Spanish Head facts for kids
Spanish Head is a tall, rocky point of land. It sticks out into the sea on the southwest coast of the Isle of Man. This impressive cliff rises more than 100 meters (about 328 feet) above the ocean.
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Spanish Head: A Coastal Landmark
Where is Spanish Head?
Spanish Head is located on the beautiful southwest coast of the Isle of Man. Just southwest of this headland, you'll find a small island. This island is called the Calf of Man. A narrow stretch of water, known as the Calf Sound, separates Spanish Head from the Calf of Man.
What's in a Name?
The name "Spanish Head" sounds interesting, and many people wonder where it came from. There are a couple of ideas about its origin.
The Spanish Armada Story
One popular story suggests the name comes from a ship. This ship was supposedly part of the Spanish Armada. The Spanish Armada was a large fleet of ships from Spain. This fleet tried to invade England in 1588. The story says one of these ships crashed near Spanish Head. However, there is no real proof that this ever happened. It's a fun tale, but likely not true.
The Manx Language Connection
Local people have another idea about the name. They think it might come from the Manx language. Manx is the traditional language of the Isle of Man. The word "speeiney" in Manx means "bark," "strip," or "peel." This word might describe the rocks at Spanish Head. The rocks there are made of slate. Slate is a type of rock that naturally splits or "peels" into thin layers. This splitting is called fissility. So, the name might simply describe the peeling nature of the slate cliffs.
A Discovery at Spanish Head
In 1970, something exciting was found at Spanish Head. A student named Susan Place was studying marine science. She was doing a survey along the shoreline. During her work, she discovered an old sword buried deep in the sand.
About 40 years later, Susan Place was the captain of a large sailing ship. This type of ship is called a Brigantine. She thought about the sword and how it might have ended up there. She realized that the normal tides and weather conditions in that area could easily push a sailing ship without an engine onto the cliffs of Spanish Head. The sword she found is still with her today.
