The existence of a chapel on the Calf of Man, or the tradition of one, was known to Durham, who surveyed the island in 1595. It was thought that the keeill was located at the 'Bushel's House' site (PRN 0040.00), but more recent evidence locates it in the vicinity of 'Jane's House', a now-derelict farm cottage overlooking Cow Harbour. Lintel-graves were found in this area between 1888 and 1890. The area in the vicinity of OS Bench Mark 195.3 (SC 16526612) was examined in 1965 by J.R. Bruce and A.M. Cubbon. Probing of a slightly raised platform revealed the presence of several large buried stones, roughly in line, possibly indicating the site of the keeill.
The chapel was destroyed in 1773. In the course of its destruction a cross-slab bearing an early representation of the crucifixion was discovered. This had probably formed part of the altar and is dated to the 8th century. Angus-Butterworth describes the crucifix as a unique work of art and of great importance. It is made of local Manx slate and was probably carved on the Calf of Man. Kermode says that the 'fineness and delicacy of workmanship exceeds anything that is known of stone of that early period'. It was given to Manx Museum in 1955-6.
The existence of a chapel on the Calf of Man, or the tradition of one, was known to Durham, who surveyed the island in 1595. It was thought that the keeill was located at the 'Bushel's House' site (PRN 0040.00), but more recent evidence locates it in the vicinity of 'Jane's House', a now-derelict farm cottage overlooking Cow Harbour. Lintel-graves were found in this area between 1888 and 1890. The area in the vicinity of OS Bench Mark 195.3 (SC16526612) was examined in 1965 by J.R. Bruce and A.M. Cubbon. Probing of a slightly raised platform revealed the presence of several large buried stones, roughly in line, possibly indicating the site of the keeill.
The chapel was destroyed in 1773. In the course of its destruction a cross-slab bearing an early representation of the crucifixion was discovered. This had probably formed part of the altar and is dated to the 8th century. Angus-Butterworth describes the crucifix as a unique work of art and of great importance. It is made of local Manx slate and was probably carved on the Calf of Man. Kermode says that the 'fineness and delicacy of workmanship exceeds anything that is known of stone of that early period'. It was given to Manx Museum in 1955-6.
A large rectangular slab carved on both faces with a ring-head shafted cross, plait work and animal & human figures. There is a runic inscription on the edge of the stone. It was found circa 1850. It measures 3.0 metres long by 51cm and is 18cm thick.
See also Manx Cross 132.
This large rectangular slab previously stood in the village before being placed in the entrance to the churchyard in 1907 and finally inside the church itself in 1963, accounting for its worn condition. Each face of this slab is carved with a wheel-headed cross, the arms connected by a plain circular ring.
On one face, the head, arms and long cross shaft are decorated with a plait-of-eight. The plain ring joining the limbs of the cross is supported above and below by triquetra knots. The shaft is bordered with a double bead, terminating at top and bottom in spirals or 'volutes'. The lower spirals form a pedestal supporting the cross shaft. Above these are two panels depicting figures: to the left two stags are attacked by hounds, while to the right are a man on horseback and a riderless horse. Above these panels are two circular motifs formed by four back-to-back triquetras, which in turn support small crosses. Below the shaft are two interlaced dragons, and, separated by a band of step-pattern, a hound attacking a stag.
On the other face the head of the cross is decorated with looped bands and rings. The bands are carried down the shaft to form, with two others, a double-twist interlaced with diamond-shaped rings. Two of these strands escape from the foot of the shaft to create a pedestal formed from spiralling volutes. Above the head of the cross the fragmentary remains of a hound pursue a stag, while above them a bird is chased by a larger one. To one side of the cross shaft a rider on horseback followed by a spare horse. Below them the faint figure of a man reaches towards the cross, while below are the faint remains of another. To the right of the cross two animals, apparently a bull and ram, are shown head to head, and below them a bird and a horse.
