01-May-2023
This walk started at Glen Wyllin, and shared parts of the route with our Spooyt Vane and Kirk Michael endeavours last year. But there are so many footpaths here that the permutations are endless.
It had rained on and off all morning, but stopped as soon as we got going, which is always an auspicious turn of events.
First up, along the former railway
After exiting the railway at Glen Mooar, you go up through the woods...
...to Cabbal Pheric, or St Patrick's Chapel, so green you can hardly see the outlines of the old walls
According to Andrew Johnson and Allison Fox (A Guide to the Archaeological Sites of the Isle of Man, Culture Vannin, 2017), the Early Christian period (from 500 to 800) encompasses the conversion of the Island's inhabitants to Christianity and the arrival of the Vikings. The 170 known keeills (small chapels) are typical of this era, but they're very hard to date with accuracy, which is also the case with this one. Some sources mention a spring or holy well to the west of the construction, but there's little evidence of this now.
Plenty of primroses, though...
The stream that feeds Spooyt Vane
Then you carry on up a lane, taking in this wonderful garden, FULL of the white version of bluebells
Contrast this little building with how it looked in February last year
Great views to the sea and the lands beyond...
...and to the mountains, mist-capped...
Finally, down into the idyllic little village of Glen Wyllin
What a fabulous way to start May...