Interview with James Karran about Cregneash
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Date(s): 1950-1957
Creator(s): Manx Museum
Scope & Content: Manx Folk Life Survey sound recording of James Karran with B.R.S. Megaw concerning past inhabitants of Cregneash and surrounding areas. James recalls Margaret Gretchen, spinster from Castletown who owned some land in village and lived in a dwelling house keeping a school; how her land was let out; how people of Cregneash went to Margaret’s to be schooled. How Ned Beg Hom Ruy and his father were good scholars and owned three fields and a cow; they lived in what is now Arthur Karran’s house; fishing was the main livelihood; how Ned Beg was good at poetry and his hobby was fishing with a rod down at the Sound; he enjoyed beach combing and looking for shipwrecks.
He talks about how the Buggane Beast of Callou would roar down at the Sound at back of Spanish head; Black Head cave and how fishermen at the start of the fishing season would fire a bottle of rum into the cave to bring them good luck; Joana's Spirit; Carrick ny Hey stream; Burroo Ned; quarrying lintels including Willie Watterson the sailmaker from the Howe; remembers carting dozens of lintels using pair of horses in an ordinary stiff cart to Port St Mary, Port Erin, Castletown; seaweed carried in straw creels.
He recalls how Harry Kelly and Charlie Keggin were good Manx speakers; he farmed at Glen Chass and lived in Mrs Battersbie’s house; Miss Karran had biggest holding in Cregneash and Spanish Head and how there were the four landowners, Miss Karran, Harry Gawne, Charlie and Margaret. He talks about festivals including Old Christmas Day, Old New Year’s Day; place names; fuel used in Cregneash. He mentions Harry Kelly’s cottage; the Jones' as the last house built; Bill Crebbins'; recalls Ned Taubman’s uncle the weaver who had looms in his house; the blacksmith Crebbin; joiners and masons working in the parish.
Going to sea aged 12 in 1890 on a nicky called 'Emma Jane' with the skipper John Crebbin of the Howe; sailing to Kinsale and the Shetlands and in coastal steamers and how he liked Ireland and the Irish; working on a lugger; fishing including crabbing as the main industry; how in winter dry herring and salt fish were stored in racks on the ceiling; potatoes and buttermilk part of staple diet. He says he doesn't believe in fairies but that old people would leave flowers and food outside for them on May Day Eve; herbs put on fishing boats for luck; how Crosh chuirns were made and placed behind the doors to ward off witches. Ends by recalling how his mother was born in Gill’s house and how people used flails to thresh corn.
Administration / Biographical History: This recording was made for the Manx Folk Life Survey.
Basil Richardson Stanley Megaw was director of the Manx Museum, 1940-1957 (1913-2002).
Mary Quilliam was a Manx Folk Life Survey recorder.
Language: English
Extent: 32 min. 4 sec.
Item name: magnetic tape
Collection: Sound Archive
Level: ITEM
ID number: SA 0070
Access conditions: All reasonable attempt has been made by Manx National Heritage to trace and request permission (where needed) from the copyright holder(s) in this sound recording. If however you think you are a rights holder then please contact Manx National Heritage.
Subject tags : #UOSH, #UOSHManxFolkLifeSurvey
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