Farmers, traders, kings and watchers
Who lived in and around the island’s forts and castles, and what they left behind.
Iron Age homes
Big Iron Age timber farmhouses at Ballacagen and Ballanorris were up to 30 metres across. Manx National Heritage (archived gov.im page, 2012): Iron Age Farmsteads They probably had low dome-shaped roofs covered with turf. Manx National Heritage (archived gov.im page, 2012): Iron Age Farmsteads
The family lived round the central hearth; the outer ring stored things and probably housed the animals in winter. Manx National Heritage (archived gov.im page, 2012): Iron Age Farmsteads
Some held villages of roundhouses; others enclosed just one building. Manx National Heritage (archived gov.im page, 2012): Iron Age Fortifications
Things people made and traded
Locally made pottery went out of use by 500 BC; people used containers of organic materials instead. Manx National Heritage (archived gov.im page, 2012): Celtic Farmers, Iron Age
Prized jewellery of jet, amber, bronze and glass was traded from Britain. Manx National Heritage (archived gov.im page, 2012): Celtic Farmers, Iron Age
A brooch dates the last Iron Age use of Close ny Chollagh to about AD 50. Manx National Heritage (archived gov.im page, 2012): Iron Age Fortifications
Norse farms
At the Braaid you can see an Iron Age roundhouse and two Norse longhouses side by side. Manx National Heritage: The Braaid
The Braaid’s main longhouse was 20 metres long and 8 metres wide inside, with walls 2 metres thick. Andrew Johnson, “Watch and Ward on the Isle of Man” (Scottish Society for Northern Studies, 2002) A second building, 16.5 metres long, is thought to have been a house for animals. Andrew Johnson, “Watch and Ward on the Isle of Man” (Scottish Society for Northern Studies, 2002)
Life in a castle
It was a fortress, a royal home, a mint and even a prison. Manx National Heritage: Access Guide for Castle Rushen (2026)
The Treasury was once the most secure room on the island. Manx National Heritage: Castle Rushen
Things to spot include the murder holes in the inner gatehouse and a gatehouse toilet, the “garderobe”. Manx National Heritage: Group visitor information for Castle Rushen
There is a 16th-century great garrison hall. Manx National Heritage: Group visitor information for Peel Castle The curtain wall also surrounds the later apartments of the Lords of Mann. Manx National Heritage: Group visitor information for Peel Castle
Watchers on the coast
Day watchers sat on hills with views out to sea; night watchers stood near the places boats could land. Andrew Johnson, “Watch and Ward on the Isle of Man” (Scottish Society for Northern Studies, 2002)
A document of 1627 lists the wardens of the day watch and the night watch. Andrew Johnson, “Watch and Ward on the Isle of Man” (Scottish Society for Northern Studies, 2002)
A language of its own
The Manx have their own language, Manx Gaelic. “Traa dy liooar” means “time enough”. Manx National Heritage: About the Isle of Man
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