Langness Peninsula
| Langness Peninsula | ||
|---|---|---|
Crown dependency Isle of Man | | |
Langness (Manx: Langlish) is a peninsula which protrudes two kilometres at the southern extremity of the Isle of Man. Signifying a cape or extended promontory, Langness literally means "long promontory" in Old Norse. Formerly an island, Langness was eventually joined to the mainland by the movement and deposition of material along Castletown Bay to form a tombolo. The small community of Derbyhaven is situated on the east coast of this isthmus, which lies close to Castletown, Isle of Man.
History
The old Manx name for Langness was Oaie Ny Baatyn Marroo, which translates as the "Grave yard of the Lost Ships". Before Langness Lighthouse was built on Dreswick Point in 1880, wrecks on the peninsula were common. During periods of low visibility the only foghorn was a cow's horn which would be blown by a party of men on the shore – the sound of which carried for half a mile at best.[1]
The Potato Grave
Near the lighthouse is a turf-covered mound, known as the potato grave. In 1832 a ship carrying Irish workers to the Isle of Man to dig potatoes was lost with all hands, and 32 bodies were washed ashore. It was customary on the island to bury a body washed ashore behind a hedge in the place it had been found, and so a
Geography
The peninsula is close to
At the southern tip of the peninsula is Dreswick Point, the southernmost point of the Manx mainland, whilst St Michael's Isle (popularly known as Fort Island) is connected at the northern end of the peninsula by a narrow causeway.
A feature of the peninsula is the
Natural history
The peninsula is a popular haunt of birdwatchers, and has bird life ranging from
Dolphins and porpoises can also occasionally seen in the waters off the peninsula.[2]
Leisure
The
References
External links
- Castletown Golf & Country Club
- There are also pictures and stories at Castletown website - Ladies Golf page
- There is also a detailed video of the peninsula at Kyde & Eric