Medieval chapel, burial ground and holy well.


The Ordnance Survey 1:2500 First Edition mapping of 1867 shows the location of a chapel and burial ground at this location, formerly on Colby farm, together with the annotation, 'Site of St Nicholas' Chapel & Burial Ground'. Field boundaries to the west and north, and steep slopes to the south, define the location, within which the site is marked.


The Manx Archaeological Survey (1915) records the site as lying on a knoll, and notes that the site is sometimes known as Cashtal Niglus on account of its obviously defensible position, suggestive of a fort, overlooking the lowest bridging point on the Laxey river and the mouth of a natural harbour. The Survey also draws attention to the survival of the chapel's dedication, which is comparatively rare for such sites on the Isle of Man.


The Survey makes no other comment about the site, implying that neither the chapel nor the burial ground were visible, but notes the nearby presence to the south of Chibbyr Niglus (St Nicholas' Well) which was filled in 'having been desecrated by bloodshed'.


A Royal Commission field inspector noted in 1976 that the site occupied a flat-topped plateau which was prominent enough to have suggested the idea of a fort but that there was nothing evident on the ground to support this idea. He also recorded that the summit of the plateau was uncultivated, and was unable to locate the site of the well.


LS Garrad (Manx Museum 1964-96) speculated that the well might be that recorded in OS Field no. 1897 to the east of the site; this is shown on the OS map of 1867 with a path leading to it, which would appear unlikely given the tradition surrounding it.