Tynwald Hill - Cronk-y-Keeillown

The Norse governed the island for over four hundred years from 800 AD to 1265 AD. In 1079, Godred Crovan invaded the Isle of Man and ruled it for 16 years. It is believed that under his rule the Tynwald Parliament was established and the Isle of Man is thought to have the longest unbroken parliament in the world.

Manx National Day held on the 5th of July is when the government for the Island go to Tynwald Hill in St Johns to read a summary of the laws passed over the last year. The reading is given in Manx and English. The artificial hill, which is thought to have started as a Bronze Age burial mound, is made up of four circular platforms. The base is approximately 80ft in diameter and the mound stands about 12ft high. The hill is thought to have been a meeting place for the Celtic midsummer assembly. Hence the Celtic Cross representing the sun god, Lugh. This past is still remembered by the laying of the rushes on the Processional Walkway to the hill in homage to the Celtic sea God Mannanan.

Our visit

It was a perfect summers day when we visited and we were able to visit Tynwald Hill just after we had been to the Ballaharra Standing Stones also in St John's Village. We finished our time in St John's with a stroll in Tynwald National Park next to the Hill. The views were stunning.

Getting there

Tynwald Hill is located in the village of St Johns near Peel in the midwest part of the island.

• By car - St John is near Peel on the A1.
• By bus - St John is on bus routes from Douglas, Peel and Ramsey.