[From Yn Lioar Manninagh Vol 3 pp433/4]

TREEN CHAPELS IN MAROWN.

Mr. A. W. MOORE, F.R.H.S., &c.

I think that the following notes upon the Treen Chapels in the parish of Marown, made by the late Paul Bridson, in 1861, may be of interest as showing the condition of these chapels at that time—

Ballahutchin.—On the estate of that name near the highroad between Douglas and Peel, are the remains of a chapel 15 feet by 12 feet, which are situated on a slightly elevated circular mound lying due east and west. There is just enough of the walls left to show the dimensions of the chapel. It is known in the neighbourhood as the Druid’s Chapel.

Keeill Vreshey.—"Bridget’s Chapel" is on the estate of Ball a-yeminey, being situate on the usual circular enclosure, the walls of which are made of rubble and earth, and are four feet above the adjacent ground, which is called " Garey Keeill Vreeshey." The walls, about four feet high, are made entirely of stone ; and are laid on one another without the aid of mortar. On the south side, parallel to the entrance door, there has been an aperture or a window.

Ballaqueeney [sic Ballaquinney] is situated in a quadrangular plantation of fir trees on the property of that name. It is surrounded by an enclosure of an irregular oval form, measuring about 46 yards from north to south, and 28 yards from east to west, with entrances on the north and east sides. This enclosure is elevated from three to four feet above the level of the plateau on which it stands. The chapel is in the usual form of a parallelogram, being 16 feet long by 10 broad, and lies due east and west. The walls, four feet high by three feet thick, are formed of rubble stones and earth.

St. Lingan is on the estate of Ballingan, on the left hand side of the cross-road between Marown and Castletown beyond Ballaqueeney-beg. It is 15 feet by 12 feet, and is built of rubble stone. Its walls are about four feet high. It lies due east and west, and is situate in an irregular oval enclosure planted with young trees, measuring 36 yards from north to south, and 21 yards from east to west. In the north-east angle of the chapel there is a font about 13 inches by 10½ inches. At the west end there is an aperture like a window. The entrance is on the south-east.

Ballafreer.—This chapel is on the property of that name. It measures 21 feet by 6 feet, and lies south-east and north-west. The entrance is on the west side. Near the south-east end lies a hollow stone shaped somewhat like a font. It is said that, on one occasion, when St. Patrick and St. German were passing over this place, a briar tore St. Patrick’s foot, whereupon the saint anathematised the place, forbidding it to produce any kind of grain, but only briars and thorns. This story, however, gives so bad an idea of St. Patrick’s temper that we cannot suppose it to be true. In former times the Vicar of Marown read prayers in this chapel on Ascension Day.