tanrogan, Ridgway Street, Douglas | Tanrogan - from the Manx Gaelic for scallops - is proving popular with residents and visitors. It recently moved from tiny premises on Douglas harbour around the corner to a new, more spacious restaurant. Tanrogan is unlicensed (bring your own wine/beer) but is a hit with many of the film stars who have been making movies on the Island. Stars spotted supping at Tanrogan include Julie Andrews, Sting, Stephen Fry, William Baldwin, Colin Firth, Helena Bonham-Carter and Christina Ricci.
Bookings to the proprietor David ‘Butch’ Buttery on (mobile) +44 7624 472411. | | | | | | | | |
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| | |  | | | Walk of the month | | Glen to Glen walk | Start and finish at Glen Maye, south of Peel. Accessible by public transport. This takes in two contrasting Manx glens and a stunning section of coastal path. Distance 8 miles (13km). Takes 4-5 hours. Food and drink available from The Waterfall Hotel (pub) at Glen Maye start/finish.
Further information: Isle of Man Tourism. Tel +44 1624 686766 or email tourism@gov.im. | | | | | | | | |
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| | |  | | | Hidden in the Isle of Man | | | Fairies are scattered across the Island. They shelter under stone bridges and no-one crosses the Fairy Bridge on the main road between the airport and the capital Douglas without saying hello to the Little People. They are also said to be found in many of the 17 National Glens around the Island. The Island also boasts a stone Fairy Saddle in Douglas, a Wishing Seat in Glen Helen, Fairy Hill in Rushen, and the silver Fairy Cup can be seen in the Manx Museum, Douglas. | | | | | | | | |
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| | | Special offer - January 2003 | | | | | | British Airways CitiExpress is offering return flights to the Isle of Man from Belfast, Dublin or Liverpool for £59 - available online at www.ba.com. | | | | | | | |
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Seabass with Bok-choi
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