Pro's and Con's of opening a Stg account

Looking to change some sterling (http://www.transfermate.com/) and wanted to have a sterling account opened. My research shows the following:

Isle of Man
[broken link removed]
3.55%

Ireland
[broken link removed]
1.76%

Is there any banks that can compete with the Isle of Man available % ?

Anglo Irish IOM have been posted here on many occasions as having some of the highest rates.

Other options include ...
1) Going to a Northern Irish bank that will accept ROI documentation.
2) Ringing Investec and other banks and asking for their GBP rates
3) Bank of Scotland Ireland have some [broken link removed] but only if you are happy to lock for 2 years +.