Castletown
|
- Alternate uses: Castletown, Ireland and Castletown, Caithness, in Highland Scotland.
Castletown (Balley Chashtal) is a town in the south of the Isle of Man. It is the former capital of the island. Notable buildings in the town include Castle Rushen and the Old House of Keys. Tynwald used to meet in Castletown except on Tynwald Day, when it traditionally met (and still meets) on Tynwald Hill in St John's. Castletown's population is 3,100 (according to the 2001 census).
Other attractions include the old schoolhouse and the Peggy boat museum. The Peggy is an old boat which was bricked up within the Quayle household and 'lost' for around 100 years before being rediscovered by workmen. Dan Quayle, former Vice President of the United States is distantly related to this branch of the Quayle family.
King William's College and Ronaldsway Airport border the north-east of the town. Castletown has a station on the Isle of Man Steam Railway line (Douglas to Port Erin). To the north is Ballasalla, the north-west the village of Ballabeg and to the west Port St. Mary and Port Erin. Castletown sits on the north-western side of Castletown Bay, at the south western-tip of which is the Scarlet Point visitor centre.