Oistins

Oistins
Town
Oistins
Location on a map of Barbados parishes
Coordinates: 13°4′N 59°32′W / 13.067°N 59.533°W / 13.067; -59.533Coordinates: 13°4′N 59°32′W / 13.067°N 59.533°W / 13.067; -59.533[1]
Country Barbados Barbados
Parish Christ Church
Population (2013)[2]
 • Total 2,285
Time zone UTC-4 (Eastern Caribbean Time Zone)
Area code(s) +1 246

Oistins (Pronounced /'ȯis-tins/ -- UN/LOCODE: BB OST[3]), is a coastal area located in the country of Barbados. Situated centrally along the coastline of the parish of Christ Church, Through Statutory Instrument (S.I) 1984 No. 141, Road Traffic Act, CAP. 295, ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATIONS, and under Schedule Section # 6:[4] The Boundaries of Bridgetown, Speightstown, Holetown and Oistin are cited as follows: 4) "Oistins: The section of Highway 7 from its junction with Cane Vale Road to its junction with Keizer Hill Road." The area operates mostly as a fishing village and a tourist hang out, containing a collection of bars, rumshops, and shopping centers.

Etymology

It has been thought that the name "Oistins" is a corruption of "Austin's". Austin was an early landowner in this area, described by Richard Ligon, one of the first historians of Barbados, as "a wild, mad, drunken fellow whose lewd and extravagant carriage made him infamous in the island".

The name Oistin is known from the annals of Irish and Highlands of Scotland history. It is probably a Gaelification of the Norse name Thorstein. The name Oistin is still used in Ireland today.[5][6][7]

History

In its historical context, Oistins was known for being the location of the Treaty of Oistins Barbados charter, thought to have been signed at the site of the Mermaid's Inn, on 17 January 1652. The treaty was to bring a formal end to fighting between colonial settlers of Barbados and the English Commonwealth over Barbados right to trade with Spanish controlled Netherlands among other demands. Afterwards Oistins became the location of the Anglican parish church of Christ Church, the former Christ Church district hospital, and the former Barbados Coast Guard submarine station. In close proximity, many workers of Gerald Bull's Project HARP lived around Oistins and the nearby airport.

Tourism

A tradition has developed toward the end of the 20th century for tourists in Oistins to join in with locals at the Friday night (and slightly quieter Saturday night) Fish Fry and "lime" (social gathering), which sees many food and drink stalls selling fried fish meals and local craft, all to the accompaniment of loud music, while older inhabitants practice more traditional 'old time' dancing. The area is fairly close to many of the south coast hotels in Barbados and has several very attractive beaches, for example Miami Beach.

Plane spotting

The beach at Oistins is situated on the usual flight path of many jets landing at the Grantley Adams International Airport and thus is a common local Aircraft spotting location. Sun bathers and those in the water can watch as each plane to Barbados swoops down from the sky on its final approach to a landing at the airport some 1-2 kilometres to the North and East. The area also acts as a smaller port of the country featuring offshore landing for ships delivering fossils fuels to the island.[8]

References

  1. ↑ "Oistins, Barbados". GeoNames. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  2. ↑ http://population.mongabay.com/population/barbados/3373652/oistins
  3. ↑ Barbados codes, United Nations - Code for Trade and Transport Locations (UN/LOCODE) via UNECE
  4. ↑ Road Traffic Act
  5. ↑ https://books.google.ie/books?id=6WFO3QOU1c0C&pg=PA57&lpg=PA57&dq=hostin+lough+key&source=bl&ots=5uc784OL6u&sig=FOUieft6RmN5CK_djQG4rsRZb1o&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjB1aHc7urWAhUEAcAKHXs1CmAQ6AEIRTAE#v=onepage&q=hostin%20lough%20key&f=false
  6. ↑ "Glenhest - Gleann Oistín". Retrieved December 4, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Oistin Mac Bride". Retrieved December 4, 2011.
  8. ↑ Automated Manifest System Seaport Code: 27210.


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