Old House of Keys, Castletown (Georgian/Victorian)

The old House of Keys (Manx parliament building) in Castletown, used from the 18th century until the parliament moved to Douglas in 1869. Castletown was the capital for centuries — the streets around the parliament building, market square, and Castle Rushen were the CENTRE of Manx political and commercial life. WHY: Parliament sessions drew crowds — landowners, merchants, lawyers, petitioners. Market days brought traders. The area around the old parliament and market square has centuries of dropped items in the soil. Any gardens, parks, or open ground in central Castletown — especially between the old House of Keys and Castle Rushen — is detecting-rich.