Peel
PEEL - The Sunset City. Facing west the summer sunsets are an event you can guarantee will never grow used to. Peelhas many claims for a place in Manx history, not least because of its now ruined castle on St. Patrick's Isle and the cathedral contained within the walls. The Castle we see today was built in the 14th century using local red sandstone. However there has been a fortification on the site since the first century and Viking invaders made it their fortress with the rampart topped with some sort of fence or paling or Pele which is widely believed is the origin of the Town's name - Peel.
The tidal estuary of the river Neb was the home for the Island's first
known human inhabitants traced back 9,000 years. Since then there has been
a variety of religious communities, all sorts of fortresses - witness to
some of the bloodiest episodes in Manx history - and a centre of the Island's
government, but in the 17th century Peel became an important fishing port,
crowded with herring boats, both Island based and from England, Scotland
and Ireland. Sadly, these time have declined to but a shadow but the kipper
industry still thrives - Manx oak-cured kippers are renowned as the best
in the World and a great favourite throughout the British Isles.
Manx
National Heritage has a high profile presence in Peel, looking after the
Castle and cathedral and opened the House of Manannan Heritage Centre in
1998. The House of Manannan employs the very latest visual aid technology
to recall lives of Manx Celts and Vikings. Odin's Raven, the Viking longship
replica built for the 1979 Manx Millennium celebrations and sailed from
Norway to the Isle of Man, is housed here as are many other nautical exhibits.
The modern Town has changed little over recent times. The narrow streets and wide selection of shops make a very pleasant meander for visitors where they will find a selection of delicious genuine homemade ice-cream. The population has also changed little at approximately 3,800 in 1,530 dwellings. Education of Peel's children, and those from around the area, is catered for by Queen Elizabeth II High School, opened by the Queen herself in 1979, and Peel Clothworkers' School.
When
the railway came to Peel in 1873 tourism became important. Hotels and guesthouses
appeared along the shoreline and higher up on the Headlands. In addition
to conventional holiday accommodation, Peel now has an excellent modern
campsite very close to the Town centre. The beach - one of the best to
be found anywhere - is still a favourite with visiting and Island resident
families alike. Golfers have an excellent 18-hole course located on the
south-eastern side of the Town and a variety of other facilities cater
for all.
Peel has good selection of good-food pubs, restaurants, and cafés. A number of these are on the Quay - what better place to enjoy a drink and good food watching harbour activity and letting the world go by.
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