Arbory

Parish on the Isle of Man

Human settlement in the United Kingdom

Arbory

* Manx: Cairbre

Parish of Arbory, Isle of Man

Population| 1,899
OS grid reference| SC2390471387
Sheading| Rushen
Crown dependency| Isle of Man
Post town| ISLE OF MAN
Postcode district| IM9
House of Keys| Arbory, Castletown & Malew

List of places
Isle of Man

54°06′29″N 4°41′38″W﻿ / ﻿54.108°N 4.694°W﻿ / 54.108; -4.694

Arbory (Manx: Cairbre) is one of the seventeen historic parishes of the Isle of Man. It is located on the south of the island in the sheading of Rushen. Settlements in the parish include Ballabeg, Colby and Ronague. As of the 2016 census, its population stood at 1,847. The parish features a mix of coastal plains, glens, and rolling hills, with an economy anchored in agriculture, and tourism.

## Geography

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Arbory is situated along the southern coast of the Isle of Man in the sheading of Rushen. It stretches from Pooil Vash to Strandhall, straddling the Colby river to Cronk Fedjag, and across the mountain to the western boundary of Malew.[1][2] The parish consists of low plains in the south with highlands in the north. It has short coastline which is rocky and exposed.[1]

## Administration

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Since 1 May 2020, local governance has been shared with nearby Rushen under the Arbory & Rushen Parish Commissioners, offering combined services with distinct ward structures and forms part of the parish district of Arbory and Malew. [3] The parish is headed by a captain, and forms part of the Arbory, Castletown & Malew constituency, which elects two Members to the House of Keys.[4][5] The title of a captain is a ceremonial title dating to Viking era, reflecting centuries-old tradition.[6]

## Demographics

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According to the 2021 census, Arbory’s population was recorded 1,899.[7] The Isle of Man census of 2016 returned a parish population of 1,847, an increase of 5.4% from the figure of 1,747 in 2011.[8] The population consisted of 928 males and 971 females, with 254 aged under 14.[7]

## Culture and economy

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Local economy is dominated by agriculture including livestock and farms with a number of residents commuting to Douglas and other urban centers for employment.[9] The parish includes small businesses such as a school, churches, local shops, and community halls that support events and local activities.[1][10] The Laa Columb Killey festival, held annually in Ballabeg, celebrates St Columba with a parish fair that includes games, music, and local crafts.[11]

## Transportation

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The A7 and A28 roads navigate the parish, connecting villages and other landscapes.[1] Bus Vannin routes 1, 11, and 12 provide regular services through Arbory, linking it to Douglas and neighboring towns. Colby Glen station offers seasonal heritage steam railway services, attracting tourists in summer months.[1]

## References

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1. ^ a b c d e "Arbory". isleofman.com. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
2. ^ "Isle of Man Building Control Districts" (PDF). Bradden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 October 2008.
3. ^ "Arbory and Rushen local authority merger". BBC News. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
4. ^ "Captains of the Parishes". Culture Vannin. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
5. ^ "Notice of Results for the General Election to the House of Keys 2021 (Arbory, Castletown & Malew)" (PDF). Gov.im. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
6. ^ "Captain of Arbory Parish: role and duties". Arbory & Rushen Commissioners. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
7. ^ a b "Arbory". CityPopulation.de. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
8. ^ "Isle of Man Census Report" (PDF). Government of Isle of Man. 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
9. ^ "Agricultural and employment stats" (PDF). Isle of Man Government. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
10. ^ "Community groups and church services". Arbory & Rushen. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
11. ^ "Laa Columb Killey festival & community events". Arbory & Rushen. Retrieved 17 June 2025.

## External links

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* Arbory Parish Commissioners
* Manxnotebook Arbory Detail about Manx parishes and description of Arbory Parish.
* Manxnotebook Kirk Arbory Antiquities
* Qualtrough.org Family Genealogy with family details and photographs.
* Glenology - Manx Glens An ongoing study of Manx glens, their locations and meanings.

‹ The template below (Isle of Man topics) is being considered for merging with Culture of the Isle of Man. See templates for discussion to help reach a consensus. ›

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* t
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Isle of Man

List of places in the Isle of Man

City|

* Douglas (capital)

Towns|

* Castletown
* Peel
* Ramsey

Villages|

* Andreas
* Ballabeg
* Ballasalla
* Ballaugh
* Ballure
* Barregarrow
* Braaid
* Colby
* Cregneash
* Crosby
* Dalby
* Derbyhaven
* Foxdale
* Glen Maye
* Glen Vine
* Laxey
* Niarbyl
* Newtown
* Onchan
* Port Soderick
* Port St Mary
* Port Erin
* Ronague
* St John's
* Strang
* Sulby
* Tromode
* Union Mills

Sheadings|

* Ayre
* Garff
* Glenfaba
* Michael
* Middle
* Rushen

Parishes|

* Andreas
* Arbory
* Ballaugh
* Braddan
* Bride
* German
* Jurby
* Lezayre
* Lonan
* Malew
* Marown
* Maughold
* Michael
* Onchan
* Patrick
* Rushen
* Santon

Buildings, structures, museums|

* Registered (historic) Buildings
* Castles
* Churches
* Monastic houses
* Lighthouses
* Museums

Transport|

* Roads
* Airport
* Sea Terminal
* Aer Lingus Regional
* Blue Islands
* EasyJet
* Loganair
* Steam Railway
* Electric Railway
* Mountain Railway
* Steam Packet Company
* Bus
* Horse Tram

Heraldry|

* Flag
* Coat of arms

Education|

* Department of Education, Sport and Culture

| Primary|

* Bunscoill Ghaelgagh

|

Secondary|

* Ballakermeen High
* Castle Rushen High
* Queen Elizabeth II High
* Ramsey Grammar
* St Ninian's High

Independent|

* King William's College
* The Buchan School

Further and higher|

* Centre for Manx Studies
* University College Isle of Man
* Isle of Man International Business School

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*[t]: Discuss this template
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