On the morning of February 9 this year, island residents past and present woke up to the shocking news of the demise of the Ballacallin Hotel in Dalby.

A catastrophic fire had engulfed the building in the middle of the night, leaving nothing but an soot-blackened shell.

Arson has been ruled out following a joint police and fire investigation.

What was left of the old country pub and hotel has now been flattened, marking the end of a special era for the west of the Isle of Man.

The Ballacallin will be sorely missed by island residents and visitors alike.

It had arguably one of the best views in the island, looking out across the Irish Sea to the Mountains of Mourne and the Mull of Galloway.

Many a basking shark had been spotted from the terrace on a balmy evening.

Now to capture some of the special times held here over the past 100 years, a history of recollections and memories is being compiled.

Lindsay Quayle, a former landlady from the late 1980s to the 1990s, and Anne Moorhouse - one of her first employees - are collecting material for the Ballacallin History Project.

Stories and anecdotes about family occasions, community events, pool and darts team evenings, annual dinners, music nights, quiz evenings, or just special memories that need to be preserved would be welcomed from all island residents and further afield.

And Lindsay and Anne would love you to get in touch.

Any photos of occasions and events there would also be welcomed, as would photographs of any memorabilia.

Anne, who grew up in Dalby village, said: ’The Ballacallin Hotel hosted a multitude of diverse functions, many of which centred around the local community and church.

’Other events such as The Triumph Owners Motor Cycle Club during TT week brought locals and visitors together, and some of the stories from yesteryear about local shenanigans would bring a tear to your eye.

’These stories are especially welcome - if you dare.

’The famous fish and chips was arguably the Ballacallin’s most requested signature dish so if you recall going out west and having a night to remember please get in touch so that this fitting tribute can commemorate all the good times and community events from down the years.’

She added: ’It really is inspirational collecting memories from recent times out at the Ballacallin, and some of the stories are absolute corkers!’

To get in touch email [email protected] or ring 07624 422853.

No event is too small to mention, and all stories are most welcome as part of this history project.

Lindsay is available to interview people after lockdown and can record oral histories if you prefer to have a cup of tea and a chat instead of putting pen to paper.