Thirsty Thursdays: A Pint Of O’Kell’s In The Mitre, The Oldest Pub In The Isle Of Man

“The courtyard of my heart seems lonely” – Band Baaja Baaraat (song – Mitre).

In a lot of countries, and cities I am in, I do love a quirky random pub visit – often I like to visit the oldest pub in a city. I have managed to do this in quite a few places such as Belfast, Sydney and Saint Anne. When I finally arrived in The Isle of Man in 2022, on a flight from Gatwick, London, I started to research what the oldest pub was. Although I didn’t work with the Isle Of Man tourist board, they knew I was coming there as a travel blogger and so they sent me some tips and answered all my requests on email ahead of my trip. I was going to be heading to a lesser known village called Kirk Michael! The Isle Of Man was a sentimental trip for me. In 2022, I had turned 42 and despite having passed the Isle Of Man over 30 times, this was finally my first time here! My Mum and Dad had come here in 1972 for their honeymoon, and here I was exactly 50 years later. I went into the Sefton Hotel where they honeymooned and had a beer in there too. I actually stayed in a couple of different hotels here, starting off in the lovely Glen Mona Hotel in Douglas.

In the 1980s, I even owned an Isle Of Man t-shirt. I have no idea where it came from, or where it is now. I even drew Maradona and the Northern Ireland football team from Mexico 86 while wearing that Isle Of Man t-shirt!

Getting To Kirk Michael, Isle Of Man

I had dislocated my shoulder and broken two rib bones just 8 weeks before my trip to the Isle Of Man, so I wouldn’t be able to drive or cycle here. And so, I made full use of the very cheap and great value Isle Of Man all day bus pass! It is £7 for unlimited journeys!

I totally milked this bus ticket, hopping on and off a lot and was therefore able to visit Douglas, Peel, Kirk Michael, Ramsey, Laxey and Ronaldsway all on the same bus ticket, as well as the national football stadium, on the edge of Douglas, the capital city!

For Kirk Michael, I boarded the bus in Peel and it was just a short 20 minutes to Kirk Michael, up the hill and with stunning coastal views. Isle Of Man, might shock you – it’s stunningly beautiful!

 

About Kirk Michael, Isle Of Man

In this village, Kirk Michael, there are 26 backpacking sights actually listed on a board for tourists! I arrived by bus and then backpacked it on foot, looking for The Mitre. The oldest pub in Kirk Michael, and all os the Isle Of Man!

I didn’t actually backpack through all 26 of those sights in Kirk Michael, but I covered more than 50% of them as I was actually only coming here quickly, to basically have ONE pint in the country’s oldest pub. Yes, one pint and that was all I had on a day where I managed to have 1 pint in 5 different villages, towns or cities on the Isle Of Man (Peel, Kirk Michael, Ramsey, Laxey, Douglas).

The top 26 sights includes a red phone box that still works, a football stadium, this oldest pub in the country (The Mitre) and a green building with the National flag of the Isle of Man!

About The Mitre, Kirk Michael, Isle Of Man

The Mitre in Kirk Michael is recognised as the oldest pub on the Isle of Man, with origins dating back to 1786. When I heard this, I thought that The Mitre sounded more like a football, and that Kirk Michael sounded more like a football centre half! Or even a filmstar – Was it Kirk Douglas or Michael Douglas? I grew up in the 1980s and we loved a MITRE DELTA.

The Mitre, Kirk Michael, Isle Of Man is a historic establishment which is not dissimilar to any old style pub in England or Northern Ireland. The exterior is textbook public house.

The interior has exposed beams, an open fire, and a charming beer garden offering breathtaking views. The Mitre is renowned for its home-cooked, traditional food and is situated along the famous TT Course, making it a popular spot during TT fortnight.

The Mitre in Kirk Michael is self-declared, locally known and governmentally recognised as the oldest pub on the Island, there is no dispute on this for once! The cosy bar exudes village charm with locals enjoying their pints inside. There was darts being played, and sports on the TV. I visited in July 2022 and ordered up an O’Kell’s, a local Isle Of Man beer. I only popped in for one pint and that’s all I had.

Conveniently, the pub also features a spacious car park at the front so drivers can park up here. It is also on the bus route, with a bus stop on both sides of the road covering 3 routes. One goes to Peel, one goes to Ramsey, one goes to Douglas. I came and went by bus!

Isle of Man  was a truly wonderful, rewarding backpacking adventure. Here in Kirk Michael, I enjoyed having a pint of local O#kells ale in The Mitre Kirk Michael the OLDEST pub in the country!

Here are some details about The Mitre, the Oldest Pub In The Isle Of Man: