St Patrick's Isle

St Patrick's Isle ( _gv. Ellan Noo Perick) is a small island off the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea, largely occupied by Peel Castle and noted for its attractive and relatively well preserved historic castle ruins. These ruins include St Patrick's Church and an Irish-style round tower, St German's Cathedral, and the more recent residence of Lords of Mann. The ancient cathedral was left to decay in the 18th century, never to be rebuilt. The islet is now a tourist site within the castle walls. There is a public walk around the outside of the castle, which lines the coastal edge of the islet.

The island's steep and rocky edges made it an ideal defensive outpost. It is said to be the place where St Patrick first set foot in the Isle of Man and was consequently named after him.

It is connected to the town of Peel on the Isle of Man by a causeway over Fenella beach.

In addition to the historic ruins, the island is partially a sealife sanctuary.

It was originally referred to as _gv. "Inis" (or _gv. "Ynnys") _gv. "Patraic" in Manx.

External links

* [http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/fulltext/pn1925/pk.htm Manx Place Names 1925 - Parish of Kirk Patrick]
* [http://www.isle-of-man.com/heritage/sites/peel-castle/index.shtml Isle-of-Man.com Peel Castle & St Patrick's Isle with aerial photo]