One edge bears a twist and ring interlace motif, while the other is taken up with a runic inscription. Despite the presence of male figures and the depiction of pursuits usually dominated by men, this stone memorialises a woman, for this inscription translates as "Joalf, son of Thorolf the Red, raised this cross in memory of Fritha, his mother". Above the inscription can be seen a carving of a warrior, a spear in his right hand and a small round shield in his left, perhaps representing Joalf himself.
This cross was probably carved around AD950-975.
A large rectangular slab carved on both faces with a ring-head shafted cross, plait work and animal & human figures. There is a runic inscription on the edge of the stone. It was found circa 1850. It measures 3.0 metres long by 51cm and is 18cm thick.
This airfield was established as an RAF base in 1938, built on land acquired from the Ballamoar Estate. RAF Jurby closed in 1963 but the airfield is still maintained and used for civilian purposes. An industrial estate, the Isle of Man Prison and the Isle of Man Motor Museum are now located here.
A cropmark of a ditched trackway system discovered on an aerial photograph taken in 1979 on the north side of Jurby airstrip around which there is a major concentration of crop-mark evidence. It has been suggested that the trackway may have been made during construction work on Jurby airfield.
Prehistoric flint scatter.
A small quantity of worked prehistoric flint was recovered from Jurby Brooghs by CH Cowley.
As Cowley elsewhere records discoveries at Jurby Point (Jurby Head), Jurby Church Brooghs, and Sartfield Brooghs, it is possible that he meant to define a separate location. He may again have been attracted by the burial mound, since destroyed, at Ballasalla farm, to the vicinity of which the grid reference refers for indicative purposes only.
The antiquary Charles Harry Cowley was an avid collector of worked flint and coarse stone artefacts revealed by agricultural activity, mainly on farms located around Peel, and occasionally from further afield. He was active from 1900 until 1943. His entire collection of artefacts, together with a daybook cataloguing his discoveries, was later donated to Manx National Heritage.
A scatter of Mesolithic flint artefacts was found along a long section of coastal cliffs opposite Jurby Church and around the mouth of Killane river, collected from eroding cliffs and nearby fields. They included flint cores, blades, flakes and microliths. They are now kept at the Manx Museum.
Prehistoric flint scatter.
A small quantity of worked prehistoric flint was recovered from Jurby by CH Cowley, from 'Jurby Church Brooghs'.
The description refers to the area seaward of the parish church, centred at the grid reference provided. The coastline has since eroded back around 30metres since Cowley was active.
The antiquary Charles Harry Cowley was an avid collector of worked flint and coarse stone artefacts revealed by agricultural activity, mainly on farms located around Peel, and occasionally from further afield. He was active from 1900 until 1943. His entire collection of artefacts, together with a daybook cataloguing his discoveries, was later donated to Manx National Heritage.
Medieval burial mound. The mound is located in the parish churchyard. It has a diameter of 14m, though this is now a little indistinct because of subsequent disturbance, and stands to a height of 2m. Later graves, of mostly 19th century date, have been cut into the mound. Gravedigging at one point revealed a sword, of reputedly Viking Age date, though this was immediately reburied. A second sword has also been found in the graveyard, but its fate is not clear.
This cross-slab is one of a group of cross slabs dating to the 6th to 12th centuries AD which have been found at or near St Patrick's church, Jurby.
It is a fragment of a cross and measures 17 centimetres by 10 inches by 2.5 inches. It is kept in the north porch of Jurby Church.
This cross-slab is one of a group of cross slabs dating to the 6th to 12th centuries AD which have been found at or near St Patrick's church, Jurby.
The slab bears interlaced patterns in relief on each face. It measures 66 centimetres by 26.7 centimetres by 10.8 centimetres. It is kept in the North Porch of Jurby Church.
This cross-slab is one of a group of cross slabs dating to the 6th to 12th centuries AD which have been found at or near St Patrick's church, Jurby.
It is a slate cross-slab with an incised outline cross on one face. It measures 28.5 centimetres by 17.1 centimetres by 1.3 centimetres. It is kept in the north porch of Jurby Church.
