Cass ny Hawin
A site used over a number of ages including the Mesolithic (approx. 8000-4000BC), Iron Age (approx. 500BC-500AD) and Viking (approx.800-1100AD) periods.
Discoveries include:
Lower Silverdale Glen is a pleasant woodland walk from the medieval Monks Bridge in Ballasalla near Rushen Abbey, to the old Creg Mill. This Manx glen has Victorian tree and pleasure garden plantings as well as wild woodland flowers like Bluebells, Wood Sorrel and Primroses.
The Curraghs form a mosaic of willow and bog myrtle scrub, sphagnum bog, open water and flower-rich hayfields which support a wide variety of wildlife. They provide a communal winter roost for Hen Harriers and a breeding habitat for a highly endangered migratory bird, the corncrake
Take a trip from Old Eary Cushlin farm to the ancient Keeill (chapel) at Lag ny Keeilley. You will come across open heathland, sheep-grazed grassland, bracken-covered steep ‘brooghs’ (slopes) and wet flushes.
A small upland farm at Killabrega sits next to a public footpath which provides commanding views over the Sulby Glen and beyond.
The Ayres is internationally important for its wildlife are the extremely rare lichen dominated heath, marram grass-covered dune and ‘gaelic’ heath. The latter is characterised by its mix of heather and low-growing western gorse.
The public footpath from the Lance Ussher Memorial Reserve at Ballaharry routes to the eastern slopes of Greeba Mountain and Slieau Ruy. Only from here will you see Keeill Vreeshey, an early Christian Chapel site and the ruined farm of Upper Ballaharry.
The land at the Dhoon and Bulgham Brooghs is the main haunt on the Island of the larger feral goat flock. Notice the impressive geology of Manx slate in the cliffs which are home to Chough, Ravens and Peregrines.
The earliest stones carry Celtic designs and inscriptions using an early Celtic script called Ogham. You can see most of these early crosses in the shelter at Kirk Maughold. Norse sculptors decorated their crosses with both Christian icons and images from their own pagan mythology.
Maughold Head has an Iron Age fort at its summit. In the 5th & 6th centuries, iron ore was taken from here for smelting. A monastery also once existed on the windy cliff top. Colonies of seabirds such as Razorbills, Guillemots, Kittiwakes, Fulmars and Shags nest amongst the cliffs.
