Extract from George Buchanan's 16th-century History of Scotland (A.D. 1577), describing the Isle of Man as part of the Western Isles (Æbudæ), its etymology, geography, and historical nomenclature. Includes editor's note on Hector Boethius's confusion of Man with Anglesey. Relevant as foundational historical and geographical context for understanding Man's position between Ireland, Scotland, and England.
Extract from George Buchanan's 16th-century History of Scotland describing the Isle of Man as one of the Western Isles (Æbudæ), with etymological notes on its names (Eubonia, Mevania, Manin) and basic geographical data (24 miles long, 8 broad). Establishes early modern geographic and linguistic understanding of Man's position relative to Ireland, Scotland, and England.
Bonnag is the traditional Manx soda bread — no yeast, quick to make, and the smell of it fills the kitchen the way it filled Manx farmhouses for centuries.
Make a batch of bonnag together, and while it bakes, hear the story of the Buggane of St Trinian’s — the monster who tore the roof off the church every time it was built.
Timothy the tailor took on the challenge, stitching a pair of breeches while the buggane rose from the ground in front of him. “Do you see my great head, large eyes, and long teeth?” the buggane demanded. Timothy kept stitching. He finished the last stitch and leapt to consecrated ground just in time. The church remains roofless to this day.
Once your bonnag is done, use the offcuts to make buggane biscuits — shape them with great heads, large eyes, and long teeth.
This promontory fort was known as Castal y Vuggane Mooar. It is located on the coast about 550 metres northwest of Ballanayre. Only a small part of this fort as shown on the 1869 1:2500 scale Ordnance Survey map now remains. The remainder has been destroyed by coast erosion and since 1869 a little more has been eroded away. At present there is evidence of cracking and slipping in the west and northwest.
The grass covered fort, in which there is no visible trace of a dwelling, takes advantage of the natural defences supplied by precipitous cliffs to the west, north and northwest and steep-sided stream courses to the northeast and southwest leaving a narrow neck of land between these two latter features. Across this narrow neck a bank 1.5 m upper width, 1.3 maximum internal height and 3.0 m maximum external height has been constructed. A general lowering of the bank and absence of inner slopes creates a possible 2.5 m wide entrance. The ground to the southwest of the bank's southern end as shown on the 1869 map has slipped considerably. There may have an entrance at this point. There is no visible trace of an outer ditch but if there had been one it would probably have been ploughed out as the plough has been up to the foot of the bank.
Over 200 keeills once scattered across the Isle of Man — tiny stone chapels, about 5 metres by 3 metres, with walls that were “unnecessarily massive for such comparatively small enclosures.” One door. One window. An altar against the eastern wall. Almost always a spring or stream nearby.
They were built by individual holy men who chose to live among the people and serve local families. One keeill per treen was the general pattern.
Find a patch of ground and build your own keeill to scale using stones, sticks, or whatever you can find. Measure out 5m × 3m first — you’ll be surprised how small it is.
Put your door on the west side. Your altar goes against the east wall. Is there water nearby? The holy men always built near water.
Before the Norse brought their longships, the people of the Irish Sea world travelled in curraghs — light boats made from a wooden frame covered in hide. Saint Maughold is said to have arrived at the island in a coracle.
This project guides you through building a small-scale model curragh from willow withies (or garden canes) and canvas or heavy fabric. It won’t cross the Irish Sea, but it should float.
Test it in a stream, a pond, or the bath. If it sinks, you’ve learned something about naval architecture. If it floats, you’ve built something connected to three thousand years of island history.
A papal bull issued by Pope Calistus III on 11 July 1458, appointing Thomas as bishop of Sodor and establishing the Church of Sodor as suffragan to the Church of York. The document includes both the English translation and original Latin text, with a memorandum recording its exhibition at London on 18 February 1458. This foundational ecclesiastical document is relevant to understanding the constitutional and religious framework of the Isle of Man before the Revestment.
Papal bull issued by Pope Calistus III in 1458 establishing the Church of Sodor (Isle of Man) as suffragan to the Archbishop of York. The document records the appointment of Thomas as Bishop of Sodor following the death of Thomas Burton, and the formal ecclesiastical union. Provides crucial evidence of the Church's constitutional relationship to York and the island's ecclesiastical governance in the pre-Revestment period.
A papal bull issued by Pope Celestine III in 1194 confirming Furness Abbey's ecclesiastical rights and liberties in the churches of Dalton and Ursewie, and protecting the monastery's independence from episcopal interference. The document references the authority granted by the Kings of the Isles (Olaws and Godred) and provides important medieval evidence of Isle of Man's ecclesiastical governance structure and Furness Abbey's significant holdings there.
