Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received
The Editor
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© F.Coakley , 2026
[from A.M Harrision's Descriptive List of Insular Societies]
After the Revestment Peel Castle was no longer the centre of an important administrative division of the Island's government. The garrison was disbanded,the Isle was let out as a sheep run and the cathedral itself was used only on the occasions of the installation of bishops and was well on its way to total ruin
The Crown Commissioners who had taken responsibility for the Island after the Revestment saw it only as a defensive site and were unmoved by the breaking down of ancient buildings to build modern defences. From time to time they received proposals for its development and in 1836 two arrived. One from the Duke of Rutland 'who sometimes passes a short time in the Island and has a fancy to be possessed of such ancient relics', the other, from Mr. John Drinkwater of Liverpool who wished to buy it for a fishing station with a view to trading with the Liverpool fish markets. Defence considerations and the rights of Roman Catholics to be buried on the Island preserved it from development at this stage.
Fortunately antiquarian and scholarly interest In what had been called 'the Tara of the Isle of Man' had never entirely waned and the setting up in late 1858 of the Peel Castle preservation committee, in which the High Bailiff of Peel, R.J.Moore, was a prime mover, backed by Peel notables and members of the strong Manx antiquarian and historical movement, as exemplified in the Society for the publication of Manx documents, started the project of partial restoration for the important buildings, estimated to cost between £1500 and £2000. Nationwide fund-raising, fancy fairs at home, and donations of £50 from Queen Victoria and £25 from Prince Albert helped to keep up the momentum of the scheme, which from 1863 to 1882, when he left the Island, involved the personal participation of Governor Loch who was particularly interested in the Isle and the cathedral. The stabilised site then took its place as a major attraction for the Island.The Trust used skilful publicity and marketing strategies, as employed at major British ancient monuments sites, and established Peel Castle as a monument of national importance.
.M.N.H.L., Papers of the Society for the preservation of Peel Castle:
Government Office papers under Peel Castle;
Isle of Man newspapers, passim.
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