The first Record of St. Oran in the Isle of Man.

Up to the present there has not been seen a written document showing a dedication of a chapel to Saint Oran. This saint was a kinsman of Columba, and worked with him in Iona. Oran's name occurs in the Irish Calendar written about 800 A.D. by Oengus the Culdee. Oran (Irish Odhran, `the pale faced one') was a monk in Iona. He is stated to have been the first monk who died there.

After Columba's death Iona was acknowledged as the head of all the monasteries and churches his mission had established. In the Isle of Man Iona was so regarded and Oran must have been a popular saint here.

We know from records that the great missionary Columba was at one time patron of Kirk Arbory, having ousted the earlier but less known Saint Cairbre. It might reasonably be expected that his friend and co-worker Oran — who was a leading missionary and church founder in the Isles — would also be similarly honoured in the south of the Island.

THE RENTAL OF BALLADOOLE 1N 1743.

The expectation of finding a dedication to Saint Oran has been fulfilled. In one of the documents of the Diocesan Registry in the Manx Museum there is a place-name entered in a document dated 1743 as follows: —

From the Diocesan Registry.

Document No. 52.

1743

A Rental of Balladoole & Close Chiarn held by Mrs. Jane Stevenson Widow & John Stevenson Esre Commencing at Michas 1743 & ending at Michas 1744 vizt

Tenants. Parcels.
Rents.
Mrs Jane Stevenson —
To the 3 foldings Stable Meadow Millfield Houses & Gardens .
24 0 0
Ditto —
To the Quarry folding KILL ORANE & Orchard Meadow...
17 10 5
Wm Bridson —
To the Strand parke .....................
11 10 0
Widow Mollineux —
To Rough Close & long Meadow...
8 0 0
Messrs. Killey & partners —
To Squares Calf Closes & Meadows
6 15 0
Thomas Bridson —
To the Ballabeg
3 5 10
John Kennal & partners —
To the garys Meadows & other Lands held the year before at the same rent
50 0 0
The Revd Mr. Quayle —
The big field in Scarlet
8 10 0
Ditto —
To the little field at Do.
4 6 0
Ditto —
To the Ren & little meadow .
3 7
John Kennel —
To the Knockdaraugh
9 0 0
John Duckan —
To Houses & Croft
2 0 0
Thomas Kinley —
To Ditto .
1 16 0
Thomas Kelley —
To Ditto
1 10 0
Philip Kegg —
To Ditto
11 8
Widow Quattro, Edward Gellin —
To Do & half of Close Traey
1 3 4
Wm Kegg —
To Do & half of Close Traey
14 8
Thomas Quine in the place of Jno. Maddrell —
To House & Croft
1 4 6
Matt Maddrell —
To Ditto
1 5 0
Patt. Kennal —
To House & Croft
3 0 0
Henry Quayle —
To Ditto
1 6 8
Henry Waterson —
To Ditto
2 5 0
Wm Sherlock —
To Ditto
2 0 0
Philip Cottier —
To half of Close Chairn
13 10 0
Thomas Cannel —
Thos Cannel 1/4 of Ditto
6 5 0
John Kinread —
To another Quarter
6 15 0
Total Rents of Balladoole & Close Chairn
191 11 1
Coll Stevenson's moiety thereof...
95 15 6
Annual Outgoings of sd Estates paid by Mrs. Jane Stevenson & Coll Stevenson vizt:
Lords rent of the Lands in KK Malew
4 14 0
Ditto KK Arbory
7 8 6
Portlamorrow Celler Rent...
1 0
Intack at Hinleys
5 0
Coroners fees .
1 8
A Church Cess paid to KK Malew
1 0
KK Arbory prescription .
1 12 3
KK Malew prescription .
10 0
To 5 £ P Ct paid a receiver
9 11 6
 
24 a 4
Coll. Stevensons moiety of Outgoings
12 2 41

On reference to the 6in. O.S. map of 1869, three Keeills are set down: l, Keeill Vael and burial ground on the little hill to the west of Balladoole House (plot 1670 Arbory O.S. 25in.), probably of the 7th Century, according to Mr. Kermode (Proc. ii, p. 176). 2, Keeill Pharlane, a little over half of a mile to the south of Balladoole House (plot 3042 Malew O.S. 25in.). 3, Site of an unnamed Keeill and burial ground, one-third of a mile south of Balladoole House (plot 3038 Malew O.S. 25in.). This unnamed keeill recorded on the Ordnance Survey map is probably the Keeill orane of the Stevenson document of 1743. It is in the next field to the 'Quarry folding,' at Poyllvaaish (plot 3040). The chapel well is in the hedge alongside the shore path.

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