John Kneen

Epithet: A blacksmith from Ballaugh - born c.1854

Record type: Photographs

Parish: Ballaugh

Biography: Manx speaker - lived on the Curragh Road, Ballaugh, sometimes known as Jackie. He was the blacksmith at Jurby East for many years (like his father) and remembers piling turf around wheel bands to heat them before hooping wheels - lived well into his 90s. He was recorded speaking in Manx around 1950 by the Irish Folklore Commission in 1948 and was also visited frequently for information by the Manx Folklife Society.

He was the model for St. Andrew in a stained glass window at Alsager Church in Cheshire, designed by Tom Willford, Brabyn's Studios, Marple Bridge.

Occupation / profession: blacksmith

Gender: Male

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