← Culture & Heritage

Chibbyr Vael, The Fairy Well

Archaeology

The site of a medieval holy well known as Chibbyr Vael, also known as the Holy Well and the Fairy Well, in Crogga Glen.


The site was identified by a local informant, Mr Alcock, who stated "I have known the well for 29 years by the name of Fairy Well and have never heard it referred to as a holy well. As far as I know no one visits it and there is no fetish belief connected with it." The well is shown on the 1870 1:10560 scale Ordnance Survey map.


The well or spring has been hollowed out in the form of a grotto in the side of a steep hill. It is 1.5 metres wide and recessed 2.3 metres. The waste stone has been thrown over to form a mound in the west. The vertical drop at the present well face is 1.8 metres.  A cemented wall has been built across its face and a modern well door inserted, behind which can be seen a dry water course passing down from the hill top. A well worn path approaches the well from the east and from the west.  The water has been piped to Crogga.

Crogga Glen

Connections

Book Chapters

  • Parish: Santon
  • Sheading: Middle
  • Grid Ref: SC3335072550

Sources

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