The Isle of Man which is in the Irish Sea is an island with a deep wealth of fairy lore which is shared with Scotland. Sir Walter Scott said that the "Isle of Man, beyond all other places in Britain, was a peculiar depository of the fairy-traditions, which, on the Island being conquered by the Norse, became in all probability chequered with those of Scandinavia, from a source peculiar and more direct than that by which they reached Scotland and Ireland".
It was christened with it's name after Manann, the Irish God of the sea. Legend has it that it was created by the Giant God of Ireland, Finn McCool who scooped the soil out to make Loch (lake) Neagh and tossed the earth into the sea, resulting in the Isle of Man.
Sighting of fairies on this misty Isle is so common that hardly a visitor returns who is not a believer. Manx people refer to fairies with great respect as they have earned it. The locals refer to them as "Little Fellas, Themselves, The Good Folk or The Natives".
Throughout the Manx glens during the night, strange, non-human singing and music can be heard. Local residents know better than to go out and disturb them. During the day, one can sometimes see fairy footprints in the earth and if you put your ear to the ground you can hear the fairies in their burghs.
Manx fairies have a specialty of herbalism, and it's said they've been known to share healings with humans. But in certain areas of the Isle, there is more fear than friendliness between the Little People and humankind. When walking from Douglas to Castletown you cross the 'Fairy Bridge' and it's in your best interest to say hello to the Mooiney Veggey (proper name for the Little People) or wave to them as there are many cautionary tales about what happens if you neglect to do so- remember these folk are very easily offended.
Another hard-working but bad tempered fairy is the Phynodderree. He helps the farmer with chores and is a large, hairy, shaggy elf. The farmer, thinking appreciative thoughts may want to offer the elf new clothes, but alas, the Phynodderree would be incredibly insulted and simply vanish for good. Many of the island's Little People are larger, hairy and ugly. These tend to go nude so clothes is the ultimate slight. Others of course, are elegantly dressed, beautiful and enticing. As in the people of our world, fairies take on a variance of appearances.
Probably the most dangerous and terrifying of all the Manx fairies are The Buggane. This is the evil hobgoblin of the fairy kingdom. Visually, Bugganes are covered in black hair, tusks and a large red mouth. They could be compared to giant moles as they tend to tunnel underground, though they are intelligent and speak to people on occasion. A Buggane always has a particular home, such as a waterfall, a forest or an old ruin, where it would remain unless disturbed. A very famous of all is the one associated with the roofless church of St Trinian's on the main road between Peel and Douglas. The Buggane repeatedly tears off any new roof that was put back on to the church, terrorizing all and to this day the church still stands roofless.
The Isle of Man is steeped in fairy culture and granted, nine out of ten of the sightings can be explained..but there is the tenth...the dastardly tenth which cannot and we're forced to admit that there is something at work here which we simply don't understand yet. But if you think about it, our ancestors would have thought x-rays, computers and even television something of magic. I don't see the fairy world as 'supernatural' but natural in a realm we haven't defined by traditional science...yet.
