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History
Kirk Michael Parish church holds the largest collection of Norse crosses
on the Island. The church itself is of Gothic design, commissioned by
Bishop Ward and completed in 1835. The churchyard holds the graves of many
bishops. This would be related to its proximity to Bishopscourt, which lies
just north of Kirk Michael.
Location
On the west side of the island in the village of Kirk Michael.
Map Ref: SC 318 909
By Vehicle:
Take the A3 running from Castletown to Ramsey, the A4 from Peel to Kirk
Michael, or the A1 from Douglas to Peel and then the A4 from Peel to Kirk
Michael.
By Bus:
Take the bus routes no. 5, 5A, or 6. servicing between Douglas, Ramsey
and Peel. Also the no. 10 servicing from Peel to Kirk Michael.
By Railway
The west side of the Island is not serviced by the Railways. Take a vehicle
or bus.
The Site
- Church
- Graveyard
- Stone Crosses
Cross Slab (no. 12)
Slab with plain linear shafted cross. May date from the 6th century.
Found in the Cabbal Keeill Pherie, Ballacarnane.
Cross (no. 94)
At one time a door lintel at Bishopscourt. The decorative design may indicate
Anglican influence. Each face bears an equal limbed cross surrounded by a
circular ring. One of the faces can be traced with borders ending in large
double volutes and plait. The ring is decorated with a loop twist. On the
right, below the circle is a spiral design. There is a crouched dog head figure
elbow on knee and chin supported by his outstretched fingers. Below the
volute is a hound, but the rest is worn away. The other face has a plait
four design at the top and a man on horseback, armed with spear at the bottom.
One edge shows plait of three.
Gaut's Cross Slab (no. 101)
Probably the latest piece carved by Scandinavian sculptor Gaut (around 900AD).
The head
is in the style introduced by Gaut and also the tendril development of the
twist. These became the characteristic designs for Manx art during this
period. To the left of the shaft is a plait of four. The other face bears a
plait of five on the shaft with a twist and ring to to the left and a
linked twist to the right.
The inscription reads: Mail, Brikti, sunr, Athakans, smith, raisti, krus,
thano, fur, salu, sina, sin, bru kuln, Kaut, kirthi, thano, auk ala, I maun.
Meaning - Mael Bridge son of Athankan the smith erected this cross for his
own soul (and that of) his brother's wife. Gaut made this and all in Man.
Cross (no. 102)
A broken slab, showing the lower portion of a cross. On one face there is a
ring chain pattern with a twist form of link. On the other face there is a
twist and ring on the shaft with patterns to the right and the remains of an
inscription to the left.
Inscription: (raisti kru)s, thana, af(tir) .... (A.B. erected) this
cross to the memory of (C.D. his father.... Whatever may have been the
relationship.
Cross Slab (no. 110)
The broken shaft of a cross slab, which in 1669 was turned upside down,
reshaped and carved with a skull and cross bones. It shows remains of the
double twist and ring design. On one edge part of an inscription reads:
(A.B.) cut (these) runes
Cross Slab (no. 116)
This fragment has vertical and horizontal plait work, instead of diagonal,
which is a characteristic of Scandinavia.
Dragon Cross (no. 117)
A large well carved cross with rounded top. The patterns are similar on
both sides. The limbs have spaces between them
and are connected to a circle before tapering off to the foot. The broad
ring is decorated with plait work and loose interlacing. The looping design
is Scandinavian, while the dragon, long arrow headed tails and pear shaped
eyes are Norse.
This cross was recorded to be in the Kirk Michael churchyard by Bishop
Wilson's tomb. The bottom section was broken off and its original position
is unknown. A piece of another Dragon Cross (15in high and 9in thick) was
also found on the site, but was too fragmented to make a proper
assessment.
The cross is almost 5ft high and 2ft wide.
Cross (no. 123)
Only a fragment which had a double twist and ring design on the shaft of the
cross. On the right there is a robed figure with long braided hair. She
is holding a four pronged spear or staff in her hand. This figure possibly
meant as the wise woman, Hyndla as seen on the Jurby slab. Below the figure
is a tethered steed with the gold board won by Sigurd from the dragon Fafnir
on its back. There are bits of a broken inscription: aiftir, mui translated
as ... to the memory of Mu.
Grim's Cross (no. 126)
Twice pieces each showing the shaft of a cross and the beginning of a ring
connecting limbs. One shows double twist, diamond shaped rings, plain twist
and ring and a decorative tendril pattern. The other face had a ring chain
on the shaft. The spaces at the sides are occupied with figures. Here we
see Odin, armed with a spear and preceded by his wolves. Below Odin is the
great fish of Valhalla. Left of the shaft, heroes fighting on Idavoll the
hunting of the boar of Saebrimner. After feasting on the boar, Thor would
wave his hammer over the bones and bring them back to life. Above the fallen
hero is a robed figure, perhaps representing the Archangel Michael, who was
the over thrower of demons and the workers of evil.
