Did you know that Castleward Fort has another name? It is also called Knock ny Troddan. This means Hill of the Fight. Welcome to Castleward Fort. This ancient site holds secrets of battles and courts.
Castleward Fort sits in the green valley of the Glass river. The Glass river gives its name to a treen and a farm nearby. Castleward is also known as the Sod Castle. This name sounds similar to Castle Ward. Some think the name comes from the Scottish Gaelic word “mod”. This might have been a Manx word too. “Cashtal yn Mhoid” would mean Castle of the Court. Clach a’ Mhoid in Dunkeld, Perthshire, has a similar meaning.
People tell military stories about Castleward Fort. Dr. Oliver wrote about it in 1867. He said Castleward was a Cromwellian fort. Stone cannon-balls were found nearby. Tradition says this fort shot at another fort across the valley. Stone balls were found there too. The other fort was likely in Magher y Caggey. This means Field of the Battle on Ballanard.
The surveyor added a note. He said General Fairfax built Castleward Fort during the Cromwellian era. Other earthworks on the island are linked to this time. Ballachurrey and Peel Hill have similar stories.
At the top of Castleward, trees grow by the road. This spot is locally called The Sod Castle. Castleward Fort is an archaeological monument. It is protected by law. Do not disturb it. It is everyone’s heritage. Removing artifacts without proper recording is an offense. Don’t use metal detectors without permission.
Castleward Fort might have been a timber castle. But this is doubtful. Earthwork remains are visible today. Castleward is on the Ordnance Survey map at grid reference SC37107827. Its latitude is 54.17411 degrees. Its longitude is -4.49729 degrees.
Once, there was a sacred well near Castleward farmyard. It had a pool under a tree. Now, animals use it. The Saddle Stone is near Kirk Braddan. It was said to be a penitent’s seat. People also linked it to fairies. Women supposedly straddled it to help with child-bearing. Waldron called it the Fairies’ Saddle. Fairies used it to ride horses at night.
Castleward Fort connects us to battles, courts, and folklore. Remember its many names and stories. They tell of its rich past on the Isle of Man.