The site of St Mary's chapel and burial ground (Keeill Moirrey). The keeill is thought to date to AD 500-1000. No feature identifiable as a chapel or burial ground enclosure remains today and the area is now covered by fern, gorse and grass. The ground slightly falls away to the south but the slopes appear to be natural.
The Ordnance Survey's 6 inch map of 1868 shows a banked enclosure here, apparently about 80 feet in diameter, but more recent 6 inch maps omit the feature and renders the name 'Keeill Woirrey', according with the present local pronunciation. The field name 'Keeill Wornish' occurs in a Deed of Conveyance of 1892 and is also recorded by Gill.
No foundations of the keeill or associated burials appear to have been recorded from the site. The site is heavily overgrown with gorse and it is almost impossible to define its borders. It appears, however, to contain no vestige of banks or walling. In the vicinity are several spoil heaps, doubtless connected with the nearby waterworks (Lower Ballacannell Reservoir).
The Great War / 1914-1918 / "Greet them again with tender / words and grave, / for, saving thee, themselves / they could not save." [list of 8 names] "Requiescant in Peace." / Holy Father, in thy mercy / Hear our anxious prayer / Keep our loved ones now far absent / 'Death thy car. / Our Roll of Honour. Followed by a list of 15 names. There is then a the title "R.I.P." followed by a list of 8 names.
Within the Nunnery grounds, opposite the entrance of St Mary's there is a crucifix with an inscription either side. Right-hand tablet: List of 8 names. "Requiescat in Pace"
The site of the old parish Church of St Mary, Ballaugh, which was rebuilt in 1717, is thought likely to have been occupied by an early medieval keeill but no trace of such has been found. A Scandanavian cross-slab found in the churchyard is now kept inside the church.
This cement rendered stone-walled church has a slate hipped roof partially concealed behind a castellated parapet wall extending around the entire building. The plan form is rectangular with a curved western gable and a truncated wing marking the entrance treatment is treated with four pilasters rising the height of the facade to a peaked parapet below the tower. The upper levels of this entrance are marked by three molded medallions between the pilasters and pointed arched windows and head vestibule of the main entrance. The entrance on the north, directly from Market Square is dominated by a square tower, also castellated at it's parapet. Whereas the main facade is punctuated by rectangular windows with head mouldings, the protruding entrance treatment is treated with four pilasters rising the height of the facade to a peaked parapet below the tower. The upper levels of this entrance are marked by three molded medallions between the pilasters and pointed arched windows and head mouldings in contrast to those of the rest of the facade. The interior of the church is characterised by an extensive wooden balcony. However the interior condition is much deteriorated and in need of repair. The exterior maintenance also leaves much to be desired. The church is important in historic terms as well as for it's prime position as the focal point of the main square of the town (notwithstanding the importance of the Castle Rushen which is to one side). The first St Mary's Church was constructed on this site in 1701 to be replaced by Bishop Wilson 125 years later with the present nave which has no west door, no east window and no stained glass. An octagonal lantern tower was replaced in 1912 by the present square structure and the building was extensively restored in 1954. Since visually the building is falling into decay once more it should be listed for preservation for both it's historic and civic significance.
The above description was prepared in justification of the buidling's protection, prior to the development of Registered Building and Conservation Area legislation and regulation.
The structure was placed on the Protected Buildings Register (No 72) in 1984. All internal fittings were removed leaving only the roof and masonry shell following approval for its conversion to offices in the mid-1980s.
No names listed; Second World War. Grey-green marble plaque, darker marble border around the edge of the plaque. Carved inscription. Gold cross above the inscription. 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
67 names listed alphabetically; First World War. Grey stone of remembrance with dark grey, carved inscription. 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
The site of St Mary's Chapel or Ballure Chapel, which was rebuilt and consecrated in 1747 and is thought to occupy the site of an ancient keeill of which no trace now survives. The chapel was repaired and restored in 1850. It has been suggested that the cross fragment in Maughold churchyard (Manx Cross 122 [Kermode 96]) came originally from this site.
The possible site of an early medieval keeill or chapel at the site of St Mary's Chapel or Ballure Chapel, which was rebuilt and consecrated in 1747. It has been suggested that the cross fragment in Maughold churchyard (Manx Cross 122 [Kermode 96]) came originally from this site. No trace of the keeill survives.
The site of an early medieval chapel or keeill, thought to have been in use between approximately AD500 to AD1000. The site is depicted as a subcircular mound on the 1869 1:2500 scale Ordnance Survey map. No visible trace of the chapel, or of its burial ground enclosure, appears to have survived today, but a sandy knoll is present at the site. The name of Keeill Moirrey appears to have preserved the memory of its dedication. As the site appears not to have been ploughed over, it is possible that some trace of the foundations may still remain buried here.