Inscription:..., Krus, thna, ift, Rumun, bruthur, sun, sin. Meaning
Grim raised this cross to the memory of IIromund his brother's son.
Crucifixion Cross Slab (no. 129)
Fragment showing the head of a cross with plain bordered ring connecting
the limbs. One of the face is carved in the style of Gaut with decorated
bands. At one side of the head is a Scandinavian dragon with a man and bird
on the other side. The other face is more elaborately carved. The central
figure must be Christ in ascension, his arms outstretched in an attitude of
blessing. The cock at the side of the bead is a symbol of the Resurrection
and the winged figure at the other side may represent the third I'erson in
the Trinity.
Inscription: ... Krims, ins, suarta. Meaning (A.B. erected this
cross, etc.) ... of Grim the Black.
Millumkum Cross (no. 130)
A large slab carved in low relief on one face, showing a shafted cross with
limbs connected by a circular ring. Shaft and circle have a cable border
evening below in the head and tail of a serpent. In the centre is a ring
of chain cable. The limbs contain triquetras in continuous bands. Below
are plaits of nine and seven.
To the left of the shaft is a hart sized by a
hound and a robed Ecclesiastic with left arm raised in prayer and the right
hand resting on a crutch shaped staff. At the other side, a hart and hound
and man seated playing on a harp and robed figure holding a drinking horn.
This must be one of the Valkyriur making an offering to Bragi, god of poetry
and inspiration. Below the harper is another Ecclesiastic with arms uplifted
in blessing with his right hand holding up a crutch headed staff. Below
the cross and to the right has been scored the Ogam alphabet, related to the
faint inscription on the middle, back of the stone, but it cannot be
deciphered.
Runes running up one side of the back translate as, Mal, Lumkun,
krus, thena, efrer, Mal, Muru, fustra, sine, totir Tufkals, kona, is, athisl,
ati. Meaning Mael Loncheu raised this cross to the memory of Mal Mura his
foster (mother) daughter of Dugal the wife whom Athisl had. On the left
the following reading has been done in the same hand, Betra, es, laifa, fustra,
kuthan, than, son, ilan. Meaning Better is it to leave a good foster son
than a bad son.
Joalf's Cross Slab (no. 132)
Each face is carved with a cross. The limbs of the cross connect into a
circular ring. The cross is decorated with a plait of eight with four breaks
giving the appearance of panels. Above and below the ring are triquet designs,
below on each side is a decorative cross followed by a large boss of four
triquetras. The rest of the space features subjects, stags and hounds, a man
on horseback and a riderless horse. Below on the shaft are two pelleted dragons
interlaced and a figure of a stag attacked by a hound.
The other face shows Gaut's design. The bands goes down the shaft to form
with two others in a double twist interlaced with diamond shaped rings. Above
the head of the cross is a large figure of a stag followed by a hound. At the
back of the stag, a bird is pursued by a larger one. At one side of the shaft
a man on horseback followed by a spare horse. The other side has a bull and
ram fighting a conventional bird and horse.
Inscription: Iualfir, sunr, Thurulfs, hins, Rautha, risti, krus, theaft,
Frithu, muthur, sino. Meaning Joalf son of Thoorolf the Red erected this
cross to the memory of Fritha his mother. (Joalf is figured above the ring
with a spear in his right head and a small shield in his left.)
This cross originally stood in a field near Bishopscourt, but was moved
to sit upon three circular stone steps just outside the gates of Kirk Michael
Church. It now resides inside the church, where it can be protected.
The cross is 7ft high, 20in wide, and 6in thick.
| Events |
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| Dates: |
Wednesday 04 June 2008 |
| Description: |
Rudge Enthusiasts Meet. A Rudge Owners meeting. At the Old Vicarage Motorcycle Museum, Main Road, Kirk Michael. Starting at 7.30pm. A trophy is awarded to best Rudge. The Old Vicarage, Main Road, Kirk Michael. |
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| Dates: |
Saturday 05 July 2008 |
| Description: |
Mostly childrens sports-a fun day out for all. At Cronk y Voddy sports field,Cronk y Voddy Straight, starting at 2pm. Cronk Y Voddy, Kirk Michael. |
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| Dates: |
Monday 07 July 2008 |
| Description: |
Bishopscourt Open Afternoon. Open afternoon at Bishopscourt, Kirk Michael. Musical display by the Band of the Royal Air Force. Display of vintage cars and motorcycles, stalls, amusements, teas etc with full supporting programme. Gates open from 12.30pm. £4 for adults (including afternoon tea), £1 for under 12's. Bishopscourt, Kirk Michael. |
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More>> |
Event information supplied by the Isle of Man Department of Tourism & Leisure (01624 686766) |
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| STONE CROSSES |
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Kirk Michael |
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