4 Corkill, Manx Mines and Megaliths 



In view of such evidence, it is difficult to dispute the 

 accuracy of this theory. Many tumuli on the Island still 

 await investigation, and I hope that investigations of the 

 tumuli and cairns between Peel and Orrisdale will disclose 

 some dolmens. 



Pearls are reported by Professor Edwin Forbes as having 

 been found in the River Dhoo, near the Braddan Camp, which 

 contains megaliths. Mermaids and mermen figure in our 

 folk-lore. These creatures, I believe, are the maritime equiva- 

 lent of the fairies, that is to say, wealth-seekers. The fairies 

 were said to have been miners who " lived underground in 

 palaces shining with gold and silver," whilst the mermen and 

 mermaids " lived in palaces under the sea glittering with gems 

 and precious stones." Every source of wealth in Mann 

 appears to have ben exploited bv these early folk. 



The three circles found on the northern plain would appear 

 to be a stumbling block to the theory, but there are two 

 factors yet to be considered. Firstly, each circle is within a 

 distance of four miles from the metal at Sulby Pass ; and, 

 secondly, they are situated in a district abounding with flint. 

 As many flint chippings and implements are found in this 

 district, it would suggest that a flint tool and implement 

 factory are situated here. 



I am indebted to Miss Mona Douglas for the following 

 folk-tales bearing upon the theory. 



The Laxey Giant. 



There's a man living yet has seen the big Faowr (giant) 

 that's taking up Laxey Glen. Himself and his wife are living 

 in the fairy tailor's house in the winter, and up away to the 

 mountains in the summer, and thev sav they're having great 

 times lifting the ore out of the earth like fluicking ( ?) stones 

 off a hayfield. Gold, silver and all, they're saying and that's 

 all they're caring to take, so the ones that's working the mines 

 get leave to lift the lead. They were taking all there was 

 in the old times, hundreds of years ago, but now they're 

 allowing the miners to have the lead and a bit of silver, etc. 



Told to Miss Douglas by John Matt Mylechreest, Glendrink. 



Gob-ny-Gowan (Garwain). 



There's an old sod castle out on the edge of the sea in 

 Maughold, at a place they are calling Gob-ny-Gowan, because 

 there was an old gowan at one time that had the castle for 

 his house. And he was drawing gold and silver, copper and 

 lead, and white "furring " out of the earth, etc. 



