The Isle of Man is already revered for its beautiful landscapes, but less well-known is its abundance of amazing folklore.
Tales of the strange and mysterious are everywhere you venture in the Isle of Man, but a particularly good trail of stories lie between Peel and Glen Maye on the west coast.
Peel has one of the most important tales of Manx folklore; the Moddey Dhoo of Peel Castle. It was about 350 years ago when guards stationed in the castle noticed that a mysterious enormous black dog would appear at night and lay down by the fire. The men were normally frightened of this otherworldly beast, but one of them had too much to drink one night and foolishly started taunting it. Later on, when the man set off on his own down the dark passage to return the keys of the castle gates, the Moddey Dhoo got up and followed him. Soon after, terrifying screams could be heard echoing down the passage. The story of what happened was never discovered, as the ashen-faced man died soon afterwards, unable to speak after the shock of what he had witnessed.
Some say that the beast is still lurking, so if you are foolish enough to be hanging around the castle late at night, watch out!
Approaching Peel Hill and setting off along the spectacular seaward path, you will come by the holy well of St Patrick on the steep slopes looking out towards Ireland. This was where his horse leapt up the hillside and dislodged a piece of Manx soil, starting the water flow of Chibbyr Pherick, a holy well which became known for its curative properties. St Patrick and his horse had galloped across the sea, pursued by a sea beast who had been trying to halt the arrival of Christianity to the Island. It was only once Patrick was safely on land that the saint was able to turn this beast into stone. Its body remains there in the sea at the foot of the hill below the well, identifiable by its ridged back.
Coming inland via Knockaloe, praying that you don’t come across the phantom funerals which are common around the area, you move down towards the village of Gordon. Visible up on the hill over the road is the original Gordon farm itself, where the Phynnodderee once lived. This was a giant hairy creature who would help around the farm during the night, performing tasks that no human could possibly manage due to the strength and speed required. The assistance of the unclothed creature was very thankfully received by the farmer at Gordon, but when he tried to present the Phynnodderee with a gift of clothes, the shy giant took offence and left the farm to never return again.
Reaching Glen Maye (avoiding the ghost horses at the roadside, who, if you are foolish enough to climb on their backs, will race you away and drown you in the river!), you will come across one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the whole Island; Spooyt Vooar. It was here that a buggane once lived. This big, ugly monster would generally keep himself to himself, unless you gave him good cause to come after you. One story tells of how he was so offended by the laziness of one woman in Glen Maye village that he grabbed her one night, slung her over his back, and set off down to the glen to thorw her into the waterfall. She survived to tell the tale though, because, just in the nick of time, she cut her apron strings and escaped his grasp. Let that be a lesson to anyone inclined to too much relaxing!
Moving down the beautiful glen to Glen Maye shore, you come to the site of a great fairy battle . Of course, fairies in the Isle of Man aren’t the gentle, pretty winged type, but little people more likely to do you harm or cause mischief than anything else. It was here at the shore that a man once witnessed the arrival of a fleet of boats carrying foreign fairies who were pounced on and attacked by the Manx ones with stones and fists. The battle raged on back and forth, until the Manx ones won and the foreign invaders were driven back onto their boats. The man survived the experience by keeping well hidden, and ready to call out the Lord’s name should he have been discovered. Be prepared!
These and many more stories from this area and the rest of the Isle of Man can be found in ‘A Guide to the Folklore Sites of the Isle of Man,’ available from all good Manx bookshops.
Please be aware that walking is always with its dangers. Please do so responsibly, at your own risk, and with enjoyment!
Written by James Franklin, Online & Educational Resources Officer at Culture Vannin, which promotes, supports and celebrates the unique culture of the Isle of Man. Culture Vannin
