The water of St Patrick's Holy Well was reputed to have curative properties for sore eyes. The well has now disappeared and its site is grassed over. A roadway associated with RAF Jurby was laid near the well and the area was probably drained.
The site of a possible medieval well, shown as St Patrick's Well on the 1869 1:2500 Ordnance Survey map. Its Manx name is Chibbyr Noo Pharick, but it is also known as Chibbyr Sheeant and Chibbyr yn Argid. It is found half way down a steep west-facing slope and at the east end of a quarried out area measuring 11.0 metres northwest to southeast and 4.0 metres east to west. At the base of the rock face is a rectangular recess 0.5 metres wide and 0.9 metres long containing about 0.2 metres depth of clear water which appears to percolate through the rocks. Water also flows into a small grass bottomed pool to the west of this recess.
Shrine.
The structure comprises a rough drystone bench almost 2m long and 0.6m high. Set on top are two upright slabs which bear on one face a simple carved cross (Manx Crosses 6 and 7). It has been suggested that a third broken slab may also have once born a cross. The site is known as St Patrick's Chair, and folklore apparently attached to the site (confusingly a natural feature 2km to the north is known by the same name) states that St Patrick rested here and blessed the local population. There is no evidence that St Patrick ever visited the Isle of Man.
A mid-19th century source states that the structure is of late 18th century origin, and was erected as a hoax. The crosses appear genuine, however, and it seems possible that they originate from a Christian site, perhaps a chapel and burial ground, cleared during the same agricultural improvements which saw the surrounding field boundaries laid out in an unusually regular pattern.
The site of the early medieval St. Patrick's Chapel. It is thought that it was in use between circa AD500 and AD1000. Almost all trace of the chapel and its burial ground were removed by the mid-19th century and the stones used to construct mine buildings. In 1860 it was reported that two large "door pillars" still stood at the southern entrance to the keeill and were the only remaining parts of the structure to survive. One of these stones was reported in 1840 to be inscribed with "ancient lettering" which had subsequently been obliterated. One of these large stones was later built into the wall of Ballakilpheric Methodist Chapel ( SC 22507127) and is a smooth, rounded stone with no markings visible. The second stone is no longer to be found.
The extent of the chapel's burial ground is not known but graves have been discovered over a wide area. Canon E.B. Savage recorded the frequent ploughing up of graves around the keeill site and in the fields to the east of it. In one grave, he writes, there were coins of Edgar which if correct would date the grave to about 970 AD. A lady who lived at Ballakilpheric about 1910 informed Bruce that she remembered seeing slab-lined graves containing human bones being ploughed up near the keeill-site. In March 1964, a burial protected by stone slabs was turned up by the farmer in a field border 140 yards west of the keeill-site. The 'covering slab' was actually a portion of a smoothly polished slate table-top and another slab bore faint scratchings suggesting two lozenges point to point. These features suggested a recent burial, probably early 19th century. The keeill-site, situated on land long under cultivation, shows no trace of church or burial-ground enclosure but it is just possible from a very low viewpoint to detect a slightly raised area at the top of rising ground.
There are ornate illustrations and three columns of 78 names, listed alphabetically. Names written in red denote death in service, with those in green resulting in permanent disablement. First World War. Illuminated and framed artistically designed vellum.
Unveiled by Deemster R. Farrant on 8 May 1927. Dedicated by the Lord Bishop. Designed by Mr Owen.
List of 49 names, with the following beneath the three name columns: " Cha jean ad gaase shenn / myr ta shin ta faagit gaase shenn." (Translates as "They shall not grow old, as those who are left grow old.") World War Two. Illuminated Roll of Honour in wood/glass frame, decorated with crests of the Three Legs of Man and a Raven at the top, and poppies along side the outer columns of names.
There are 15 names listed alphabetically from the First World War, and 3 from the Second World War. White marble plaque with black lettering, and gold lettering for entries from World War II.
Unveiled on 10 August 1924, by J.L. Goldie-Taubman J.P., M.L.C. Dedicated by the Archdeacon. Designed by Mr Royston of Douglas.
Three separate wooden-framed parchments. There are two columns totalling 34 names listed in alphabetical order.
There are two columns totalling 37 names listed in alphabetical order.
Inscription in four parts, first reads as follows: " To the glory of God and in grateful memory / of the men of this district who gave their lives / in the First World War 1914-1918." 33 names listed in three columns. "To the glory of God and in grateful memory / of the men of this district who laid down their lives / in the Second World War 1939-1945." 37 names listed in three columns. "Fusilier M.J. Sampson / 22nd November 1975, / aged 20. Killed in Ulster / in the line of duty." Inscription continues: "This Garden of Remembrance / was opened by Lady Bromet / and dedicated by / the Ven. C. V. Stockwood M. A. / Archdeacon of Mann / on Sunday August 31st / 1947 / The garden was the gift of / the women's section, Onchan branch / of the British Legion." First and Second World Wars, N.I conflict. Four sandstone tablets mounted upon a Manx stone wall.
St Peter's is a late medieval church with 18th and 19th century additions.
A church is believed to have existed on the site from at least the early 1400s, on the basis of a brief reference to a 'Chapell in the Holme ton' (Peel) in a garrison roll document of 1428.
The survival of an opening for a piscina in the chancel suggests that parts of the building at least are of pre-Reformation origin.
The church appears to have been extended as part of Bishop Thomas Wilson's rebuilding programme, presumably in the first quarter of the 18th century. Seating in the church was repaired and re-ordered in 1734 but was already in need of repair in 1758. A west gallery, funded by several well-to-do parishioners, was inserted in 1764. This, and galleries in the north and south transepts, are mentioned in a description written in 1798. The galleries were altered in 1826 as part of major works to the church which also involved the raising of the roof and the coving-in of its underside, the replacement of seating, and the provision of a new pulpit and reading desk.
