Detailed Manx Information

Mannin / Ellan Vannin / Isle of Man

This section contributed by
Mark Kermode mailto:mkermode at mcb.net

Name

The names are synonymous. "Mannin" was how the country was invariably referred to by native speakers of the Manx language. "Ellan Vannin" appeared circa 15th century as a translation of "Isle of Mannin". "Isle of Man" is the English term and is used in legal documents and by the Manx government. Some people write "Isle of Mann" or simply "Mann".

Situation and Physical Geography

Situated in the Irish Sea. The most northerly point is the Point of Ayre (Lat. 54 25' 00" N, Long. 04 21' 40" W.). The most southerly point is The Chicken Rock (Lat. 54 02' 20" N, Long. 04 50' 15" W.). Most of the island lies above 300 ft (100m approx.) with a highest summit of 2036ft. (621m).

The climate is cool temperate, with the summer days rarely exceeding 20C and the winter days rarely below freezing. The tree-line is around 800ft (250m approx). Most of the land mass is currently used for agriculture. Rainfall is high and sunshine moderate.

The majority of the Island is composed of pre-Cambrian slate. The northern plain (post glacial) is a sand / shingle conglomerate. There are some granite outcrops. The southern area contains both limestone and lava beds, and the western area contains some sandstone.

The Island has yielded high quantities of zinc and lead, at one point being the biggest producer of zinc ore in the British Isles. Copper, iron, silver and a little gold have also been mined commercially. There is no tin or coal in the island. No minerals are currently extracted from the island.

(Various sources)

Population

The 1992 resident population stood at 69,788. Of these, 34,608 were born on the island. 26,541 born in England and Cornwall, 2,291 born in Scotland, 3,278 born in Ireland, 795 born in Wales, 186 born in the Channel Islands, 421 born in European countries other than U.K. and Eire, 1,668 were born elsewhere in the world.

There are more males than females in all age groups under 45, and more females than males in all age groups over 45. Approximately 45,000 were between the ages of 16 and 65, 12,000 were under 16 and 13,000 were over 65.

(Source - IOM government)

Political

Mannin has a substantially autonomous government, Tynwald, which has an unbroken tradition of over 1,000 years. The Tynwald is comprised of two houses, the popularly elected House of Keys (24 members representing 15 constituencies and the indirectly elected Legislative Council (8 members elected by the House of Keys). The U.K. Crown is represented by a Lieutenant Governor.

The island was autonomous until 1266 when power was technically handed over to Alexander III of Scotland. A period of instability followed before being granted to William de Montecute in 1333. After several further changes of king, Mannin was granted to Sir John Stanley in 1405 with a condition of homage to the English Crown attached.

Mannin retained its autonomy even during the Parliamentarian period of English history. This is a fascinating piece of history in itself and cost one man, William Christian (Illiam Dhone to the Manx), his life when accused of treason after the restoration.

Mannin became the property of the English Crown in 1765 after what was effectively a compulsory purchase due to the perceived level of smuggling. The Tynwald was offered the choice of remaining (although with little more power than a local authority and, in fiscal matters, even less) or Mannin being represented by a member in the Westminster parliament. Tynwald elected to stay.

In 1866, the House of Keys (part of the two-house government) was persuaded by the Crown's representative, Governor Loch, to dissolve itself and be returned by popular suffrage in return for increased fiscal power.

In 1958, Mannin regained full fiscal autonomy but has since rescinded much of this through various reciprocal agreements with the United Kingdom. Mannin is not a part of the United Kingdom or Europe, but is allowed to trade with Europe in the same manner as a European member under the terms of Protocol 3 which also applies to the Channel Islands.

Mannin is totally self financing and receives no financial support from the UK or Europe.

(Various sources)

Economic

Mannin's primary source of income is the international finance industry (35% of GDP) followed by "other services" (those not specifically categorised by government statisticians) (33%), manufacturing industry (11%), construction (8%), tourism (7%), public administration (5%) and agriculture / fishing (2%). (1991 figures)

(Source - IOM government.)

Language

The majority language of Mannin has been English since around 1830. Prior to this, Manx Gaelic was the majority language. Manx Gaelic had disappeared as a community language by the end of the 1920s but continued to be spoken in families for an indeterminate time thereafter. The "last" native speaker, Ned Maddrell, died in 1974 but by this time, the language had been passed on to several new generations of enthusiasts. Several children are now being brought up as a new generation of native speakers.

Although the Vikings were the ruling class in Mannin from the 10th to 13th centuries, they appear to have had remarkably little influence on the language. There is evidence to suggest, however, that what some have dismissed as "anglicisation" of the language in terms of grammar and syntax is, in fact, a throw-back to the influence of the Vikings.

Laws cannot remain as Statute unless promulgated (broadcast) within eighteen months of their being passed in both Manx and English. Tynwald has passed various resolutions calling for the language's promotion and use and the language is being taught to many children who choose it as part of their school syllabus.

For more information, contact:
"Manx Language Officer", Rheynn Ynsee, Murray House, Mount Havelock, Doolish, Isle of Man IM1 2Q

Music

The traditional music of Mannin will be easily recognisable to anyone familiar with the Irish or Scottish traditions. It does not enjoy wide-spread public performance but is still healthy with a certain amount of new material being written and traditional music being adapted to modern styles.

Culture

The modern day culture of Mannin may be difficult to distinguish from north-western English due to the demographic changes over the past century and particularly the past thirty years. The indigenous culture is, however, quite typically Celtic and has been since pre-history. The Brythonic Celts and Picts were supplanted by Goidelic Celts as the majority culture in the years following the birth of Christ. There is evidence to suggest that at least one Brythonic tribe survived as a distinct entity as late as the 11th century. These people were dark and swarthy, short in stature and were noted for their marksmanship with short, poison tipped arrows.

Compulsory Reading

The Isle of Man (A short social, cultural and political history) - R.H. Kinvig. Liverpool University Press. ISBN 0 85323 483 3

The Isle of Man - Celebrating A Sense of Place - Vaughan Robinson and Danny McCarroll - Liverpool University Press. ISBN 0 85323 296 2 (Paperback) / ISBN 0 85323 036 6 (Hardback)

It is hoped to create a comprehensive list of links as time progresses

also "Manx Language Officer", Rheynn Ynsee, Murray House, Mount Havelock, Doolish, Isle of Man IM1 2Q

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