Manx Organisations, Publishers and Bookshops

These web pages give details of various Manx Publishers, both past and current, Manx Organisations which have interests in things antiquarian, and Island Bookshops

 

Organisations

Mann-based Publishers

Current

Historic

Bookshops - including Secondhand/Antiquarian

All unless indicated will provide a mail-order business; the main bookshops will also accept credit cards. The recommendations are based on personal experience - having dealt with, I think, all the main bookshops on the Island I can recommend them for friendly and efficient service.

Webpages

The Manx Government has an excellent site at http://www.gov.im which acts as a portal to many other Manx information sites..

Two bulletin boards are:
Manx Forum and
Manx Genealogy Bulletin Board

 


Organisations

Manx Museum and Manx National Heritage

MNH logoThe Manx equivalent of the British Museum, National Art Gallery and British Library all rolled into a single organisation! Founded in 1886.
Its main site in Douglas occupies what was Noble's Hospital, opened in 1886 and converted to house the Museum in 1922. The Library, which houses a priceless collection of documents, is housed in a 1960 extension to the building, giving five floors of Library Stacks.
The Manx National Trust was founded in 1951, modeled on the National Trust for England and Wales, with which it has reciprocal free entry for members. It took over from the Trustees for Ancient Monuments founded in 1905. Most of the Trust's sites are open areas: the main site being the Calf, others being Spanish Head, St Michael's Isle, Maughold Head and Eary Cushlin. Later renamed Manx National Heritage.
The two key Historical Sites of St Patrick's Isle and Castle Rushen also fall under its ambit. Other museum sites operated are Cregneash (the first 'Open Air' Folk Museum in Britain); the Nautical Museum, Castletown and the Grove Museum, Ramsey.
The House of Mannanan in Peel, opened July 1997, is the latest jewel in their crown - a modern 'Heritage Centre' on the site of the old Peel Railway Station and awarded British Museum of the Year for 1998.
Their online activities now handled under the iMuseum branding - www.imuseum.im

postboxThe Manx Museum and National Heritage
Douglas
Isle of Man IM1 3LY
Tel +(0)1624 648000; Fax 648001

Publishes an extensive list of guides.
Until 1980 published Journal of Manx Museum


Centre for Manx Studies

cms logo Was part of Liverpool University which had had a long standing relationship with the Island via its Port Erin Marine Biology station, with links to the Department of Education and the Manx National Heritage.
Originally intended to provide an Island base for Manx Studies it now has taken over some of the academic work previously performed under the auspices of the Museum.
Organises lectures and study weekends on the Island - moved to the old stable block at the Nunnery where the chapel was converted into a seminar room etc Following financial cutbacks both by IoM Government and University of Liverpool the Centre is now closed - though in its final years published a series of Monographs under the Liverpool University Press imprint.


Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society

IoMNHAS logo

Founded 1879.
Publishes Proceedings of the IoMNH&AS

Website http://iomnhas.iomonline.co.im


Fraueyn as Banglaneyn -- Isle of Man Family History Society

IOMFHS logo Founded 1979. Publishes quarterly Journal - see Index and copies of journal held on this website.
Has extensive list of publications of Memorial Inscriptions, Burial Registers and indexed 1851 and 1881 census records.
See Webpage for addresses etc. of current membership secretaries.


Isle of Man Victorian Society

Founded 1979 to encourage interest in Victorian and Edwardian Aspects of Island Life.
Publishes quarterly Newsletter;

postboxHon Secretary
Mrs. R. Kelly
52 Alberta Drive
Onchan

 


Manx Methodist Historical Society

mmhs logo The Manx Methodist Historical Society, founded 1971, issues a newsletter approximately twice per year, though publication dates are rather erratic. See Index and copies of journal held on this website. Also publishes a series of small booklets.

postbox

The Secretary

Mrs. Thelma Wilson

Westend, 28 Droghadfayle Road

Port Erin


Yn Cheshaght Ghailckagh - Manx Gaelic Society

ycg logo Yn Cheshaght Ghailckagh aims to:-

The headquarters of Yn Cheshaght Ghailckagh is at:-

Thie Ny Gaelgey,
St. Jude's, IM7 2EW

You can get more information about the Society and its publications from there, or you can contact:

Dr Brian Stowell,
16 Hilary Road,
Douglas, IM2 3EG
Tel: +(0)1624 623821



Publishers - Current

Amulree Publications

Run by Bill Snelling. Concentrates on Motorcycle related topics though has produced a growing number of 'heritage' books relating to Peel. Will supply Manx interest books etc. from other publishers. See webpage
postboxAmulree Publications
Lossan y Twoaie,
Glen Road,
Laxey, IM4 7AN
Telephone: +(0)1624 862238;


Chiollagh Books

Owned and run by Stephen Miller
Specialises in folklore and folk-songs - so far publications have been reprinted collections.
Some titles are 'publish on request'.

postbox

Chiollagh Books

26 Central Drive

Onchan

Lily Publications

Has published many titles in last few years - usually well illustrated

postbox

Lily Publications Ltd

PO Box 33

Ramsey

Tel: +44 (0) 1624 898446 Fax: +44 (0) 1624 898449 www: lilypublications.co.uk


Manx Experience

me logo Was a major publisher on the Island with about 5 new titles/year and an extensive backlist. Mainly 'heritage' subjects published in soft cover - company now dissolved

 


Manx-Svenska Publishing Company Ltd.

Founded and run by the late G.V.C. ('Barney') Young in mid 1980s.
Published around 30 books, generally soft back, with emphasis on Norse Period and Historical Biographies.
Most authored by Mr Young.
No longer active but some titles still available via bookshops.


Shearwater Press

sh logo The second such press with this name. The original, based in Douglas, published on a wider range of topics, and also published Manx Life. However overextension led to the closure of the press and its sale.
The new owners published a smaller number of Manx topics - however it has not produced produced any new books in the last few years and the name was transferred to The Manx Experience


Manx Heritage Foundation

mhf logoThe Manx being somewhat independent, continue to show this trait in publishing! Many books are privately published by the author - obviously the ease of distribution within the small island makes this easier than in the UK.
Some financial assistance, as well as editorial checking, is provided by the Manx Heritage Foundation.

postbox

   
 

Manx Heritage Foundation,

 

P.O.Box 1986,

 

Douglas,
IM99 1SW


Personal and/or Noncommercial Presses

A short list of those that have published more than the single book is:


Publishers - Historic


Manx Society

Manx Soc logoFounded in 1858. Set up for the sole function of funding the editing and publication of various historic documents.
Published some 33 volumes - see List


Yn Cheshaght Ghailckagh - Manx Language Society

ynch logo Formed 1899. See report of the Origin of the Society. Changed its name to Manx Society in 1913.
Published many books, in English as well as Manx, concerned with Manx Language and Manx folklore. Possibly its best publication was Mannin

In the 1920s published J.J.Kneen's Place Names of the Isle of Man. Seemed to become moribund afterwards, though a newly revived society still publishes.


Manx Note Book
   

Any comments, errors or omissions gratefullyreceived The Editor
© F.Coakley , 1999