Docked fishing boats

                         Local food source


Unlike a lot of fishing ports and harbours, Ramsey's hasn't closed and become a shopping centre or worse a multi storey car park. It's still a working harbour. The style of fishing may have changed over the years, light mesh trawls used instead of dredging the sea bed, and young queenies thrown back into the sea and protected, but "fisherman" is a still one of the towns jobs for some. Plenty of hobby fishermen too, but the vessels pictured are the working boats of the town. Freshly caught produce from the Irish Sea, can make its way to the restaurants, pubs and cafes of Ramsey within the day, and we still have a traditional fishmongers too. A Manx Queenie recipe


Jane Hards Photography

Part of abc

Shoprite, the local supermarket

                             Gone shopping


There are a few supermarkets in Ramsey, but Shoprite is the one that is probably most local, as it's Manx,  from the Isle of Man. There are about 12 of these stores around the island, serving the needs of the island folk. Not just local Manx produce, imports too, are sold and Shoprite is the only local supplier for Iceland food store goods. Douglas Shoprite now have a Subway outlet too. Ramsey branch has a Lloyds Chemist outlet just set inside the entrance. Some branches even have clothing outlets too. The bread doesn't have to far to travel to the supermarket, as Ramsey Bakery is set opposite.  The shopping bags logo carries the Manx three legs, as seen on the flag. Those bags often turn up in photos in the most unexpected places in the world, thanks to all those Isle of Man TT visitors.

The slogan for the Supermarket chain, is apparently "The Difference Every Day" and the shops are no relation to ones in the USA or South Africa. The bird on the roof is optional.  Shopping local helps the local economy. Like the pub, I do my bit. Conveniently, the supermarket is situated almost next door to The Central pub!

The Lakeside, Mooragh Park

                                       Food and reflections


I mentioned in a previous post, the local park boasts, not one but two places to eat. This is the other one, The Lakeside. Overlooking the lake, indoors boutique bistro style restaurant or alfresco dining. Sundays include, roast carveries, with a daily day and evening menu. Flavours of the world and locally sourced produce  are served, with a creative chef twist  The premises is unlicensed but customers may bring along there own alcohol of choice, with free corkage. The Lakeside also caters for private functions, like christenings and Birthday parties.  Not many places can offer a lakeside view with a meal, set away from the hustle and bustle of the town.

Cafe, Mooragh Park

                              Teas, coffees, ices

There are two cafes situated either end of Mooragh park, overlooking the boating lake, this one at the park entrance off North Shore Road. While the more adventurous can hire a kayak and take to the water, for those wanting to sit a while a rest there is the cafe. Indoor and outdoor sitting, hot and cold food, and Davidsons ice cream, a local favourite, on a summers day. The art deco building is another of Ramsey's iconic features. Shot taken on a winter's afternoon, as the light fading fast on a very still day, for those mirror image reflections.

The Mitre Hotel, pub with a view

                                Beer and boats


The Mitre Hotel has recently undergone a refurb, but the great harbour view remains. Not many pubs can claim a view straight onto a quayside. Another place where you can find locals belting out karaoke, charity nights for worthwhile local causes, carveries and varied food themed nights upstairs. Downstairs, you can hire the private rooms for functions, or listen or to the local folk and Manx music groups. You can even join in at open mic sessions, or for those musically gifted can take their own instrument of choice and join in. Pub bands are also a regular feature. Something for everyone here, can be found at the Mitre. Even if that something is a quiet pint and an evening sunset.

See here for a night out at the Mitre in aid of a local good cause

Gone fishing

                             Pretty in pink

Two types of people you're guaranteed to find down by the beach and harbour any evening (whatever the weather), dog walkers and those fishing. Usually find the fishing type just here on one of the two jetties Ramsey has, next to one of the two lighthouses. You can't get more local than freshly caught sea fish and a bit of peace and quiet too is a bonus.