Items

Burnt Mill
Modern millpond. 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 millpond is unknown, although it must have been fed from what is now named Summerhill Glen. Summerhill Glen was later the site of a waterworks operated by Douglas Corporation, and the arrangements for water management present in the glen today reflect this later development. The grid reference is placed within the lower part of the glen, which appears the most likely and practical location for the dam mentioned in the early 19th century newspapers.
Burroo Ned Cup-marked Stone
An outcrop of bedrock at SC17626642 bears a number of approximately circular depressions. They have an average diameter of 70mm, an average depth of 30mm and cover an area 0.5m across. Their date and purpose is unknown.
Burroo Ned Hut Circle
At SC17676644 lies a sub-circular feature, possibly representing a roundhouse. The structure is obscured by vegetation, but a scooped out interior measuring approximately 3m in diameter is visible. The walls are 2m wide, 0.3m externally and 0.4m inside. Stone has been observed in the wall but none is presently visible.
Burroo Ned Hut Circle
A second, larger roundhouse lies at SC17656643. It has an internal diameter of 5.5m, with 2m thick walls. Again the interior is lower, such that the walls stand 0.5m high internally an 0.2m outside.
Burroo Ned Long House
A third structure lies at SC17636642. It is apparent as two unconnected curved banks, which have a strong stone content. The surviving lengths are 10m and 12m respectively and the walls stand 0.3m high and 2m wide. The curved walls suggest a classic longhouse-type structure. It is possible that Burroo Ned was used as a look-out during the Norse and medieval period, as part of a watch-and-ward system of coastal defence, and the building may have been constructed for shelter for the militia undertaking these duties.
Burroo Ned Promontory Fort
Defended promontory. This distinctive site is unlike other promontory forts found elsewhere around the Island. While the site makes use of precipitous cliffs to the seaward side there are no gullies or re-entrants to shorten its artificial defences to the landward. The protection of the unusually large enclosure relies on a weak and much denuded bank with an average width of 5m, an internal height of less than 1m and an external height of 1.5m, and chiefly on the deliberate positioning of this bank on the crest of the ridge that crosses the headland from north-east to south-west. No original entrance has been detected. The footings of two sub-circular and one sub-rectangular structure are apparent within the enclosure. Several areas of exposed bedrock are pockmarked with numerous small artificial hollows, the purpose of which is not certain. They have been seen as cup-marks, but may have a more practical use as shallow footings for signal posts or sea-marks.
Burroo Promontory Fort
This has been identified as the site of a possible promontory fort.  A possible rampart, has been described, with a built-up entrance to the west.  It has been speculated that it may be of both Iron Age and Early Medieval date. Across this neck of the promontory is a linear rock outcrop with evidence of the artificial infilling of some gaps, one of which is up to 30 metres long, with an inner height of 2.0 metres. A second gap was 1.5 metres wide, with an inner height of 0.6 metres, and may originally have served as an entrance point.  From the rock outcrop the land slopes steeply down to the north, falling away by some 5.0 metres.  There is no visible trace of an outer ditch, any internal structure or a definite entrance. The site cannot be compared to any other known examples on the island except for its size, which is comparable to the Early Medieval forts.
Bushell's House, Calf of Man
SC 15236594 Bushell's House is a ruined structure which was thought to stand on the site of an early medieval keeill or chapel and a burial ground. The ruins appear to be those of a small, supposedly cruciform building which is said to have been used by the 17th century adventurer and prospector Thomas Bushell, who lived in self-imposed exile on the Calf of Man during the period 1626-9. The site was examined by Bruce and Neely in September 1931, who reported that the remains were not compatible with any known type of keeill and that there was no definite proof that they represented Bushell's residence. They recorded the remains as consisting of the lowest courses of a narrow rectangular building, 55 feet long aligned due north and south. On the east side, an opening, 2 feet wide, appeared to be an original entrance, while on the same side a projecting wing formed a 'transept' to the main structure; there were indications of a counterpart to this wing on the west side. The foundation of a cross-wall was faintly visible and it is possible that the entire T-shaped area with its thinner walling may have been of a different date to the rest of the structure. There were also differences in construction between the east and west sides of the building. The west side was practically only a stone revetting to the earth bank beyond which the free standing east wall consisted of a number of large upright slabs connected by dry-walling laid in roughly horizontal courses. The east wall of the main building north of the modern building is 0.6 metres wide and is faced on the east side with upright stone slabs about 0.4 metres high. The site may have been robbed of stone by the Ordnance Survey in 1866-68 to build an adjacent marker cairn. A small, ruined, rectangular hut has been built in the north-east angle of the projecting wing. It is situated on the highest and most exposed part of the island and seems more likely to be a look-out post than a normal dwelling. There was no visible trace of a burial ground.