Left hand panel reads: "To the Glory / of God and / in memory of" [41 names listed]; First World War.
On the right hand panel beneath the list of names, are inscribed the last two lines of J.M. Neale's translation of the Latin hymn "Dies Irae," which reads as follows: "Lord all pitying Jesu blest / Grant them thine eternal rest." [37 names listed]; First World War. Names are listed in art nouveau style lettering by Archibald Knox, on two plaques of red sandstone and Manx rough stone. Each plaque is mounted either side of a crucifix which is made out of white sandstone. The sculptor of the crucifix was Harry Emms of Exeter.
The memorial was unveiled on 28 July 1921 by Lieutenant Governor Major General Sir W. Fry. It was dedicated by Reverend H.S. Taggart on 28 July 1921. The memorial was sponsored by private donation from the congregation of St Matthew's Church. The memorial was built by Thos Quayle, a stonemason of Douglas. Memorial designed by Archibald Knox.
In 1994, the memorial was renovated in granite, due to the excessive weathering of the original sandstone. Fuding for the refurbishment was partly provided by the Douglas Development Partnership, as part of the Douglas 2000 initiative. The new memorial was designed by the architect Ashley Pettit and the work completed by David Gregg of Gregg memorials.
St Maughold (Machutus or MacCul) is the patron saint of the Diocese of Sodor and Man. According to Manx tradition, he was an Irish brigand converted by St Patrick, who set him adrift in a coracle as penance; he landed on the Isle of Man, where he became a hermit and later bishop. The parish and headland of Maughold in the north of the Island are named after him.
Marble tablet commemorating the men and women from the parish who gave their lives in two world wars and in subsequent conflicts. Their names are on the parish memorial.
St Maughold's Chair is shown on the 1870 1:2500 scale Ordnance Survey map to the east of St Maughold's Well. It was a natural feature formed either in the cliff edge or in the rocks beneath. The site can not be approached from the east or from the west where the land slopes steeply down to a cliff edge known to be dangerous. From St Maughold's Well no rocks can be seen to the east. It is possible that the feature has been destroyed by coastal erosion since 1870. No information has been obtained locally on the 'chair'.
St Maughold's parish church is of 11th century origin, with 12th to 15th century modifications. The building retains parts of a well-executed Irish Romanesque-style doorway, indicating its erection or rebuilding during that century. Foundations of a building with different orientation underlie the nave, showing that the 11th century church was not the first on the site. Parts of the walls are 12th century with some 13th and 14th century and possible 15th century remains.
Maughold parish churchyard now covers an area of about 4 acres, and the whole of the east boundary was protected by a strong rampart which when excavated by Kermode was formed by a dry stone wall, 6 foot wide; over this 'Mr Harrison' remembered that there has been an earthen embankment which sloped outwards to a 'moat' (ditch). Kermode traced this walling to its southeast end where it was met by the southern boundary, consisting of a wall, 3 foot wide and well built of large stones.
Maughold parish church is believed to have been the site of a monastery founded by St Maughold. The existence of the monastery is inferred in Jocelin's 'Life of St Patrick', circa 1185, but this source is without historical foundation and the only reliable evidence is provided by the archaeological finds around Maughold village and churchyard. The collection of early cross-slabs from here, many of which appear to have originated from the churchyard, together with the 11th century foundation of the parish church and the group of associated keeills in the area seem to confirm the existence of an important early Christian monastic settlement from the 7th to the 11th century.
Chibbyr Vaghal or 'St Maughold's Well' is a holy well located on a steep east-facing slope overlooking the sea, 375 metres to the northeast of the parish church.
The feature is scooped out of the hillside and is orientated east-west. It is paved with natural rock outcrop at the base and lined with dry stone walling and slabs. It measures 2.4 metres x 0.9 metres with a depth to the west of 1.3 metres. A small basin, 0.6 x 0.4 metres x 0.2 metres deep, is at the west end of the chamber and is apparently filled by water percolating through the rock. An old path approaches the well from the north west.
This is now a dripping well, the water percolating through the crevices in the rock. A natural basin has been formed by the action of water, which constitutes the holy well. On the north side a rock shelf forms a boundary, while on the south is a large slab, set on edge, with three courses of stone built above it. This rectangular recess is widened at the sea-ward end and retained by earthen banks, about 1.2 metres high x 0.9 metres wide, faced with stones. Until quite recently the well was regularly visited on the first Sunday in August when offerings of small coins and crooked pins were made.
