| 1 Trinity United Reform
Church
Completed in 1887 it was built as a Presbyterian Church to replace the old ‘Scotch Kirk’ (now Quayle’s Hall). 2 Mona and Solway TerracesBuilt between the 1840s and 1860s as ‘status’ houses after the new road was constructed into South Ramsey in 1835. There was no piped water in Ramsey until 1857, so people in this area used the well at Poyll y Churree (Pool of the Curragh) hence the name of one of the houses. At the end of Mona Terrace (number 56) George B Cowen, well-known photographer, had his studio in the late 1800s. 3 Lough HouseIts name is a reminder of when there was a lough
(lake) here. It was a very prestigious house when built in the 1830s for the then
Vicar-general. |
 South Promenade from the Queens Pier |
| 4 The
Old Grammar School
It was purpose-built on part of what was known as Joe’s Lough, when tidal waters ran up to this area. Work began in 1863 and about 2000 people witnessed the laying of the foundation stone by Governor Loch, when a bottle containing contemporary coins and a scroll was deposited beneath the stone. In 1922 the school was re-organised and most of it transferred to Albert Road Wesleyan School. The building remained with the Department of Education and was converted into a Youth Centre in 1949. 5 Mysore Cottages They, too, were built on part of Joe’s Lough, on land sold to Miss Elizabeth Cubbon in 1864. She built the cottages in memory of her brother Sir Mark Cubbon KCB, who was Commissioner of Mysore during the Indian Mutiny. He left India due to ill health in 1861 and is buried at Kirk Maughold. 6 The Wesleyan Methodist ChapelBuilt in 1845 with a striking classical facade. At the time it was one of the largest chapels to be built, seating 750 people. Note the original name of Waterloo Road - Bayr Cardle Vooar, on sign on the wall. 7 The Britannia HotelBuilt as a private residence in 1847 for Dr Clucas. The first record of it being a hotel was in 1909 when it was called The Waterloo Hotel and run by John Nelson, Manx scholar and total abstainer. It was re-named The Britannia in 1925 when Okell’s Brewery acquired it. 8 The Independent Methodist ChapelAt one time it was commonly known as the
‘Shakers’ Chapel’ and the date above the door (1892) refers to when it
became a break-away group from the Primitive Methodists. The building itself precedes that
date and is still in use. |
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 Old College Street |
9 College Street
This street had the oldest houses in Ramsey, and included a slaughterhouse for what was J. W. Brew’s Butcher’s Shop (now Moughtin Bros. fronting onto Bourne Place). The boys of the old National School in Church Street sometimes caused annoyance by congregating round the slaughter house and playing Cammag (similar to Irish Shinty) now only seen at St. John’s on St. Stephen’s day (Boxing Day). 10 St Paul’s ChurchAs the population of Ramsey increased in the 19th Century, so did the need for a larger church. The new church was consecrated in 1822 and it has been the subject of alterations since. The sign ‘Church Street’ refers to the street which at one time ran alongside the church, and which, prior to 1801, was a lake running up to The Old Cross (see number 20). It was not unknown for boats to be able to moor directly in front of the Church until 1835 when the lake in Market Place was filled in. |
11 Mona Street Straaid Ny Peeley on the street sign refers to when there was a Fort on the seaward side of the street. The buildings here date from 1755, and much of old Ramsey once resembled this street. 12 Barrack LaneThieyn Sidoor - Soldier’s Houses. The cottages in this hidden-away cul-de-sac were used when, in 1793, Ramsey received a garrison of men who were housed in a ‘long warehouse’, later converted into the present cottages. 13 East QuayThe quayside is a busy place during the week with the Ramsey Steamship Company (formed in 1913 with the first in a long line of ‘Ben’ boats) and Mezeron, operating their bulk cargo businesses. To your right is Harbourside, formerly the Telegraph Office. Adjoining it (with the name by the door) is The Old Custom House. Nine customs men were appointed to Ramsey after 1765, when the Island was brought under the direct rule of the British Crown because of the ‘smuggling’ activities which had affected England’s trade and finances.
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14 Old IOM Steam Packet Company Building Through the letter box can be seen the mosaic porch floor bearing the Steam Packet logo, and through the window the original panelled office and counter. Before rounding the corner is the Harbour Master’s house, then office. A lighthouse once stood in this area, with gaol below, known as The Black Hole. Next is the IOM Coastguard Rescue Station, with Lookout on top, which was formerly the Rocket Brigade HQ, formed in 1864 as the Ramsey Volunteer Corps. Before reaching Neptune Street is the warehouse where John Clague had his foundry in the mid 1800s - he produced all the ornamental ironwork on the Queen’s Pier. Crossing over to the promenade, it is hard to imagine the scene here in the late 1800s when Black & White Minstrels and Pierrot Shows performed to crowds on the beach.
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 Ramsey summer entertainers |
 South Promenade to South Ramsey and beyond |
15 South Pier
At the start is a stone drinking fountain - this is where the Ramsey Fence (original loose stone sea defences) ended. A much shorter South Pier was constructed in 1744/5 when the Ramsey Fence was renovated. Following a petition in 1792 the North Pier was eventually built. Both piers have been extended and altered since then, but the original construction of dry-set, upright slabs can still be seen, as can the curved walls of the original harbour entrance. 16 The Prince of WalesBuilt as a private residence in 1849, it became the Marine Inn and later the Neptune Hotel. In 1884 it was extended by the Prince of Wales Company. It has been sympathetically restored and is now apartments. |
| 17 The Lifeboat Station
In 1829 a lifeboat for Ramsey arrived, but lay neglected on the beach. In 1868 the ‘Two Sisters’ was supplied and the first Lifeboat House built on the shore opposite The Prince of Wales. The importance of Ramsey Bay to shipping has been demonstrated constantly from the records of the RNLI and Rocket Brigade rescue attempts. 18 TM Midwood’s Postcard StudioIn the now disused shops, Mr Midwood had his postcard studio from 1881. He left behind a priceless record of photographs of old Ramsey.
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| 19 The Roman
Catholic Church (Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea and St. Maughold)
Thought to be the site of the Old Fort Royal, built in 1648 by the 7th Earl of Derby. It had a range of uses, including as a prison, before being acquired by the RC Church in 1862. The original, smaller church (of which the outline of the gable end can be seen at the north end of the garden) was replaced with the existing church and Priest’s House, designed by Giles Gilbert Scott, in 1910. Two of the stonemasons employed on the building of the church perished in the Ellan Vannin tragedy of 1909.
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 The old Roman Catholic Church |
| 20 ‘Lost Ramsey’ (Old South Ramsey) This was the heart of South Ramsey, demolished during the 1960s. Originally the Old Mooragh (shingly beach) with a cottage or two, it developed rapidly from the 1750s. At its heart was the Old Cross, the original market place between Lough House and Queen’s Promenade. In 1901 the Sigurd Stone, now in Maughold Cross House, was found in use as a lintel in a house in Maughold Street. 1905 saw the beginnings of Heron & Brearley, the Island’s brewery, when Mr Brearley bought The Old Swan, before joining Mr Heron in purchasing hotels and inns. On the site of the swimming pool stood one of Ramsey’s earliest inns known as Llewellyn’s Big House (1797), Heelis (1822) and The Albert (1849). It was an outstanding feature of the town, hosting grand dinners and balls, and providing saddle horses, gigs and bathing machines. It takes some stretch of the imagination to envisage old South Ramsey now. |
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