Bwoaillee Wyllin, Glen Mona Corn Mill
The site of a post-medieval corn mill.
Cabbal Dreem Ruy
Medieval chapel and burial ground. The name means the 'chapel of the red ridge'. The structure is orientated WNW-ESE. In 1885 the chapel was described as measuring 5.8 by 3.1m internally, with walls 1.8m high, and a doorway towards the east end of the 'south' wall. In the 1920s and 1930s the structure was reduced almost to foundation level and rebuilt. Its dry stone walls are now 1.3m high internally, 0.5m externally and are 1m thick. There is an entrance 0.5m wide in the SW wall but no visible trace of an altar. A mound once observed surrounding the chapel is now difficult to discern on the ground, unless represented by the line of the present boundary fence which was erected in 1937, but a cropmark suggesting an oval enclosure was apparent on aerial photography current in 2009. Finds include Edward I silver coins recovered from near the base of a wall, a hollowed boulder, a perforated slate disc, and a perforated slate slab.
Cabbal Dreem Ruy
The chapel is orientated WNW-ESE. In 1885 it was described as measuring 5.8 by 3.1m internally, with walls 1.8m high, and a doorway towards the east end of the 'south' wall. In the 1920s and 1930s the structure was reduced almost to foundation level and rebuilt. Its dry stone walls are now 1.3m high internally, 0.5m externally and are 1m thick. There is an entrance 0.5m wide in the SW wall but no visible trace of an altar. Finds include Edward I silver coins recovered from near the base of a wall, a hollowed boulder, a perforated slate disc, and a perforated slate slab.
Cabbal Dreem Ruy
Medieval burial ground. A mound once observed surrounding the chapel is now difficult to discern on the ground, unless represented by the line of the present boundary fence which was erected in 1937. Nevertheless, a cropmark suggesting an oval enclosure was apparent on aerial photography current in 2009, and tradition holds that the enclosure was once defined by boulders. Such substantial efforts would tend to imply that the enclosure was once used for burial.
Cabbal Dreem Ruy, Ballayelse Flint Site
The findspot of a flint scraper and waste flint from "keeill field".
Cabbal Druiaght
Medieval chapel and burial ground. The chapel is orientated east-west, and measures internally 4 by 2.5m, with walls standing 0.8m high and 1.1m thick, capped with turf. It was investigated by the Manx Archaeological Survey in 1908, and was found to have a paved floor, with a slightly raised aisle leading from the door in the west gable to the altar against the east. Only slight remains of the altar survive, 1.2m wide by 0.75m deep, standing just 0.2m high. The building is surrounded by a bank of collapsed masonry about 1m wide. The chapel is railed off and the immediately surrounding area is slightly raised. The Survey recorded the surrounding enclosure as being 24m in diameter, with an enclosure boundary 2-3m wide, and noted the discovery of graves about 14m from the north-west corner of the chapel under the farm lane. The enclosure is today far less distinct. Traces of burial were noted inside the chapel.
Cabbal Druiaght
Medieval chapel. The chapel is orientated east-west, and measures internally 4 by 2.5m, with walls standing 0.8m high and 1.1m thick, capped with turf. It was investigated by the Manx Archaeological Survey in 1908, and was found to have a paved floor, with a slightly raised aisle leading from the door in the west gable to the altar against the east. Only slight remains of the altar survive, 1.2m wide by 0.75m deep, standing just 0.2m high. The building is surrounded by a bank of collapsed masonry about 1m wide.
Cabbal Druiaght Burial Ground, Glenlough
Medieval burial ground. The site was investigated by the Manx Archaeological Survey in 1908. The area immediately surrounding the chapel is slightly raised. The Survey recorded the surrounding enclosure as being 24m in diameter, with an enclosure boundary 2-3m wide, and noted the discovery of graves about 14m from the north-west corner of the chapel under the farm lane. The enclosure is today far less distinct. Traces of burial were noted inside the chapel.
