Langness
From ManxWiki
Langness is the 'T' shaped peninsula to the south west of the island. "Langness" means "Long point"". The area also includes St. Michael's Isle which is now joined to the peninsula by a causeway and road.
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Brief History
Langness and St. Michael's Isle have been inhabited and used by Manx people since our prehistory.
During the late Dark and early Medieval Ages Langness saw heavier use by the Celtic-Norse inhabitants of the area.
In the 12th Century, Langness was traversed by the first congregations of the Chapel built on St Michael's Isle to replace the original Keeill. Until the 19th Century, the attached burial ground was used by the local Catholic community and for the burial of those who's lives had been claimed by the sea.
The defensive position of Langness meant that the land here was often fortified. The earliest recorded battles on the peninsula took place in the 13th Century between the Manx and the Scots.
The Earl of Derby fortified the area in the 17th Century as part of an attempt to protect the Isle of Man from Cromwells Parliamentarians during the English Civil War.
The resulting Fort also served as a lighthouse, however in 1823 the 186 tonne Brig Robert was wrecked at Langness Point with the loss of 43 passengers.
The Herring Tower was built in 1811 by the British Government as a landmark for passing shipping and to carry a flare to guide the herring fleet.
In the early 20th Century, Langness became a Bird Sanctuary in recognition of the peninsula's important wildlife.
Location Map
The Golf Course
Much of the northern end of the peninsula is occupied by an 18 hole golf course owned by Castletown Golf Club.
Triangulation Point
Just north of the Herring Tower is a 4ft high concrete pillar known as a triangulation pillar (more commonly known as a trig point)
Langness Lighthouse
In 1880, the modern lighthouse at Langness Point was built, replacing the light at the old Fort. It is visited monthly for maintenance.
The cottages attached to the lighthouse have been converted to a private residence.
Rights of Way
Langness is currently the subject of a long running dispute created when the current owner, Jeremy Clarkson, closed the traditional route around the lighthouse (and the southernmost tip of the Isle of Man) to walkers.
The dispute centres on whether access to the footpath was ever formally 'granted or denied' during the 21 years prior to the closure. Campaigners say the path was always walked as a traditional right and have presented the Attorney General with more than a hundred affidavits to this effect. Under Manx legislation the Government can declare a traditional route a Public Right of Way - this is very similar to footpath/highway law in the rest of Britain.
Incensed by the path's closure a campaign group taking the name PROWL (Public Rights of Way, Langness) was formed to put pressure on Government to act on behalf of Manx people and force the reopening of the route and clearly declare it a Public Right of Way. The legal aspects of this case are ongoing.
