High on a conspicuous mound, in the middle of a hedge, stands Ballahimmin Keeill. This ancient site tells tales of early Christianity on the Isle of Man. It whispers secrets of Bronze Age burials.
Ballahimmin Keeill is located on the land of Ballahimmin Equestrian Centre. It is a unique site where a hedge has been built into it on both sides. Approaching it, you will see a large mound. This mound measures almost 50 feet across in places.
The field to one side is known as “little chapel field”. The field on the other side is called “the big chapel field”. These names hint at the keeill’s historical significance.
The existing mound is between six and eight feet high. Only one area of stonework is visible on the rear side of Ballahimmin Keeill.
Very little is known about this small chapel. The Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society planned a trip in 1959. The weather prevented it.
The large mound suggests a substantial structure underneath. Yet, a survey revealed only the foundations remained. These foundations were three to four feet high. They consisted of local stones and much white quartz. The dimensions were about 15 feet by nine feet. Walls were very wide, five feet in places. An earthen bank faced with single stones supported the building. This likely strengthened it for a thatched roof. Two ‘Bwhid Suggane’ were found. These items fastened the ropes holding down thatch. They are the only ones found in a keeill excavation.
The doorway and outer edge were rounded. They were made entirely of glittering white quartz. This would have made Ballahimmin Keeill stand out. It would have been visible from a distance. The doorway was in the west wall. However, the jamb and sill stones were gone. Several paving stones remained. There was an unusual feature.
At the northwest corner, there seemed to be another doorway. The skirting of upright stones ended two feet from the corner. Clearing the foundations revealed the wall ended there. Only two courses of stones remained. They formed a face ending the wall. Between this and the corner were stones. They appeared to be a pavement. This paved path sloped with steps 18 inches wide for eight feet. Quartz boulders marked the sides. This path ended two feet above the field level. The fence was built up against it.
The survey paints a picture of a prominent building. It would have stood out in this landscape. Some large slabs formed part of the altar. They seemed to have been moved.
Excavating the mound revealed Bronze Age burials beneath Ballahimmin Keeill. This suggests an earlier sacred site. It was chosen later for a Christian church. A large stone remained from the earlier period. The white quartz in the structure likely came from the Bronze Age tumulus. Several graves were found nearby.
Ballahimmin Keeill tells stories of people from the Bronze Age and earlier. It was a sacred site inside a large mound. Now, livestock mainly visit it.
These secrets remain hidden in the landscape. Imagine those early inhabitants. They chose this spot for its spiritual significance. Today, Ballahimmin Keeill stands as a testament to their beliefs. It also stands as a testament to their enduring connection to this land.