Cabbal ny Cooilley
The site of an early medieval keeill or chapel which is thought to have been in use between circa AD500 and circa AD1000.  The site is shown on the 1870 1:2500 scale Ordnance Survey map.  The foundations of the keeill have been measured at 9.2 metres by 3.6 metres internally. An entrance is in the west but no trace of an altar was found. In the southeast corner is a hole 1.0 metre deep in which is an upright stone pillar 0.8 metres high by 0.4 metres by 0.2 metres.   The keeill building stood within a raised enclosure which had an external diameter of some 23 metres. The remains of this chapel with its burial ground enclosure stand an average of 1.0 metre above the surrounding ground.  Outside the enclosure is a distinct ring, circa 27 metres in diameter and slightly raised. Kermode was refused permission to excavate here in 1910-11. A fragment of a granite saddle quern has been found at the base of the keeill mound.
Cabbal ny Guilagh
'Cabbal ny Guilcagh' is mentioned by Radcliffe indicating a possible keeill on the Guilcagh estate, but all history of it is lost.
Cabbal Pheric Cross
A carved stone cross. Investigation of the keeill in 1910 by the Manx Archaeological Survey recovered a simple cross-incised slab inside the chapel and just to the north of the doorway through the west gable. See also Manx Cross 12.
Cabbal Pheric Cross Slab (Manx Cross 12)
This small, narrow slab was found at Cabbal Keeill Pheric (IOMHER 0856.00) in 1910 during excavations by the Manx Archaeological Survey. It bears a simple cross incised at the head of one face. Its upper and lower limbs are much longer than its arms.
Cabbal Pherick, Spooyt Vane
Medieval chapel and burial ground. The keeill is orientated ENE-WSW, and measures internally 7 by 4m. The walls are between just 0.7 and 1.2m thick and survive to a height of up to 1m. The Manx Archaeological Survey in 1910 found that the north wall showed a distinct outside batter, whilst collapsed masonry was piled against the west gable. The doorway is located in the west gable, and was found to have both internal and external splays. Inside the chapel just to the north of the doorway a simple cross-incised slab was recovered (Manx Cross 012). Coursed masonry in the east gable appeared preparatory to the placement of a window cill but the stone itself has been robbed. Internally, paving only survived near the altar at the east end. Adjacent, the footings of a 2.3m wide altar, tapering to 1.6m towards the front also survived, but the larger slabs with which it was faced had been robbed. Around the chapel a rather irregular oval enclosure defined by an earthwork bank is apparent, measuring about 27 by 24m. Outside, on the south-west side, a small rectangular building is attached to the embankment, and is thought to represent a cell for the priest. Although the enclosure was tested for burials, the Survey found none, having been frustrated by tree roots.
Cabbal Pherick, Spooyt Vane
Medieval chapel. The keeill is orientated ENE-WSW, and measures internally 7 by 4m. The walls are between just 0.7 and 1.2m thick and survive to a height of up to 1m. The Manx Archaeological Survey in 1910 found that the north wall showed a distinct outside batter, whilst collapsed masonry was piled against the west gable. The doorway is located in the west gable, and was found to have both internal and external splays. Coursed masonry in the east gable appeared preparatory to the placement of a window cill but the stone itself has been robbed. Internally, paving only survived near the altar at the east end. Adjacent, the footings of a 2.3m wide altar, tapering to 1.6m towards the front also survived, but the larger slabs with which it was faced had been robbed.
Cabbal Pherick, Spooyt Vane
Medieval burial ground. The chapel is enclosed within a rather irregular oval enclosure defined by an earthwork bank, measuring about 27 by 24m. Outside, on the south-west, lies a priest's cell. Although the enclosure was tested for burials, the Manx Archaeological Survey found none in 1910, having been frustrated by tree roots. The presence of the embanked enclosure, together with the recovery of a stone gravemarker, implies that burials are nevertheless likely.
Cabbal Pherick, Spooyt Vane
Medieval priest's cell. On the south-west side of the rather irregular oval enclosure surrounding the chapel lies a small rectangular building, attached to the outside of the embankment. It is thought to be a priest's cell.
Cabbal Pherick, Spooyt Vane
Medieval carved stone cross. Investigation of the keeill in 1910 by the Manx Archaeological Survey recovered a simple cross-incised slab inside the chapel and just to the north of the doorway through the west gable. The stone is numbered as Manx Cross 012.