[From Proc IoMNHAS vol 1]

EXCURSION TO KIRK BRADDAN.

On the 20th July, there was an excursion to Braddan Church but the heavy rain played havoc with the attendance, and spoiled the pleasure of the affair, to some extent. Those who took part were Deemster Callow (President), Mr. P. M. C. Kermode (hon. secretary), Mr. J. C. Crellin, C.P., Mr. G. Patterson, Mr. J. McMillan, and Mr. George Drinkwater, J.P., who met the visitors at the Railway Station and afterwards entertained them to tea at Kirby. The main object of the excursion was to inspect the remains of the ancient encampment in the plantations to the north and west of the old churchyard.

Having examined the plan as shewn on the Ordnance Survey (25 in. scale), members ascertained that there was very little change, so far as the embankments and rows of great stones were concerned.

Beginning at the small triangular plantation adjoining the churchyard on the north, they could trace the " avenues" running parallel to the highroad to Peel, and terminating in a circle about 75 feet in diameter. This consisted of an earthen bank on the west, and of large detached stones on the east. From near the northern end of the circle a bank, which is now first to be seen at a point where it has been cut through by the Kewaigue road, runs westward and forms the " irregular line of wall (sic,) about 70 yards in length opposite the churchyard, which turns at both ends southward at sharp angles," as recorded by Oswald, Manx Soc., Vol. V., p. 5 [sic ?95] On the north-west this bank is faced by large stones on end, close together. It crosses the farm road into the Kirby grounds, and shortly afterwards curves northwards. For nearly its whole length, from east to west, another bank runs almost parallel to this at a varying distance of about 25 to 50 feet. As now seen, this would appear to form the southern and eastern boundaries of the camp. From the north-east corner of the plantation, about 260 yards up the farm road, another main embankment runs westerly, with a sweeping curve southward, and now terminates near the north-west corner of the plantation, having a total length of about 184 yards. Between these two main embankments are several running irregularly in different directions, but evidently designed with definite purpose and constructed at considerable labour. Throughout the whole space are scattered a great number of large stones, many of which are set in lines running at different angles. One of these runs northwards from an elliptic space near the west end, and, passing through the present fence of this plantation, appears in the adjoining field, " which," says Oswald, "bore the name of a well in it called Chibbyr Niglus." The stones here to be seen are evidently those referred to by him as the " remains of a carnane" close to the boundary, comprising some erect stones and an immense one recum-bent, measuring 7 ft. 6 in. long by about 4 ft. broad, and having on its upper flat surface a peculiar looking excavation or trough upwards of 2 ft. long and 18 in. wide. Unfortunately this "immense" stone had since the time of the Survey (about 1864) been blasted, but enough remains to identify it.

Dr. Oswald, describing these earthworks (Manx Soc. Vol. V. p. 5), mentions " an irregular line of wall, about 70 yards in length, opposite the churchyard, which turns at both ends southward at sharp angles so as to surround Kirk Braddan and its burial yard ; the western or outside front of this wall is faced with tall stones from four to six feet high, all on end close together, so as to form a parapet throughout the whole 70 yards which protects a covered way behind it, fourteen feet wide, and two or three feet high above the area enclosed on the east. Outside of this redoubt, on the east, there are remains of a wide ditch in which there is a run of water; and at the western end, the wall is continued southward till it is bisected by the highroad, south of which it has been almost obliterated by the levelling and fencing of the burial yard and of Kirby grounds, but traces of it can be followed on the east of the church. On the declivity westward of the camp, traces of numerous ruined foundations and immense stones present them-selves throughout the woods, and in the field beyond there is a spring of water called the Chibbyr Niglus, about loo yards from the wood, which gives name to the field ; also the remains of a carnane close to the boundary, comprising some erect stones, and an immense one recumbent measuring 7 ft. 6 in. long by about 4 ft. broad, and having on its upper flat surface a peculiar looking excavation or trough, upwards of 2 ft. long and 18 in. wide."

In Dr. Oliver's Monumenta (Manx Society, Vol. IV. App.), the following note appears :-

Braddan alignments consists of large stones, mounds, and irregular excavations, more or less marked, and covered by quantities of debris Immediately within the east boundary of this field, and firmly embedded in the ground, lies a large block of stone, 4 ft. by 7½ ft,, hollowed at the top like a font.

Inner circle bisected by Kewaigue road.

West vallum and ditch still remain, with stones that formed margin of inner enclosure.

Avenue edged with stones leads fron south-west into ditch.

[Meeting record omitted]