The chapel is orientated WNW-ESE. In 1885 it was described as measuring 5.8 by 3.1m internally, with walls 1.8m high, and a doorway towards the east end of the 'south' wall. In the 1920s and 1930s the structure was reduced almost to foundation level and rebuilt. Its dry stone walls are now 1.3m high internally, 0.5m externally and are 1m thick. There is an entrance 0.5m wide in the SW wall but no visible trace of an altar.
Finds include Edward I silver coins recovered from near the base of a wall, a hollowed boulder, a perforated slate disc, and a perforated slate slab.
Medieval burial ground.
A mound once observed surrounding the chapel is now difficult to discern on the ground, unless represented by the line of the present boundary fence which was erected in 1937. Nevertheless, a cropmark suggesting an oval enclosure was apparent on aerial photography current in 2009, and tradition holds that the enclosure was once defined by boulders. Such substantial efforts would tend to imply that the enclosure was once used for burial.
Medieval chapel and burial ground. The chapel is orientated east-west, and measures internally 4 by 2.5m, with walls standing 0.8m high and 1.1m thick, capped with turf. It was investigated by the Manx Archaeological Survey in 1908, and was found to have a paved floor, with a slightly raised aisle leading from the door in the west gable to the altar against the east. Only slight remains of the altar survive, 1.2m wide by 0.75m deep, standing just 0.2m high. The building is surrounded by a bank of collapsed masonry about 1m wide.
The chapel is railed off and the immediately surrounding area is slightly raised. The Survey recorded the surrounding enclosure as being 24m in diameter, with an enclosure boundary 2-3m wide, and noted the discovery of graves about 14m from the north-west corner of the chapel under the farm lane. The enclosure is today far less distinct. Traces of burial were noted inside the chapel.
Medieval chapel. The chapel is orientated east-west, and measures internally 4 by 2.5m, with walls standing 0.8m high and 1.1m thick, capped with turf.
It was investigated by the Manx Archaeological Survey in 1908, and was found to have a paved floor, with a slightly raised aisle leading from the door in the west gable to the altar against the east. Only slight remains of the altar survive, 1.2m wide by 0.75m deep, standing just 0.2m high. The building is surrounded by a bank of collapsed masonry about 1m wide.
Medieval burial ground. The site was investigated by the Manx Archaeological Survey in 1908.
The area immediately surrounding the chapel is slightly raised. The Survey recorded the surrounding enclosure as being 24m in diameter, with an enclosure boundary 2-3m wide, and noted the discovery of graves about 14m from the north-west corner of the chapel under the farm lane. The enclosure is today far less distinct. Traces of burial were noted inside the chapel.
The site of an early medieval keeill or chapel which is thought to have been in use between circa AD500 and circa AD1000. The site is shown on the 1870 1:2500 scale Ordnance Survey map.
The foundations of the keeill have been measured at 9.2 metres by 3.6 metres internally. An entrance is in the west but no trace of an altar was found. In the southeast corner is a hole 1.0 metre deep in which is an upright stone pillar 0.8 metres high by 0.4 metres by 0.2 metres. The keeill building stood within a raised enclosure which had an external diameter of some 23 metres.
The remains of this chapel with its burial ground enclosure stand an average of 1.0 metre above the surrounding ground. Outside the enclosure is a distinct ring, circa 27 metres in diameter and slightly raised.
Kermode was refused permission to excavate here in 1910-11. A fragment of a granite saddle quern has been found at the base of the keeill mound.
A carved stone cross. Investigation of the keeill in 1910 by the Manx Archaeological Survey recovered a simple cross-incised slab inside the chapel and just to the north of the doorway through the west gable.
See also Manx Cross 12.
This small, narrow slab was found at Cabbal Keeill Pheric (IOMHER 0856.00) in 1910 during excavations by the Manx Archaeological Survey. It bears a simple cross incised at the head of one face. Its upper and lower limbs are much longer than its arms.
Medieval chapel and burial ground. The keeill is orientated ENE-WSW, and measures internally 7 by 4m. The walls are between just 0.7 and 1.2m thick and survive to a height of up to 1m. The Manx Archaeological Survey in 1910 found that the north wall showed a distinct outside batter, whilst collapsed masonry was piled against the west gable.
The doorway is located in the west gable, and was found to have both internal and external splays. Inside the chapel just to the north of the doorway a simple cross-incised slab was recovered (Manx Cross 012). Coursed masonry in the east gable appeared preparatory to the placement of a window cill but the stone itself has been robbed.
