AN ACTION-PACKED SUMMER on the Isle of Man

Summer is the most exciting time of the year to be on the Isle of Man with various social and cultural events held throughout June, July, and August! You can almost guarantee that there will be something fun to do for everyone. IFGL and its principal brands, Ardan International, Friends Provident International and RL360, are proud to call the Isle of Man our home and are pleased to help support a number of events across the Island this summer:

KPMG Prom Relay

Friday 7 July 2023

The KPMG Prom Relay is a popular annual event that takes place on Douglas Promenade. Teams of up to 4 people or aspiring solo runners compete in a 5k dash to raise money for charity. Last year, over 200 runners took part and raised £11,600 for Project 21 (five local charities working together to support people with learning difficulties). The chosen charity for this year’s event is Live at Home, which provides support for the elderly people on the Island who live in isolation. As well as being a sponsor of the run, a number of IFGL’s staff will be taking part in this year’s run. Come and show your support for the event by entering a team or simply cheering on from the sidelines!

The Manx Telecom Parish Walk

Saturday 24 June 2023

The Island’s largest mass-participation event is undoubtedly The Manx Telecom Parish Walk, attracting over a thousand competitors each year to walk along the gruelling 85 mile course. The event is a testament to the Island’s close-knit community as family, friends and spectators gather at different points of the course to rally on the walkers. The Parish Walk, unfortunately, also has a huge environmental impact due to the number of support cars travelling during the event and the various food and drink stations dotted around the course.

In 2022, IFGL became the official sustainability partner of the Parish Walk to help reduce the level of waste and pollution that occurs on the day. Last year, we placed several recycling and waste bins on the course and managed to reduce the amount of rubbish from 2.42 tonnes (from the 2021 Parish Walk) to 360kg! We hope to see a similar result in this year’s event which marks the second year of our three-year partnership.

World Tin Bath Championships

Saturday 8 July 2023

The Tin Bath Championships has been a quirky and much loved part of Manx history since the first races were held back in 1971. Organised by the Castletown Ale Drinkers Society, hundreds of competitors attempt to paddle their way to victory in makeshift (but safety-regulated) tin baths in Castletown Harbour.

IFGL will be working alongside Manx Radio, the World Tin Bath Championships’ official broadcasting partner, to support the event. This is one day out that will be filled with laughter and beer and all the proceeds raised on the day will be divided amongst several local charities.

Southern 100 Races

Monday 10 to Thursday 13 July 2023

IFGL has had a long-running association with motorcycling. RL360 has been the title sponsor of the TT Superstock race for the past 21 years. Friends Provident International was a previous sponsor of the Southern 100 races. The motorcycling fever starts with the TT Races in early June and continues on when the classic Southern 100 races take place on the Billown Circuit. A vital part of the Isle of Man’s culture, the races have been running for over 65 years and gives motorsports fans a chance to catch another glimpse of famous riders such as Dean Harrison, Davey Todd and Michael Dunlop in action.

Port Erin Beach Festival

Friday 14 to Sunday 16 July 2023

As part of our ongoing media partnership with Manx Radio, IFGL will also be supporting this year’s Port Erin Beach Festival. The 2 day event takes place on one of the Island’s best beaches and is a celebration of its thriving marine wildlife. Local food and drink stalls line up along the promenade whilst fun activities such as sandcastle building competitions, dog shows and live music take place on the beach. You’ll also have the chance to interact with peculiar sea creatures (sea urchins, starfish, sea hares etc) by visiting the Manx Wildlife Trust’s Mega Tanks!

The Viking Longboat Races

Saturday 22 July 2023

IFGL and RL360 have been proud sponsors of The Viking Longboat Races for over 20 years and will once again be supporting this year’s event when it returns to Peel Harbour for its 60th anniversary. The competition attracts hundreds of competitors from all over the Island who, in teams of 10, race against each other in full-sized viking longboats to claim the fastest lap around Peel Harbour. There are cash prizes on offer for the winning teams and runners up in each of the three categories: Men’s, Ladies and Mixed. It truly is a test of physical strength and teamwork whilst also being a fun day out!

Yn Chruinnaght Celtic Festival

Monday 24 to Sunday 30 July 2023

If you’re looking to immerse yourself in Manx culture then Yn Chruinnaght is the place to be. The festival takes place in Douglas and Peel and celebrates the Island’s connection with other Celtic nations, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Cornwall and Brittany, through live traditional music, arts and crafts and cookery sessions. You can even join in on the traditional Mega Manx Ceili at the Villa Marina, don’t worry if you’re not familiar with the dance because you can learn on the night with professional caller Gráinne Joughin!

Royal Manx Agricultural Show

Friday 11 to Saturday 12 August 2023

The IFGL Manx Radio partnership will also be in evidence at the biggest agricultural event on the Island this year, The Royal Manx Agricultural Show! Every year, members of the Isle of Man Agricultural Society and a number of volunteers come together to hold the event at Knockaloe Beg Farm. The show offers a wide selection of local food and drink stalls as well as fabulous livestock displays over the two days, tickets are only £8 for either Friday or Saturday and it’s free entry for children under 16. Don’t miss out on this perfect family outing and show your support for the Island’s farming community!