Laxey

infobox UK place
crown_dependency = Isle of Man
official_name = Laxey
manx_name = Laksaa
latitude = 54.227778
longitude = -4.401944
population = 1,768 (Isle of Man census 2006)
manx_parish = Laxey
manx_shedding = Garff
constituency_manx_parliament = Garff
post_town = ISLE OF MAN
postcode_district = IM4
postcode_area = IM
dial_code = 01624
os_grid_reference = SC434840
website =
map_type = Isle of Man
static_

static_image_caption =View of the harbour and old part of Laxey

Laxey ( _gv. Laksaa) is a village on the east coast of the Isle of Man. Its name derives from the Old Norse "Laxa" meaning 'Salmon River'.

The village lies on the A2, the main Douglas to Ramsey road. Laxey Glen is one of the 17 national Manx glens, with Dhoon Glen being located close by. The Raad ny Foillan long distance coastal footpath, opened in 1986, runs along the coast through the village.

Village history

In the 1800s, mining for lead and zinc began, becoming the largest industry the village has had. The Laxey mines were the deepest in the world in the 1800s. Mining in Lazey came to an end 75 years later in 1929. The village also had a fishing industry.cite web
title = Laxey
publisher = Isle of Man Guide
url = http://www.iomguide.com/laxey.php
accessdate = 2008-10-07]

Laxey village is now a mainly residential and a tourist area boasting several gardens to wander in at leisure, primarily Laxey Glen Gardens. There is also a handweaving mill which sells its own and many other products. The village is built around a glen with a number of steep streets and paths leading to the glen floor, from where it is possible to walk by the side of Laxey River to the outflow to the sea at the small harbour and onto the beach and promenade. It is also possible to walk around the cliffs to the north of the beach where there are stunning views of Clay Head to the south can be had.

Demographics

The Isle of Man census 2006 lists the village population as 1,768, a slight increase from the population of 1,725 in 2001. It is the fourth largest village on the island.cite news
title = Isle of Man Census 2006 Summary Results
pages = 3
publisher = Economic Affairs Division, Isle of Man Treasury
date = 2006
url = http://www.gov.im/lib/docs/treasury/economic/census/isleofmancensusreport2006.pdf
format = PDF
accessdate = 2008-09-28]

Laxey Wheel

Laxey Wheel (also known as Lady Isabella after the name of the wife of the then Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man was built in 1854 to pump water from the Laxey mine shafts. Now a tourist attraction, it remaisn the largest working waterwheel in the world. Designed by Robert Casement, it is convert|72|ft|6|in|m|2 in diameter and convert|227|ft|m|2 wide. It revolves at about 3 rpm. The mines employed over 600 miners at its peak producing lead, copper, silver and zinc until they closed in 1929. In 1965 the Isle of Man Government bought the wheel and the site. Restoration work began and in 1989 it was put under the control of Manx National Heritage.cite web
title = Laxey Wheel
publisher = Isle of Man Guide
url = http://www.iomguide.com/laxeywheel.php
accessdate = 2008-10-07]
Great Laxey Mine Railway was once part of the mining industry with two small steam engines. Work continues to restore the old narrow gauge line and stock.cite web
title = Mines Railway
publisher = Isle of Man Guide
url = http://www.iomguide.com/laxey-mines-railway.php
accessdate = 2008-10-07]

Laxey Woollen Mills

Laxey Woollen Mill was founded by John Ruskin in 1881. The Mills are known for producing Manx tartan which is used to make a variety of items from hats, scarfs and kilt skirts to capes and rugs. The cloth is made of fine loghtan sheep wool and woven on traditional style looms. The Mills is now mainly a working shop.cite web
title = Laxey Woollen Mills
publisher = Isle of Man Guide
url = http://www.iomguide.com/woolenmills.php
accessdate = 2008-10-07]

Laxey harbour

The village has a small harbour which was built in the 1850s to service the mining industry. It is now used by leisure craft and inshore fishing vessels.cite web
title = Harbours - Laxey
publisher = Isle of Man Government
url = http://www.gov.im/harbours/laxeyport.xml
accessdate = 2008-10-07]

Transport

Laxey lies on the Manx Electric Railway line. Laxey station, in the north of the town, connects it with the Snaefell Mountain Railway for which the station is the southern terminus.

Religion in Laxey

Laxey had a number of Methodist chapels. Shore Road Primitive Methodist Chapel was built in 1825, and closed in 1870. Glen Road Wesleyan Methodist Chapel was opened in 1850. It closed in 1966. Minorca Primitive Methodist Chapel was opened in 1870. A Sunday School was built in 1898 in land across the road. The chapel closed in 1966 when Flen Road and Menorca combined. In 1970 Minorca's Sunday School building became the new Methodist chapel for Laxey.cite web
title = Laxey Methodist Chapels
publisher = Manx Notebook
url = http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/methdism/chapels/laxey.htm
accessdate = 2008-10-07] Christ Church (Church of England)was built to a design of Ewan Christian and constructed by the Mining Company at a cost of £950 and was consecrated by the Bishop of Sodor and Man, Lord Auckland, on 27 May 1856.cite web
title = Lonan
publisher = Manx Notebook
url = http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/parishes/ln/lonan.htm
accessdate = 2008-10-07]

Education

Laxey School is a primary school located on Quarry Road.

port

Laxey F.C. who play in the Isle of Man Football League are based at the Laxey Football Ground on Glen Road.

Gallery

ee also

*Great Laxey Mine Railway

References

External links

* [http://www.dankarran.com/photography/isleofman/laxey/laxey05/ The Lady Isabella]