Ballaquine Keeill

Did St. Fingan ever imagine his Ballaquine Keeill nestled within a “Faerie Orchard”? Ballaquine Keeill, a small chapel cradled by larch trees, whispers tales of Manx history. This tranquil spot, just off the Glen Darragh Road, exudes an otherworldly charm. It’s a world away from the bustling present. Yet, it stands as a testament to a vibrant past. Around 1908, the Manx Archaeological Survey meticulously documented Ballaquine Keeill. They revealed a structure measuring 16 by 10 feet. Its walls, approximately four feet thick, still bore traces of an embankment. The western doorway, flanked by three upright jambs on each side, echoes the keeill’s ancient origins. A drawing from 1866 in “Archaeologia Cambrensis” depicts this entrance, unchanged by time. Inside, the remnants of windows whisper of sunlight filtering through. The sill stone from the east window remains, positioned 30 inches above the original floor. At the east end, the altar base, slightly elevated above the paved floor, features two visible upright pillars. Unlike other keeills, Ballaquine Keeill’s altar is outlined with small stones, not a single slab. Two broken cross slabs, integrated into the altar, add a layer of mystery. The keeill sits within an enclosure, artificially raised and bordered by an embankment of earth and stones. This embankment reaches a height of five to six feet at the east end. It is further enhanced by an outer ditch. Imagine a stream, now diverted, once flowing down to the western embankment, dividing to encircle the entire site. Semi-circular hollows, marked by stones against the inner embankment, suggest the presence of small cells. This unique feature, resembling a “small fortified position,” sets Ballaquine Keeill apart from its neighbor, Keeill Lingan. Graves and numerous white quartz pebbles, common in keeill sites, further enrich the story of this ancient sanctuary. Ballaquine Keeill remains remarkably preserved. Its thick walls and enduring features offer a tangible connection to the Isle of Man’s rich spiritual heritage.