The Island Games will return to Manx shores in 2029. The International Island Games Association (IIGA) confirmed the next event in 2027, will be hosted by the Faroe Islands. It's planned to take place between 3-9 July 2027. Meanwhile in 2029, the Island will host the 22nd Island Games on 14-20 July. The IOM organised the first games in 1985 and the…

A group of residents in the Island’s capital who were ‘empowered’ to come together to take ownership of their village should be an example to others. That’s the view of a Douglas South MHK who has welcomed the sale of the freehold of the Saddle Mews complex. Sarah Maltby drafted a Private Members Bill that will support leaseholders to buy their fre…

If you're out and about around the TT course tomorrow (Sat 13 July), you may see some cyclists taking part in a fundraiser with a difference. Capital International Group's Chairman, Anthony Long, and Managing Director of Group Services, Les Coates, are gearing up for a performance of a lifetime, as they embody the legend himself, Elvis Presley... a…

Douglas clothing store The Boredroom is asking people on the Island to fill out a questionnaire to help it understand 'what's going on in terms of retail' here. In a post on social media the Strand Street store says 'retail is hard over here and it's getting harder to keep the doors open, especially with the increase in cost for everything'. It add…

Douglas South MHK Sarah Maltby has been a woman on a mission to get accessible changing places installed at key sites across the Island. She's raised the issue multiple times in the House of Keys and has again put pressure on politicians this week. Now though, a new changing places facility in Noble's Hospital has officially been given the green li…

A pay increase for police officers on the Island is hoped to help tackle recruitment and retention issues for the force. The starting salary for constables has seen a 12 percent increase to over £32,000. Justice and Home Affairs Minister Jane Poole-Wilson told Amy Griffiths she's hopeful it will help relieve the pressures on junior officers:…

An MHK says she's going to continue pushing for the public to have their say on whether the Isle of Man should legalise assisted dying. The House of Keys spent a seventh day debating clauses of the proposed Bill yesterday, and a special sitting is taking place on 23 July for its third reading. Last week, members rejected calls for a public referend…

A Douglas MHK who is 'contacted weekly' about accessible changing places says she might as well go back to those inquiring and tell them government feels that the amenities are not worth investing in. Sarah Maltby raised the issue in the House of Keys this week. And it's not the first time - she's been asking questions about a possible facility in …

Willaston Primary School in Douglas has been awarded an IQM - Inclusion Quality Mark Award. It's also been granted Centre of Excellence status, something which typically takes a number of years to achieve. The assessor from IQM noted a 'strong commitment to inclusivity and community' and a 'caring ethos'. Abbie Irving, a teacher at Willaston School…

The clauses stage of the Assisted Dying Bill heads into a seventh day in the House of Keys today. So how much work if left to be done? And what happens next? Mover of the bill, Ramsey MHK Alex Allinson, gave an update live on Manx Radio Breakfast.Par Radio Manx Ltd

Last night's Southern 100 qualifying session had to be cut short due to capacity issues at Noble's Hospital. Manx Care's Executive Director of Health Services Oliver Radford discusses the factors that meant the session had to be stopped, and what the situation is for the remainder of the event:Par Radio Manx Ltd

The Isle of Man could fail to meet its first interim climate target, but the chief minister says if it is missed, "we'll be very close". At a summit of the British-Irish Council, Alfred Cannan said hitting the 2030 target is becoming "increasingly tight". The Climate Change Act 2021 sets out three legally binding targets as the Island makes its jou…

Do you think children should be allowed to have their own smartphones? One mum from Ramsey says she wants to start a conversation about them. Meghan Kennish has two children and is worried about the potential harm it can cause when you have access to a smartphone from a young age. She's been telling Amy Griffiths why:…

The chief minister has congratulated Sir Kier Starmer and the Labour Party on their victory in the UK General Election. Labour won by a landslide, with the Conservatives suffering their biggest defeat in history. Alfred Cannan spoke with Sian Cowper and Ben Hartley on Manx Radio Breakfast shortly after 8am this morning (5 July, Tynwald Day).…

An historic 35th Tour de France stage win for Sir Mark Cavendish is "earth shattering for the Isle of Man", according to the woman who first introduced him to the sport. Yesterday the Manx Missile became the all-time greatest stage winner at the event. It surpasses the previous record he'd jointly held with cycling legend Eddie Merckx. Dot Tilbury …

A Manx charity is working '9 to 5' to get a special initiative up and running on the Island. Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is a gifting program that posts free books to children, from birth to age five, no matter their family's income. There are hopes the scheme could be successfully launched here helping youngsters to build their own library …

