Standing stone

Deep within the Isle of Man, south of a stone circle known as Lhiack ny virragh, lies a place shrouded in mystery: the Standing stone of Crosh Molley Mooar. This “great deceiving cross,” as its Manx name translates, whispers tales of vanished crowds and otherworldly encounters. One clear night, a man journeyed from Port Erin toward Cregneish. As he neared the Standing stone at Crosh Molley Mooar, he heard laughter and revelry coming from nearby Poyll Vill, the “honey pool.” Drawing closer, he witnessed a spectacle of finely dressed gentlemen and ladies dancing in rings, playing games, and filling the air with joyous shouts. They seemed oblivious to his presence, and he continued on his way, the sounds of their merriment fading as he reached Cregneish. Another tale tells of a Mull man returning home from Port Erin. Upon reaching Crosh Molley Mooar, a throng of beings surrounded him and forced him to accompany them. They traveled to Poyll Vill where a commanding figure confronted the group, demanding they release the man. He was then set free, fleeing with the wind at his back. Many locals claimed similar experiences at the Standing stone, only to find the mysterious crowds vanished upon their arrival. This led to the belief that the Standing stone’s name, Crosh Molley Mooar, derived from these deceiving apparitions. Even the path itself seemed to shift and deceive. Travelers reported losing their way in inexplicable darkness, climbing phantom precipices, and stumbling into knee-deep pools, only to find themselves back where they started. One man recounted a moonlit night where the road to Crosh Molley Mooar appeared clear, yet he walked for a long time without reaching it, eventually finding himself back at his starting point. He tried again and passed the Standing stone without difficulty. These strange occurrences fueled the Standing stone’s reputation as a place of magic and illusion, a place where the veil between worlds seemed thin. The Standing stone of Crosh Molley Mooar stands as a testament to these enigmatic tales. It serves as a reminder of a time when the boundaries between the mundane and the magical blurred, leaving an enduring legacy of mystery in the heart of the Isle of Man.