Internally, paving only survived near the altar at the east end. Adjacent, the footings of a 2.3m wide altar, tapering to 1.6m towards the front also survived, but the larger slabs with which it was faced had been robbed.
Around the chapel a rather irregular oval enclosure defined by an earthwork bank is apparent, measuring about 27 by 24m. Outside, on the south-west side, a small rectangular building is attached to the embankment, and is thought to represent a cell for the priest. Although the enclosure was tested for burials, the Survey found none, having been frustrated by tree roots.
Medieval chapel. The keeill is orientated ENE-WSW, and measures internally 7 by 4m. The walls are between just 0.7 and 1.2m thick and survive to a height of up to 1m. The Manx Archaeological Survey in 1910 found that the north wall showed a distinct outside batter, whilst collapsed masonry was piled against the west gable.
The doorway is located in the west gable, and was found to have both internal and external splays. Coursed masonry in the east gable appeared preparatory to the placement of a window cill but the stone itself has been robbed.
Internally, paving only survived near the altar at the east end. Adjacent, the footings of a 2.3m wide altar, tapering to 1.6m towards the front also survived, but the larger slabs with which it was faced had been robbed.
Medieval burial ground. The chapel is enclosed within a rather irregular oval enclosure defined by an earthwork bank, measuring about 27 by 24m. Outside, on the south-west, lies a priest's cell. Although the enclosure was tested for burials, the Manx Archaeological Survey found none in 1910, having been frustrated by tree roots. The presence of the embanked enclosure, together with the recovery of a stone gravemarker, implies that burials are nevertheless likely.
Medieval priest's cell.
On the south-west side of the rather irregular oval enclosure surrounding the chapel lies a small rectangular building, attached to the outside of the embankment. It is thought to be a priest's cell.
Medieval carved stone cross. Investigation of the keeill in 1910 by the Manx Archaeological Survey recovered a simple cross-incised slab inside the chapel and just to the north of the doorway through the west gable.
The stone is numbered as Manx Cross 012.
Cabbal Rhullickey, on the Bishop's Demense, is not marked on the Ordnance Survey maps and no trace of it now exists. It is thought that it would be in the field numbered as Plot 1541 on the 1870 1:2500 scale Ordnance Survey map. In an edition of the Manx Advertiser from 1826 the site is referred to as Cabbal Ronnican and Kneen thought that the present form of the name is a corruption of St Roincheann.
Two storey, double-fronted house. Originally constructed before 1868 (present on Ordnance Survey 1:2500 1st edition map of that date).
The property was acquired by the Manx Museum and National Trust in 1996.
This possible promontory fort may be a natural feature. It consists of a 20.0 metre wide bank, which has an external height of circa 3.0 metres and an inner height of up to 1.0 metre. The "bank" is largely composed of outcropping rock with some soil cover, which creates the bank effect. Its orientation conforms to that of the strata in this part of the island and there is no visible trace of artificial treatment. There is no trace of an outer ditch in the comparatively undisturbed ground. The absence of a ditch suggests that this is indeed a natural feature, as a ditch would be essential to complete the defences of a fort, particularly where the bank fades. Unlike the promontory forts in the Isle of Man this feature is not sited to take advantage of natural defences in addition to the seaward cliffs.
The site of a Bronze Age burial cairn, which is shown on the 1869 1:2500 scale Ordnance Survey map. P.M.C. Kermode, in his List of Manx Antiquities (No.27) suggests that this cairn may originally have been known as "Cairn ny Wheel."
The cairn consists of a ditchless mound with a diameter of 12.0 metres and a minimum height of 0.4 metres which has been ploughed over. The number of stones exposed on the surface shows a heavy stone content to the mound.
The site of a Bronze Age burial cairn, which is shown on the 1869 1:2500 scale Ordnance Survey map. P.M.C. Kermode, in his List of Manx Antiquities (No.27) suggests that this cairn may originally have been known as "Cairn ny Wheel."
The cairn consists of a ditchless mound with a diameter of 12.0 metres and a minimum height of 0.4 metres which has been ploughed over. The number of stones exposed on the surface shows a heavy stone content to the mound.
Undated grave.
W Cubbon (director of the Manx Museum 1932-40) maintained a set of Ordnance Survey 1:10560 maps of the Isle of Man, on which he recorded antiquarian observations and discoveries.
At the grid reference provided, he noted 'Caley's Grave'. The type and age of the grave is not known, but a disc of red, semi-precious stone, discovered c.1890, is reputed to have come from it.
The object is in the Manx National Heritage collections, accession no. 1954-1710.
