Kirk Michael

Michael Sheading (Manx: Sheadin Skylley Maayl) is a sheading (comprising the parishes of Jurby and Ballaugh, and Michael (District) in the Isle of Man. Michael District is also a traditional parish. Michael Sheading has, according to the 2011 census, 3,568 residents (2006 census: 3,341). It is a mainly agricultural area on the west coast of the island. It was until 2016 a House of Keys constituency.

The TT motorcycle race course known as the Snaefell Mountain Course runs through Kirk Michael village.

Michael District is a subdivision of Michael Sheading. It was formed in 1989 by the amalgamation of two local authority areas, Michael Village (a small area of around 100 hectares (250 acres) containing the village of Kirk Michael) and the larger rural area of Michael Parish.

Michael District stretches from the Irish Sea in the west, inland to Druidale in the east and from Orrisdale in the north to Glen Cam in the south. The district contains few settlements; the main village is Kirk Michael. There is a coastal strip of agricultural land, and the remainder of the parish consists of moorland, of which the highest points are Slieau Freoaghane (488 metres (1,601 ft)), Sartfell (454 metres (1,490 ft)), Slieau Curn (351 metres (1,152 ft)) and Slieau Dhoo (432 metres (1,417 ft)) (together known as the Michael Hills).

The main road running through Kirk Michael village forms part of the Isle of Man TT road race course, on the A3 leading towards Ballaugh Bridge.

The name of the village is derived from the Gaelic 'Kirk' (translated as 'Church') of Michael. The parish church of St Michael in the village contains a large collection of Manx Norse crosses. The village is served by several small local shops, a primary school and a public house, The Mitre Hotel, named in connection with Bishop's Court (a mitre being a bishop's headgear) and was once patronised by Fletcher Christian (Mutiny on the Bounty). "Christian" is a popular Manx surname. Infrequent bus services run to the towns of Ramsey, Peel and Douglas.

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