Ramsey, Isle of Man
Ramsey
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 Ramsey Quayside and fishing boats |
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 Ramsey
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| Ramsey shown within the Isle of Man | |
| Population | 7,309 (2006 Census) |
| OS grid reference | SC449943 |
| • Douglas | 15 miles (24 km) |
| Parish | Ramsey |
| Sheading | Ayre |
| Crown dependency | Isle of Man |
| Post town | ISLE OF MAN |
| Postcode district | IM8 |
| Dialling code | 01624 |
| Police | Isle of Man |
| Fire | Isle of Man |
| Ambulance | Isle of Man |
| House of Keys | Ramsey Town |
Ramsey (Manx: Rhumsaa) is a coastal town in the north of the Isle of Man. It is the second largest town on the island after Douglas. Its population is 7,309 according to the 2006 census (7,322 in 2001 census). It has one of the biggest harbours on the island, and has a prominent derelict pier, called the Queen's Pier. It was formerly one of the main points of communication with Scotland. Ramsey has also been a route for several invasions by Vikings and Scots.
Ramsey is also known as 'Royal Ramsey' due to royal visits from Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1847 and by King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in 1902.
The name of the town derives from the Old Norse hrams-á, meaning "wild garlic river", More specifically, it refers to the plant known as buckrams or wild garlic, in Latin Allium ursinum.
The Isle of Man has been an important strategic location in conflicts between the Norse rulers of Man and the Isles, and the Scots and English. Smugglers and pirates were also common at many times in Manx history.
Ramsey was the landing place of the Viking warrior Godred Crovan around 1079: he was determined to subjugate the island and make it his kingdom. two miles (3 kilometres) inland, on Sky Hill, an important battle was fought; this resulted in a period of Viking rule, influencing the development of the Manx nation and many of the traditions that continue today.
Godred's son, King Olaf, was murdered by his nephew Reginald near Ramsey harbour in 1154, and two years later the Chronicle of Man states that the ships of Somerled came to Ramsey during a conflict which would lead to the division of the kingdom of Man and to Somerled taking the Kingship of the Isles (the Hebrides).
On 17 May 1313 Robert the Bruce landed at Ramsey "with a multitude of ships" on his way to capturing Castle Rushen.
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Wikipedia