Place Name

Poortown, Isle of Man

Where the Sheep Outnumber the People and the Views Are Baa-rilliant!

Introduction:

Poortown. Say it out loud and you can almost hear a Kirk Michael local mutter, “aye lad, poor in name, rich in sheep.” It is one of those names that sounds like a Dickensian tragedy or a Victorian charity appeal, until you realise it belongs to a hamlet with more fields than people and more bleating than bustle. Folk hear it and imagine hardship, soot and sorrow, only to find sunshine, greenery and sheep who look like they’re runnin the parish council.

Truth is, the name has been puzzlin visitors for generations, watchin tractors trundle past, watchin bikers roar through at TT time and watchin tourists try to figure out where the “port” is.

Toponymy:

Let’s break down this name:

Port – Traditionally a harbour, a dock, a place for boats. In Poortown’s case, the nearest boat is probably a toy one in someone’s bath. A wishful name if ever there was one.

Town – A populated area, though in Poortown’s case, “town” might be stretchin the truth like a fisherman tellin a tale.

Together, they form a name that makes visitors pause before sayin it aloud, then grin when they realise it’s a port with no port and a town with no town.

Historical Context:

The name Poortown shows up in old parish records, likely tied to farmland, smallholdings and a bit of Manx humour. Some say it was named after a poor stretch of land that refused to grow anything but grass. Others reckon it was a joke by locals who wanted to confuse mapmakers.

And if you ask an old lad in Ballaugh, he’ll tell you it was named after a farmer who kept sayin, “this land’s poor, this land’s poor,” until the name stuck like mud to a boot.

Whatever the truth, Poortown has survived storms, tractors, sheep, tourists and generations of Manx folk who know exactly how daft and delightful the name is.

Points of Interest:

If you are wanderin about, have a nose at:

• Ballig Beach – Sand, sea and scenery worth the wander.

• The Great Laxey Wheel – Victorian engineering at its finest.

• Manx Museum – Stories, artefacts and island history.

• Port Erin – Ice cream, harbour views and sunsets worth stayin for.

• The Falcon’s Nest Hotel – A pint, a plate and proper Manx hospitality.

Notable Figures:

Folk tied to the island include:

• Sir William Hillary – RNLI founder and proper island hero.

• John Quilliam – Local legend with tales to spare.

• Edward Cowell – Politician with island influence.

• Mark Cavendish – Cyclin champion with Manx fire in his legs.

• Joan Rhys – Artist who captured the island’s rugged charm.

Conclusion:

So next time you find yourself wanderin around Poortown, take a moment to breathe in the fresh air, admire the fields stretchin out before you and enjoy the glorious absurdity of a place that sounds like a Dickens novel but feels like a peaceful Manx daydream.

For a dive into the wonderfully weird world of place names, take a gander at www.strangeplacenames.com because these isles have a habit o naming places like someone lost a bet and doubled doon on it.

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