Editing Langness Peninsula

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox UK place
| crown_dependency = Isle of Man
| official_name    = Langness Peninsula
| manx_name        =
| coordinates      = {{coord|54|03|45|N|4|37|15|W|type:landmark_dim:5000|display=inline,title}}
| label_position   = top
| manx_parish      =
| manx_shedding    = 
| constituency_manx_parliament =
| hide_services        = yes
| os_grid_reference    = 
| static_image_name    = File:Aerial image of Langness Peninsular, Isle of Man.jpg
| static_image_caption = Langness Peninsula and St Michael's Isle
| static_image_alt     = 
}}
[[File:Coastal erosion on the Langness Peninsula - geograph.org.uk - 490714.jpg|thumb|right|[[Coastal erosion]] on Langness Peninsula]]

'''Langness''' ({{langx|gv|Langlish}}) is a [[peninsula]] which protrudes two kilometres at the southern extremity of the [[Isle of Man]]. Signifying a cape or extended [[promontory]], ''Langness'' literally means "long promontory" in [[Old Norse]]. [[former island|Formerly an island]], Langness was eventually joined to the mainland by the movement and [[Deposition (geology)|deposition]] of material along Castletown Bay to form a [[tombolo]]. The small community of [[Derbyhaven]] is situated on the east coast of this [[isthmus]], which lies close to [[Castletown, Isle of Man]].

==History==
The old [[Manx language|Manx]] name for Langness was ''Oaie Ny Baatyn Marroo'', which translates as the "Grave yard of the Lost Ships". Before [[Dreswick Point#Langness Lighthouse|Langness Lighthouse]] was built on [[Dreswick Point]] in 1880, wrecks on the peninsula were common. During periods of low visibility the only [[foghorn]] was a cow's horn which would be blown by a party of men on the shore – the sound of which carried for half a mile at best.<ref name=Times141060>''Isle of Man Times.'' October 14, 1960, p. 4.</ref>

===The Potato Grave===
Near the lighthouse is a turf-covered mound, known as the potato grave. In 1832 a ship carrying Irish workers to the Isle of Man to dig potatoes was lost with all hands, and 32 bodies were washed ashore. It was customary on the island to bury a body washed ashore behind a hedge in the place it had been found, and so a [[communal grave]] was dug and all 32 bodies placed within it.<ref name=Times141060/> No stone marks the grave; the only memorial of the victims is a turf-covered mound.<ref name=Times141060/>

==Geography==
The peninsula is close to [[Ronaldsway Airport]], and a good view of the peninsula can be obtained from the port side of aircraft landing on the westerly facing runway. It is also within easy walking distance from Castletown, and the peninsula itself features an interesting nature trail.<ref name=walk>"[https://www.visitisleofman.com/experience/derbyhaven-and-langness-nature-walk-p1315501 Derbyhaven and Langness Nature Walk]," ''www.visitisleofman.com''. Retrieved 17 May 2020.</ref> Coastal erosion has carved parts of the coast into [[sea arch]]es, which are also of geological interest as they contain an [[unconformity]]: parts of the rocks are nearly 500 million years old, other parts are some 150 million years younger.<ref name=CVannin>"[https://www.culturevannin.im/qr_page_386169.html Langness]," Culture Vannin. Retrieved 17 May 2020.</ref>

At the southern tip of the peninsula is [[Dreswick Point]], the southernmost point of the Manx mainland, whilst [[St Michael's Isle]] (popularly known as Fort Island) is connected at the northern end of the peninsula by a narrow [[causeway]].

A feature of the peninsula is the [[Herring Tower, Langness|Herring Tower]], a [[daymark]] built in 1811.<ref name=walk/> Other structures to be found on the peninsula include the remains of a [[World War II]]-era gun training range, close to the lighthouse, and a memorial to local naturalist Henry Madoc, who was also the island's [[Chief Constable]].<ref name=CVannin/>

==Natural history==
The peninsula is a popular haunt of birdwatchers, and has bird life ranging from [[European golden plover|golden plovers]] and [[Eurasian curlew|curlews]] to [[merlin (bird)|merlin]]s and [[common kestrel|kestrels]].<ref>"[http://manxbirdlife.im/recent-sightings/ Recent sightings 2019]," ''manxbirdlife.im''. Retrieved 17 May 2020.</ref> St. Michael's Island is a [[bird sanctuary]].<ref name=walk/>

[[Dolphin]]s and [[harbour porpoise|porpoises]] can also occasionally seen in the waters off the peninsula.<ref name=walk/>

==Leisure==
The [[Castletown Golf & Country Club]] (formerly also a hotel, closed since 2007) is set on the peninsula and the isthmus connecting it with [[Derbyhaven]] and has been the scene of many international championships. In 2005, the [[Duke of York Young Champions Trophy]] golf championships were held at the club.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051207030226/http://www.golfiom.com/ Castletown Golf & Country Club] 
*There are also pictures and stories at [https://web.archive.org/web/20060626033232/http://www.castletown.org.im/community/ladiesgolf.html Castletown website - Ladies Golf page]
*There is also a detailed video of the peninsula at [http://www.kydeanderic.com/IsleOfMan/ Kyde & Eric]

[[Category:Landforms of the Isle of Man]]
[[Category:Former islands]]
[[Category:Tombolos]]
[[Category:Unconformities]]