Papal bull from Pope Celestine III (dated 10 June 1194) confirming to Furness Abbey the churches of Dalton and Ursewie in the Isle of Man, along with their chapels, tithes, and ecclesiastical liberties. The bull protects the abbey from episcopal interference and confirms rights previously granted by Manx kings Olaf and Godred. Relevant to understanding pre-Revestment Manx sovereignty, ecclesiastical jurisdiction, and the Abbey's historical claims on the island.
A papal bull issued by Pope Eugenius III in 1153 confirming the lands and possessions of Furness Abbey in Lancashire and the Isle of Man. The document lists specific grants from various donors including Earl Stephen, Robert Bovill, and King Olav of the Isles. Notable for its detailed record of Manx place-names and ecclesiastical holdings in the mid-twelfth century, providing context for pre-Revestment Manx territoriality and feudal relationships.
A papal bull from Pope Eugenius III (1153) granting protection and confirming possessions of Furness Abbey, including extensive lands in the Isle of Man granted by King Olaf of the Isles. The document lists specific Manx villages and lands (Carneclet, Thorefil, Great Melan, St. Melii, Narwe, Stainredale, St. Corebric, Fragerwi) and confirms tax exemptions. Presented in both English translation and original Latin, with editorial notes. Relevant to understanding medieval Manx ecclesiastical holdings, early feudal relationships, and pre-Revestment territorial claims.
A papal bull from Pope Urban III (1186) confirming Furness Abbey's possessions, liberties, and immunities granted by English kings including Henry II and the kings of the Isles (Olave and Godred). The document is relevant to understanding the medieval ecclesiastical and political structure of the Isle of Man, particularly the relationship between the Isles and the English Crown, and provides context for the sovereignty issues that would culminate in the 1765 Revestment.
Prehistoric flint scatter.
A single worked prehistoric flint was recovered from 'Bullycowell' by CH Cowley.
No further details concerning the discovery were recorded and the grid reference relates to the farmstead for indicative purposes only.
The antiquary Charles Harry Cowley was an avid collector of worked flint and coarse stone artefacts revealed by agricultural activity, mainly on farms located around Peel, and occasionally from further afield. He was active from 1900 until 1943. His entire collection of artefacts, together with a daybook cataloguing his discoveries, was later donated to Manx National Heritage.
The conjectured site of a stone circle. When surveyed, it was found that the only stones at this spot are small ones built into the field bank. They were examined but none fitting the description of a part of a stone circle were found.
The Manx-medium primary school opened at St John's — within sight of Tynwald Hill. Children learning in the language that was supposed to have died, at the centre of the Island's constitutional life. The survival of Manx identity is the people's achievement, not the Crown's.
Second World War. Slate mounted on stone obelisk.
Slate mounted below memorial inscribed with following information: Architect - Anthony Kellett. Construction - Stuart Clague / Edward Kelly. Plaque - David Gregg. Service for the unveiling and dedication of the memorial took place in the Arboretum, St John's on 16 July 1995, in the presence of the National Chairman Sir Bernard Chacksfield, K.B.E., C.B., and Lady Chacksfield. The service was conducted by the Rev. R.E. Cubbon, M.B.E.
Modern watermill.
Early 19th century newspapers advertise the sale of land on which a ruined mill was standing 'at the further end of the sand' (meaning the north end of Douglas Bay); included in the sale are 'also the dam and remaining walls of the said mill'.
From this it is clear that the mill was water-powered. The precise site of the mill and dam are unknown, although the source of power can only have been from what is now named Summerhill Glen.
The grid reference is placed below the cliff line, in line with the stream, which is now culverted for much of its lower course.
Modern watermill.
Early 19th century newspapers advertise the sale of land on which a ruined mill was standing 'at the further end of the sand' (meaning the north end of Douglas Bay); included in the sale are 'also the dam and remaining walls of the said mill'.
From this it is clear that the mill was water-powered. The precise site of the mill and millpond are unknown, although the source of power can only have been from what is now named Summerhill Glen.
The newspaper references (Manks Advertiser, 1812-1814) are confirmed by the will of Robert Heywood dated 1808 which refers to the 'ground of burnt mill near the shore', and for much of the 19th century the adjacent track, now a road, was known as Burnt Mill Hill (now Summerhill).
The grid reference is placed below the cliff line, in line with the stream, which is now culverted for much of its lower course.
