Peel and the West

Peel from Peel Hill

Peel or "Purt ny H'inshey" in Manx, which means Port of the Island because of the castle built on St Patricks Isle, and of course the Cathedral once the seat of the Bishop, was known to the Islanders as the Western City. The castle is of tremendous interest and the site of one of the earliest "Peels" or wooden fortresses thought to have been built by Magnus Barefoot c.1089 and there are indications that it was the seat or residence of the Kings of Mann until the early part of the 13th century. Godred II died there in 1187 and his son Olaf II in 1237.

The castle was frequently used as a place of exile for state prisoners, Richard  II sentenced the Earl of Warwick to perpetual imprisonment there but after Richard was murdered this sentence was reversed, and he was re-called.

Today Peel is more famous for its kippers than anything else but many of the townsfolk keep clear of the castle at night for fear of the "Moddey Dhoo" or Black Dog which is said to prowl the boundary of St Patricks Isle. 

Link:  Peel Castle

Link: Tynwald Hill