Grenaby Village, Malew 1868

(extract from O/S sheet XVI.3)

Gill in his first ManxScrapBook describes it thus "Grenaby, where the valley narrows and squeezes its river under Grenaby Bridge into the upper part of Silverburn Glen. Just below here comes in the Awin Reash from the Moainey Mooar and a brooklet from Ballalonna, and in bygone days Grenaby was thronged with old-fashioned inhabitants, as became a meeting place of many waters."

The following description is taken from Bellanne Stowell's "Manxland ..with an Introductory Sketch of Manx Home Missions" 1863:

But, instead of following the Silverburn in its course to the town we see so clearly defined on the glassy sea, we are arrested by the beauty and singular primitiveness of the little village of Grenaby. Here we make acquaintance with the good-natured-looking miller. He talks to us of the young parson, and the school, and the schoolmaster; "and need enough there 's for him," (the parson,) he says, " for the people are terrible for not going to church." The busy corn-mill is impelled by no other force than the impetuous little stream that foams over the queer black wheel, the whole forming an object picturesque and useful, for the mill not only supplies the neighbourhood with flour and meal, but employs many of the villagers or people of the hamlet, for so should we call the few houses clustered at the foot of the hill. But as we ascend we see the smoke of many a fire kindled for the twelve o'clock dinner rise out of the hollow in which a cottage is hid; and many a stack-yard, prominent where the farmhouse is scarcely seen, informs you that Grenaby has a considerable population scattered over Mount Barrule.

Cummings noted in 1848: Descending to Grenaby we come upon a well-wooded valley, through which the Silverburn has cut its way, and the old mill and the contiguous bridge form nice subjects for the sketch-book. However by 1891 Quine had included it as an example of a mill falling into disrepair. The painting would appear to be done from the north bank of the mill dam - the artitist was known for his attempt to accurately portray scenes.

Grenaby Mill + Joiner's shop (J Lowell Wright, Nov 1886)

(From Manx Home Missions)

Thwaites Directory 1863: The National School at Grenaby, a small neat structure, erected in 1835, and capable of accommodating about 150 hearers, is also used as a Chapel-of-Ease. The Rev. Thomas H. Gill, B.A, is the chaplain.

Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received The Editor © F.Coakley , 2012