Manx Care is insisting that drafting in a private provider to run the publicly owned Summerhill View residential care home in Douglas, is a "really good value solution." However, it's refused to disclose how much the contract awarded to LV Care Group is worth or how many other providers tendered for the opportunity. It's estimated the state-of-the-…

Unloved family heirlooms in your attic may be worth more than you thinkPar Radio Manx Ltd

It's a week since the new Liverpool Ferry Terminal came into operation. It's opening was years later than hoped and it came with a price-tag millions of pounds beyond the original budget. So, how's it faring? In this episode of Newscast, Lewis Foster sits down with Steam Packet Managing Director Brian Thomson and Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookal…

A bid to have a referendum on assisted dying proposals may have been defeated, but an MHK is still keen to see the Island's referendum laws updated. Douglas Central member Chris Thomas has been granted permission to work on a Private Members' Bill which would introduce new referendum laws. He told Manx Radio's Sian Cowper why:…

A taxi driver has reiterated his concerns about anti-social behaviour during the nighttime trade three months after fares were increased. In April the Roads Transport Licensing Committee announced rates would be going up and the late-night higher rate, of Tariff 2, would start an hour earlier at 11pm. At the time Barry Murphy told Manx Radio he bel…

Efforts are underway to raise awareness for a condition which only affects around 300 people on the Isle of Man. Today marks the start of Haemochromatosis Awareness Week. The condition causes iron levels in the body to slowly build up over many years; symptoms can include fatigue, depression and joint pain. Sufferer, Carolanne Hanley told Manx Radi…

Manx Radio's Political Correspondent has the full run down of what happened during June's sitting of TynwaldPar Radio Manx Ltd

The House of Keys is meeting again today (1 July) and one of the items for consideration is whether there should be a referendum for the assisted dying legislation. Ayre and Michael MHK Alfred Cannan is calling for one. He joined Sian Cowper on this morning's Manx Radio Breakfast programme to explain why.…

You may remember us talking about Cody Atzori in the past here on Manx Radio. A bright musical talent, he died suddenly a couple of years ago, aged just 17. Last year, a public piano was installed in his memory at the Sea Terminal, and now, with the help of charity SoundCheck Isle of Man, his family have installed a second. This one is at the new R…

A leading organist is set to perform in the Villa Marina Arcade this evening (27 June). Phil Kelsall MBE will be playing the Wurlitzer organ there from 7:30pm. Tickets are £12 and are available at the VillaGaiety Box Office, on their website, and at the Welcome Centre in the Sea Terminal. Phil has been the principal organist at the Blackpool Tower …

Residents from across the Isle of Man are being invited to find out more about sustainability this evening (26 June). The Energy and Sustainability Centre is hosting a drop-in event as part of its mission to promote the transition from fossil fuels to green energy. It's being held at Ballafesson Church Hall, which is on Honna Road in Port Erin, fro…

What barriers are there stopping people with disabilities getting involved in Manx politics? That was the topic of conversation at a workshop hoping to make Tynwald more accessible. Amy Griffiths has been finding out more:Par Radio Manx Ltd

*A warning that this story contains references of suicide and information which some readers may find upsetting. Is there enough support for children with high functioning additional needs on the Island? According to one parent, the answer is no. She's calling for more help to be given to children like hers who struggle in a mainstream school envir…

In this edition of Newscast, we catch up with Jason McKee who took part in the Parish Walk to help raise money for Motiv8 Addiction Services. Jason himself struggled with addiction for thirty years and has now marked five years in recovery. As well as raising money, Jason wanted to help break down the stigma around addiction. He's been speaking to …

"Freedom to Flourish isn't happening, we're not getting that chance." That's how local producers have reacted to the news that this year's Food and Drink Festival has been cancelled. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture says it's focus will now be on the Royal and Southern Agricultural Shows and 'new initiatives'. Amy Griffiths has b…

Manx Radio is turning 60 years old, and to celebrate its making some changes. The public service broadcaster is launching a new schedule on FM, as well as a brand new station, Manx Radio Gold, playing the greatest hits online and on smart speakers. Alex Brindley is the Director of Programming, News and Content and has been telling Amy Griffiths mor…

Police say they will ‘relentlessly pursue’ organised crime groups who are trying to exploit the Island. But they’ve warned that the Isle of Man’s borders are ‘porous’ and say it’s still too easy for people to traffic drugs here. This month 11 people were jailed for their involvement in supplying cocaine, brought in by others, to undercover police o…

