Port Erin

St Catherine's Well

• Population (2011 census) 3,530[1][2]
• Adjacent village: Port St Mary[4]
• Largest settlement by population in the south of the island. Thus it has a higher population than Castletown, which has the status of a town.
• House of Keys constituency: Rushen (two seats)
• Sheading: Rushen

The name means either iron port or Lord's port. The "Lord" may possibly refer to the parish of the Holy Trinity (Kirk Christ Rushen). Another possibility is that the name is derived from sheear, "westerly".[5]

The outer breakwater, visible at low tide only, was an abandoned project constructed in 1863 using the Port Erin Breakwater Railway and saw the first steam locomotive used on the island; a severe storm of 1884 later destroyed the breakwater and it was never rebuilt. Today, a marker buoy shows the extent of the breakwater, and the landward end is still clearly discernible. To the north-east, by the A7 road, are the earthwork remains of a motte-and-bailey castle known as Cronk Howe Mooar, possibly the site of a timber fortification built by Magnus Barelegs [Barefoot] c. 1100.

The oldest building in the village is known as "white cottage" or "Christian's cottage"; it was built by William Christian and his family in 1781. The Christian family still own the cottage today.

During World War II the village was the location of Port Erin Women's Detention Camp.

The beach is sandy and is on a bay bounded by two headlands which (on windy days) funnel the prevailing westerly wind towards the village. On sunny days, the bay acts as a suntrap. To the north of the promenade is Bradda Glen, one of the Manx National Glens. The northern headland, Bradda Head, has an iconic memorial tower called Milner's Tower. The promenade, on the east side of the bay, is somewhat higher than the seafront, and primarily consists of hotels, mostly built in the Victorian era, although due to changes in taste among tourists, many of these are being converted into flats and apartments. The town is famed for its views, including spectacular sunsets over Port Erin Bay and Bradda Head, as well as glimpses of the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland in the distance.

The Railway Station

Lifeboat Station

• Fish Hatchery, a building (formerly a fish hatchery) in the outer harbour close to the wrecked breakwater. This was home to a University of Liverpool Marine Biology department which closed in 2006.
• Milner's Tower, a distinctive key-shaped building that stands on top of Bradda Head, a memorial to a locksmith, only reachable on foot. It features on the village's crest and coat of arms.
• Railway Museum, in the centre of the village and housed in the former bus garage of Isle of Man Road Services; open seasonally whenever the railway is in operation and accessible via the main road.
• Museum Building, originally constructed as a cinema but more recently used as office space and retail accommodation.
• Erin Arts Centre in a converted church on Victoria Square. The building is host to annual musical competitions and often to other events; it is one of several small centres for the arts on the island.
• Railway station in the centre of the village and built of distinctive red Ruabon brick. Open seasonally; winner of an Ian Allan Heritage Award in 1991.
• Herdman House, now a private residence but built as the village's public library and gaming room, it at one time included a billiard hall and extensive library section before conversion to its present use.
• Collinson's Cafe, an unusual building which is currently empty; it has several unusual architectural features including a rotunda and a large sprung dance floor from its time as a dance hall. It is above the promenade on the road leading to the golf course.
• Lifeboat Station, on the south side of Port Erin Bay. Extended in recent years, it retains its slipway and deco architectural style, and is open to the public when staffed.
• Police Station, closed in 2014. The closest staffed police station is in Castletown. A public desk is located here.
• White Cottage, or Christians Cottage, was built by the Christian family on Shore Road in 1781. Above the door is a plaque that says: "Edmund and Margaret Christian, 1781". The Christian family still own the cottage today and it remains the oldest building in the village.

• Nigel Mansell (born 1953) Formula 1 racing driver, was one of the more famous residents during most of his F1 career when he lived on the headland to the north of the bay. He left in 1995.[10]

The 2006 film Stormbreaker, starring Ewan McGregor, was filmed on Port Erin beach; the village has also been used by various production companies including the BBC whose serialised drama The Ginger Tree was filmed at the railway station in 1989, and the cinematic adaptation of Five Children & It. An episode of the BBC documentary marking 20 years since the end of steam trains in the UK, The Train Now Departing, filmed extensive scenes in and around the station, interviewing the station master. The village has also featured in the holiday series Wish You Were Here...? and Holiday '91 with Judith Chalmers. In 2011 an episode of the British TV documentary Coast was filmed here. They also filmed in the White Cottage front garden.

• Bradda Head
• Port Erin railway station
• Isle of Man Railway Museum
• Latour-de-France – twin village

• Information about Port Erin