Hango Hill
Low coastal mound and historic execution site at the head of Castletown Bay, near Ronaldsway.
Hango Hill was also known as Mount Strange, from one of the titles of the Derby family. During the seventeenth century a blockhouse was raised there as part of James Stanley's strengthening of the southern defences. Chaloner's account of the Island described defensive works at several points, including the Point of Ayre, Ballachurry in Andreas, Hango Hill and the harbour of Ronaldsway or Derbyhaven.
The site was also used for executions. The Kirk Malew register records that in 1654 William Kewish and Robert Callow of Kirk Maughold were hanged on the gallows at Hango Hill on 31 August for the murder of a man named Cottiam of the same parish. They were buried in Kirk Malew churchyard, in the way down from the porch.
William Christian of Ronaldsway was executed there on 2 January 1663. The Malew register states that he was shot to death at Hango Hill, died most penitently and courageously, prayed earnestly, made an excellent speech and was buried the following day in the chancel of Kirk Malew.
Hango Hill also formed part of an educational endowment. In 1668 the estates of Ballagilley and Hango Hill were granted to trustees for an academic students' fund. The rents later contributed towards the foundation and support of King William's College at Castletown. Bishop Barrow's bequest referred to a lease valued at £20 a year from Ballagilley and Hango Hill for the maintenance of boys at the proposed academic school.
The gallows survived in local folklore. William Cashen recorded a story that a heavy sea once washed the gallows from Hango Hill and carried them round the west coast to the Niarbyl. Southside fishermen then mocked the westside men with the claim that even the gallows had gone round west to hang the men of Dalby.
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