The Isle of Man Food & Drink Festival has been cancelled for 2024. The need to offer a greater variety of support to food producers and the risk of weather-related cancellations are among the reasons given for the decision. Manx Radio's Sian Cowper asked Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister Clare Barber about the decision, and about plans for…

Four siblings are returning to the Isle of Man from Ireland to take on the Parish Walk in memory of their late father. Accountant Jim McDonald, and his wife Mary, moved to the Isle of Man with their young family in 1987 and lived here until 2004. Last year, in May, he died after battling progressive supranuclear palsy. Now, his four children - Elai…

A public meeting was held last night which saw a hefty turnout, with residents eager to hear the views of Paul Burgess to present why he thinks "net-zero will be a disaster for the Isle of Man". Mr Burgess describes himself as a climatologist who's spent his career looking at the extremes of weather, and claims the Isle of Man's attempts to reach n…

The Cooil brothers from Ballagawne Farm have scooped the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group's Silver Lapwing AwardPar Radio Manx Ltd

One of over 1,200 people taking on the Parish Walk this weekend is Manx resident Iain Wrigley. Whilst attending a funeral in Wales in February 2023, he suffered a catastrophic stroke which left him unable to walk or talk. He spent twelve weeks in hospital, undergoing months of intense physiotherapy and rehabilitation. Seventeen months on he's back …

The chief executive of Manx Care has reacted to the Chief Minister's pledge in Tynwald this week to take a magnifying glass to a number of areas with a view to 'streamlining and driving efficiencies'.Par Radio Manx Ltd

If so, you'll want to listen to this - top tips for the days before the race as well as the event itself, to make sure you reach your destination goal feeling fit.Par Radio Manx Ltd

"Do you see me?" is the theme of this year's Learning Disability Awareness Week. Manx Mencap has been hosting a series of events to help raise awareness of the work they do. It's thought around 1,700 people on the Island have a learning disability. Amy Griffiths has been along to meet some of the people who use the charity:…

In the June 2024 sitting of Tynwald, Chief Minister Alfred Cannan made a series of announcements, which he said came with the ultimate aim of understanding where efficiencies lie across the public sector. But what does that actually mean? Mr Cannan has been talking to Manx Radio's Political Correspondent Phil Gawne.…

An independent report has been released this week which reviews the current education funding system on the Island. You can find a detailed summary of its findings here. Manx Radio's Political Correspondent has been talking to Education Minister Daphne Caine but first former minister Julie Edge was asked why we didn't see this report during her tim…

A bus station for Douglas should be the responsibility of the Department of Infrastructure according to one MHK. The Planning Committee is currently considering plans by a private developer which include an indoor bus information centre on Lord Street. The last facilities there were demolished in 2002. Last year, Douglas East member Joney Faragher …

Owners of empty and dilapidated properties in the Island's capital will now be made to pay rates. Douglas City Council is introducing the new policy to incentivise renovation and says it hopes it will help with the current housing crisis. These properties were previously 'zero-rated' but now owners will be charged unless their building is demolishe…

Towards the end of this month, the Isle of Man will be represented at one of the world's most famous music festivals. Mae Challis has been invited to perform a two-hour set each day of Glastonbury at 'The Tap House'. Worthy Farm in Somerset is home to some of the most iconic music acts, with some independent artists being scouted by major record la…

Government workers are being offered a 2-percent pay increase for the current financial year, which a trade union has already labelled 'totally unacceptable'. The Isle of Man's Public Services Commission has set out pay awards for the next three financial years which would see public and civil servants' salaries rise by the same percentile for the …

Isle of Man Meats says it is 'really disappointed' to see a post from a local butcher criticising stock availability on Island. Lee Mayers took to Facebook this week, saying stock has been 'missing on a regular basis'; adding that as a result, he will be looking into getting meat from the UK instead. He told customers he put an order in last week t…

The Legislative Council is set to discuss removing the Bishop's vote for the first time in the Upper House. Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper's proposal has passed through the House of Keys, and will now be subject to scrutiny by MLCs. If approved, it would see the religious figure retain a seat in Tynwald, but would no longer be able to influence proceedin…

This week is Carers Week, an annual campaign aimed at highlighting the challenges carers face. This year's theme is 'putting carers on the map', which aims to make caring more visible, ensuring that people feel seen and respected and that they can access the services and support that they need. Manx charity Crossroads is hosting a number of events …