← Culture & Heritage

Keeill Coonlagh, Kirk Ooslan

Archaeology

The site of an early medieval chapel or keeill which is thought to have been in use between circa AD500 and AD1000. Keeill Coonlagh or Kirk Ooslan is thought to be the site of the first parish church of Jurby.


Mr Callister, the farmer in 1910, stated that the soil at this spot was quite black and rich and he had found human bones about two feet below the surface, but no foundation stones, lintel graves or slabs. The most important find here was a Scandanavian cross on which scenes from the Sigurd epic are engraved. It is now at Jurby parish church. In addition, a smaller cross and hollowed-out block of sandstone were found. A portion of a slate slab bearing five small incised crosses on one face was turned up by the plough. Another slate slab was unearthed about 1920. It forms the upper limb of a cross in low relief; the remainder has not been found. A further slate slab was found in 1973. This bore a lightly incised cross and is now in the Manx Museum (Accession. No. 1973-0010).

Ballaconley Farmhouse

Connections

Book Chapters

  • Parish: Jurby
  • Sheading: Michael
  • Grid Ref: NX3835000030

Sources

  • Isle of Man Heritage Environment Record
← Back to Culture & Heritage