Greetings to all:

I have recently been informed that prior to 1900 before Ireland was called Ireland offically
it was also referred to as the Isle of Man. Is this true, or not? My great grand father Frank/Francis McCombe claimed he was a Manxman from the Isle of Man, but additional research indicated he was born in County Down abourt 1865. Most likely there were and are a few McCombe's who are true Manxman. Any help would be most appreciated.