In 1872, a tower was added at the west end of the church to accommodate a clock which had been presented to the town of Peel by James Kewley Ward, one of its emigrant sons who had found fortune in Canada; he later also built a public library for the town which still bears his name.
The church served the parishes of Patrick and German until 1714, when a new church was completed in Patrick as part of Bishop Wilson's building programme. It then served as the parish church for German until the completion of the new church (now the cathedral) in 1884, though still remained in occasional use until 1893, when the newer church was consecrated.
In 1902 it was converted for use as a mission church and all the pews, and both north and south galleries, were removed.
A fire resulted in the church being deemed unsafe and in late 1958 it was demolished down to its present level, leaving just the cruciform outline, the east chancel gable with its window, and the westerly clock tower.
At the same time, gravestones from the surrounding cemetery were removed as part of the demolition and arranged inside the walls of the church. Some were positioned as ledger stones along the axes of the nave and transepts, and were relaid in 2020 as the culmination of works to regenerate the adjoining market place.
This large slab was found in 1906 having been re-used in a burial close to the church. It bears on one face an unusual double-beaded cross with an extended lower limb forming the cross shaft. The upper limb and arms are compressed and have flat, expanded terminals. Each space between the arms contains a circle, and the whole of the cross head is surrounded by an irregular circular frame.
This slab was found in 1906 re-used as a lintel over the west door of the church. It shows the broken and worn shaft of a cross carved in relief on both sides. It is badly worn and bears no clear trace of any other decoration.
This broken cross shaft was found being used as door lintel in the church and has badly worn carving on both faces. The stone measures 157.5 centimetres x 40.6 centimetres x 7 centimetres thick (Manx Cross No 81).
The Old Church, Marown was visited by an Natural History & Antiquarian Society excursion in September 1912. The leader of the party, the Rev A.E. Clarke (vicar of Marown) 'pointed out the former extension at the East end, and gave an account of the excavations made there a few years ago, when, among other things, a fine cross-slab was brought to light, to judge from the carving it might be the work of the eighth century'. It measures 160 centimetres x 45.7 centimetres x 15.2 centimetres thick (Manx Cross No 50).
St Runns Church stands on the site of an early medieval keeill or chapel and its associated burial ground, thought to have been in use during the period circa AD500 to AD1000. The church is thought to be dedicated to St Runan of Lismore Mochuda.
A lintel grave has been found extending northeastwards across the road. Early cross-slabs (Manx Crosses Nos. 50 & 81) have been found here. They are said to be early, certainly pre-Viking.
A record for the old church at St Runn's, Marown. No record shows the date of this church but it is mentioned in 1193 and the old church was probably built circa 1200. It underwent significant alteration in 1754 and the church appears to have undergone many modifications over time. In 1853 a new parish church was built and the old church was used as a mortuary chapel. It eventually fell into dereliction but was restored in 1959 and is only used for services on special occasions.
St Runns Church stands on the site of an early medieval keeill or chapel and its associated burial ground, thought to have been in use during the period circa AD500 to AD1000. The church is thought to be dedicated to St Runan of Lismore Mochuda.
A lintel grave has been found extending northeastwards across the road. Early cross-slabs (Manx Crosses Nos. 50 & 81) have been found here. They are said to be early, certainly pre-Viking.
The Old Church, Marown was visited by an Natural History & Antiquarian Society excursion in September 1912. The leader of the party, the Rev A.E. Clarke (vicar of Marown) 'pointed out the former extension at the East end, and gave an account of the excavations made there a few years ago, when, among other things, a fine cross-slab was brought to light, to judge from the carving it might be the work of the eighth century'.
The site of St Stephen's Chapel-of-ease, which stands to the south side of the A3 road. It is shown at this location on the 1870 1:2500 scale Ordnance Survey map, when it also housed a school. It remains in use in the early 21st century.
First World War. Plaque made of Scotch green slate stone. Inscription in gold lettering. 4 columns of names listed, in two blocks.
The memorial was unveiled 11 November 1923. It was originally located on the outside west wall of St Thomas's church and was then relocated in order to be incorporated into the Memorial Chapel, north aisle of the church. The memorial was designed by Archibald Knox; the architect was W.T. Quayle and the sculptor was T. Quayle of Douglas.
Information provided by the Isle of Man Government Preservation of War Memorials Committee. Image courtesy of Chris Blyth, Isle of Man Photographic Society.
St Trinian's is a ruined medieval chapel in the parish of Marown, situated near Crosby on the main road between Douglas and Peel. The roofless ruin is associated with a Manx legend involving a buggane, a supernatural creature said to have torn off the roof each time it was rebuilt.
Medieval chapel. The chapel sits within an oval enclosure bordered to the west by a stream. It is rectangular in plan, measuring 23 by 7m. The walls are built from undressed stone in lime mortar. The north wall was reconstructed in 1908 and a number of architectural fragments incorporated into the repaired masonry.
The earliest datable stonework is in dressed granite and probably comes from Foxdale. This includes the doorway in the south wall and two windows and a pillar in the north wall, and all date to the 12th century. The remaining architectural features, formed from red sandstone and located in the gable windows, are 14th century.
The exact date of foundation is unknown, but is thought to have occurred during the reign Olaf I (1103-1153). The earliest reference to a religious site here comes from a charter of Olaf II (1226-1237) reaffirming an earlier grant to the priory of Whithorn, and mentioning the church and a hospital.
Medieval burial ground.
The chapel sits within an oval enclosure. While no graves have been found within the enclosure, the recovery of an early inscribed stone marking a grave in the chancel suggests that a burial ground occupied the site prior to the construction of the chapel.