Ballanorris

John Norris’s homestead. That’s what Ballanorris means. Can you imagine the life of John Norris a Manx farmer in the 16th century? Ballanorris in the parish of Arbory on the Isle of Man. It’s a place steeped in history. It’s part of the old treen of Bemaccan. Bemaccan itself a name hinting at a 14th-century Franciscan friary. The friary dedicated to Saint Francis. It was built around 1373. It was dissolved in 1540 during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Today little remains. Only a chapel now used as a barn. Ballanorris thrived on agriculture for centuries. But times changed. The construction of modern housing estates transformed the village. Many now commute daily to Douglas. Think about the changes Ballanorris has experienced. From a small farming community to a modern village. Imagine John Norris’s surprise if he could see it today. The annual parish festival Laa Columb Killey is a big event. It celebrates the parish’s patron saint Columba. It’s Manx for St Columba’s Day. The festival features traditional Manx dance music and sports competitions. The village even had its own tiny shop and post office. This closed in 2006. It was demolished in 2009. A new two-story building replaced the old one. Ballanorris sits on the A7 road. This connects Ballasalla with Port Erin. The Southern 100 motorcycle road race passes nearby. There’s even a request stop at Ballabeg station on the Isle of Man Railway. A small wooden hut provides shelter for waiting passengers. The village has St Columba’s church and a Methodist chapel. Captain John Quilliam is buried in the churchyard. He was First Lieutenant on HMS Victory at Trafalgar. The Arbory and Rushen Parish Commissioners govern the area. Ballanorris is a place where history and modern life intertwine. It’s a place rich in stories waiting to be discovered. So take a moment. Breathe in the atmosphere of Ballanorris. Let the past come alive.