A bronze statue of Godred Crovan, popularly known as King Orry, is to be erected in St John’s next to the main road, close to Tynwald Hill, subject to planning application.  

Designed by local artists Stephanie Quayle-Jackson and Darren Jackson and funded by private donations, the statue of the historic Norse ruler will commemorate the Isle of Man’s Viking heritage and the world’s oldest parliament in continuous operation: Tynwald.

The 7ft statue will stand on a plinth which will be adorned with his name in Manx Gaelic, English and runes. The installation will also include a plaque with more detailed information about the history and significance of King Orry taken from the earliest written history of the Island, the Chronicles of the Kings of Man and the Isles.

The design of the statue will have the figure facing Tynwald Hill with an arm pointing north. This is in reference to the tradition that King Orry first landed in the north of the Island.

Subject to planning permission being granted, it is hoped that the art installation will be installed ready for Tynwald Day this year.

The plans for the plinth and a CGI image of the installation can be seen on the Isle of Man Government Planning site: https://pbc.gov.im/online-applications/ Reference: 25/90193/B

The President of Tynwald, the Hon Laurence Skelly, said:

“I have always held the strong belief that it is important to recognise and celebrate our origins and in particular Tynwald. Godred Crovan, aka King Orry is widely recognised as one of our Norse forefathers and part of the Viking dynasty which established Tynwald; commemorating him at St John’s is very fitting. The commissioning of the statue has been made possible through generous private donors on the Island who also value greatly our heritage and our most ancient institution, Tynwald. Internationally acclaimed local artists Stephanie Quayle-Jackson and Darren Jackson have been commissioned to sculpt the statue that, if approved by planning, will hopefully be unveiled in time for Tynwald Day this year”.

For further information contact:

The President of Tynwald
Office of the Clerk of Tynwald
Telephone: 01624 685500
Email: enquiries@tynwald.org.im
Website: www.tynwald.org.im

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Editor Notes:

The statue is funded by private donors and the donors have asked not to be named

The statue design was created by artists Stephanie Quayle-Jackson and Darren Jackson - http://www.farmyardstudio.com/

Full details of the planning application process is available online - https://pabc.gov.im/planning/planning-process-timescale/