Lonan

Slieau Ouyr watches over Lonan. This parish stretches from Port Groudle to its watchful peak. Lonan isn’t just a name on a map. It’s a tapestry woven with threads of Manx history. This parish, once called Loman after St. Patrick’s nephew, St. Lomanus, covers fifteen square miles. The landscape varies dramatically. The western parts are hilly and barren. The eastern parts offer sheltered glens. These glens are more productive and cultivated. Lonan’s coastline is a rugged spectacle. High, rocky cliffs meet the Irish Sea, punctuated by headlands like Laxey Head and Clay Head. Bays like Bulgham, Laxey, and Garwick offer sheltered inlets. Deep valleys cut through the land, including the beautiful Laxey Glen. It stretches from Snaefell Mountain to the sea. Glen Gawne runs from the Skoryn to the sea at Garwick. Growdale descends from Slieau Meale and Slieau Ree to the coast. The Laxey River and the Glen Gawne River flow through the parish, shaping the land. Lonan was once a hub of both agriculture and mining. The Great Laxey Mines in Laxey Glen and the Snaefell Mine employed many people. The last Laxey mine closed in 1929. The village of Laxey, nestled within Lonan, has a small port. It stands at the mouth of the Laxey River. Within Lonan’s boundaries, you’ll find the modern village of Laxey, home to the iconic Lady Isabella waterwheel. Lonan’s history is etched into the stones of St. Adamnan’s Church. Built in the 19th century, it replaced the ancient Kirk Lonan Parish Church. Sadly, All Saints Church, as it was also known, closed in 2014 due to lack of funds. This left Lonan without a parish church. In 2016, Lonan merged with Laxey and Maughold. They now form the Garff local authority. Despite this administrative change, Lonan retains its unique character. It holds a special place in the heart of the Isle of Man.