The White Lady of Ballafreer
A peculiar rock of white quartz which has a human look about it. It is about six to seven feet high and is reputed to bring good fortune to young brides!
As you know the Isle of Man is full of history, myths and legends and lots of the stories have been handed down by oral tradition and it is difficult to find any record of them in print.
*Update from Bernadette Weyde from her excellent FB Page “As Manx as the Hills”
Extract from William Cubbon’s book, Island Heritage:
“The White Lady of Ballafreer has been an object of reverence, of wonderment, of admonition and of fear for many centuries. In view of the fact that Ballafreer was reckoned holy ground – the genesis of the name is ‘ the home of the brethren ‘ – it may have had a blessed significance, there was certainly a belief that it shed especial protection over women folk.
There is nothing elsewhere in the Island like this white quartz pillar, about six to seven feet high. A girl about to be wed would fill her mouth with the water from Chibbyr Pherick, ‘St. Patrick’s well,’ which flowed only a few yards away. Then she would walk three times around the pillar, and this must be done jesh-wise, or sun-wise, and then swallow the sacred water, saying in Manx: Ayns yn Ennym Yee, as y Vac, as y Spyrryd Noo,’ In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.’ Child-bearing women also did this ritual. And, in order to be effective, it must be performed before sunrising.”
Feel free to make any comments either on this website by clicking the “Write comment” below or by logging onto my Facebook Page enjoy – Click on the image for a larger view.
Peter Killey
I’ve not come across the White Lady. It makes a good story. Where abouts is it Peter?
This is an amazing White Quartz stone that according to the farmer is regularly repainted in whitewash and had the stone head piece repaired as it had come loose. Nearby is another monument called St Patricks Bed ,also the Chicken Coop i noticed was enclosed and had a Crow with wings outspread tied in flying position by two red coloured threads anchored over the Chickens to the sides of the enclosure ! I wondered why as there are no foxes on the Island ,what was it there for to deter ?