President of Tynwald submits proposals for King Orry statue

The statue would be erected on land beside Tynwald Hill

The President of Tynwald has submitted a planning application to install a bronze statue of King Orry in St John’s, next to Tynwald Hill.

The illuminated statue is expected to stand just under three metres tall and 1.8 metres wide, depicting King Orry with his sword sheathed and his left arm outstretched.

It will be mounted on a plinth, inscribed with King Orry’s name in Manx Gaelic, English, and runes.

Accompanying the installation will be a plaque detailing his historical significance, drawing from the Chronicles of the Kings of Man and the Isles - the earliest recorded history of the Island.

The estimated cost of the project has not yet been disclosed but Manx Radio has been told the sculpture is being 'privately funded', not with public money.

King Orry is credited with introducing the Island’s legal system, and his arrival on the Isle of Man is considered the starting point of Manx history as we know it.

President 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”.