The tallest surviving structure on the site, the church tower was inserted within the north transept, rather than over the crossing, after the church had been completed. Massive beam holes in the masonry at the top of the tower suggest a substantial roof structure, possibly capable of supporting a peal of bells.
A small turret projects from the present boundary wall surrounding the site, suggesting that a secure precinct wall once protected the approach to the west front of the church nave.
Excavations between 1998-2000 revealed the layout of the core claustral buildings centred around the cloister to the south of the abbey church. With the exception of the chapter house, all masonry had been robbed out down to foundation level. The west range was overlaid by a complex of structures built around the time of the dissolution, and possibly representing the site's re-use for agricultural purposes.
A rubble built square tower with fragments of walling protruding to the east and west from its south wall. Fragments of foundations extend for 3.0 m from the north wall of the tower. They stand to a height of 0.3 m.
Savignian and Cistercian monastery. Rushen Abbey was founded in 1134 through a grant of land from King Olaf Godredsson to Furness Abbey, a powerful Savignian monastery in modern Cumbria. In 1147 the Savignian order was absorbed into the Cistercian order, whose influence across northern England and Ireland was even greater. Construction initially seems to have been slow, as the church was only dedicated in 1257.
The abbey was endowed with some of the richest farmland in the south of the Island, and soon had control of additional land in the parish of Malew. By the time of the Dissolution - Rushen Abbey was one of the last monasteries to be closed in 1540 - the abbey was responsible for all lands owned by the Church throughout the Island, and thus yielded a sum of money to the English Crown out of proportion to its small size.
Only a handful of ruins still survive on the site, but most of the foundations of the major buildings can now be traced after extensive excavation. Ongoing research suggests a grander site than the ruins would initially imply.
The site conforms with the usual Cistercian layout, with the church to the north of a cloister around which three ranges were constructed. The east housed the chapter house and day rooms with dormitory over; the south a refectory and kitchen; the west range appears to have undergone significant change, perhaps reflecting a lack of lay brothers and the renting out of the monastic estates to the north. The chancel, north transept and cloister walkway contains several burials. A guest house and abbot's lodging lay to the east of the claustral ranges adjacent to the river. To the south a burial ground has revealed both male and female skeletons, and may have been for secular use.
78 names listed; First world War.
32 names listed; Second World War.
The tablet is fixed on the north interior wall of the church and is of the dimensions 2.32m x 975cm x 6.5cm. It is composed of a polished black and white marble wall slab, on which is fixed a red alabaster moulded and polished surround, inlaid with gold and red mosaic of a neat design. The centre panel is of white statuary marble, on which is inscribed in plain block lettering the dedication inscription and 78 names of those parishioners who fell in the war; Navy, Army, and Mercantile Marine.
The memorial was unveiled 21 April 1921 by the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man, Sir William Fry, accompanied by Lady Fry and Mr Leigh Goldie-Taubman, H.K. It was dedicated by the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Mann. The clergy and ministers present were the Lord Bishop, Rev Canon Leece , R.D. (Vicar), Rev Wm. R. Cannell (curate) who carried the Pastoral Staff, Rev E. C. Botwood (curate), Rev Robt. Ferguson (a former curate of Rushen), Rev W. J. Hannam (Superintendent Wesleyan minister), Rev J. W. Haswell (Wesleyan) and the Rev John Graham (Superintendent Primitive minister).
The memorial was designed and sculpted by Mr T. H. Royston of Douglas. The cost of the Tablet and Lychgate, together with the alterations to the entrance of the Churchyard, was approximately £400.
Information provided by the Isle of Man Government Preservation of War Memorials Committee. Image courtesy of Chris Blyth, Isle of Man Photographic Society.
No names listed. First World War and Second World War. The Lychgate has an interior dimension of 2.89m by 2.59m. The walls are of local rubble stone, cemented and rough cast, with an alcove on either side containing oak seat; and on each wall is a marble tablet inscribed. The floor is paved with local stone slabs, and the roof covered with Manx Barrule slates. All the woodwork:, uprights, beams purlins, rafters and gates are made out of Manx-grown oak.
The memorial was unveiled 21 April 1921 by the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man, Sir William Fry, accompanied by Lady Fry and Mr Leigh Goldie-Taubman, H.K. It was dedicated by the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Mann. The clergy and ministers present were the Lord Bishop, Rev Canon Leece , R.D. (Vicar), Rev Wm. R. Cannell (curate) who carried the Pastoral Staff, Rev E. C. Botwood (curate), Rev Robt. Ferguson (a former curate of Rushen), Rev W. J. Hannam (Superintendent Wesleyan minister), Rev J. W. Haswell (Wesleyan) and the Rev John Graham (Superintendent Primitive minister). The memorial was sponsored by public subscription. It was initiated and materialised at the instance of the members of the Parochial Church Council (with the Vicar chairman), who formed themselves into a Memorials Committee, after previous unsuccesful attempts had been made in other directions.
The memorial was designed by Mr T. H, Royston of Douglas. The woodwork was executed by Mr Herbert Moore, joiner and builder, Athol-street, Port St. Mary. The masonry by Mr Joseph Hudgeon, of Gansey-under the supervision of Mr Royston. The cost of the Tablet and Lychgate, together with the alterations to the entrance of the Churchyard, was approximately £400.
This is a record for a "sheep dip" noted during a field visit in 1987. It consists of a natural rock outcrop adapted with banking and walling to create a fold.
81 names listed in alphabetical order; First World War. Paper roll of honour mounted behind glass, set within a wooden frame. 4 columns of names listed under the above title. Those who fell are marked with an asterisk. Bordered by a green and gold leaf design. Emblem of a crown above the title. On the emblem are the following words 'honour where honour is due'. Donated to the Manx Museum upon closure of Salisbury Street Church in August 2009. Printed by McDougall's Educational Co. Ltd of Farringdon Avenue, London and East Claremont Street, Edinburgh. Information provided by the Isle of Man Government Preservation of War Memorials Committee. Image courtesy of Chris Blyth, Isle of Man Photographic Society. Find on Map or Report Condition
Prehistoric flint scatter.
A single worked prehistoric flint was recovered from Sandhouse by CH Cowley, from the 'Field SW Ballalough Curragh'.
The description appears to clearly relate to OS Field nos 2113 and 2114, which have long been amalgamated. The grid reference relates to the centre of the two former fields.
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.
Prehistoric flint scatter.
A single worked prehistoric flint was recovered from Sandhouse by CH Cowley, from 'Under Cronk Lhammag'.
The description appears to relate to OS Field no. 2121, which is centred at the grid reference for indicative purposes.
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.
Sandulf's Cross is a large intact rectangular slab which is inscribed with a shafted cross, and animal and human figures carved on each face. It has a runic inscription on its edge. The slab was found circa 1880 and measures 1.93 metres by 43 centimetres by 14 centimetres thick.
The Sandygate Methodist Chapel was first built in 1822 and was rebuilt in its present form and is shown on the 1869 1:2500 scale Ordnance Survey map. It still stands intact and remained open in 2021.
The findspot of a Mesolithic flint flake which was collected by G.W. Lamplugh. The find was made in OS Field No 1312 (shown on the 1:2500 large scale mapping published in 1870), and the grid reference relates to the centre of the field as depicted.
The findspot of a scatter of Neolithic flint flakes, found some 450 metres southeast of Sandygate.
The original description of the location ('about 500 yards') would indicate a findspot in the area of the grid reference provided, in a spot overlooking the now-canalised Lhen Trench.
