OLD FAIRY BRIDGE, Isle of Man: How to find the hidden, “real” fairy bridge
Own photo. Icon by Eucalyp from Noun Project (CC BY 3.0)
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Isle of Man has not one but TWO Fairy Bridges.
Discover how to find the hidden one and what could happen if you don't say “Hello” to the fairies.
On the main road heading from Douglas to the south of the Isle of Man, there is a Fairy Bridge. It’s clearly signposted, so that everyone knows when to say “Hello Fairies”, as soon as they cross it. Anyone who doesn’t greet the fairies might find themselves in a spot of bad luck, as we’ll soon see.
But although most visitors think this is the only fairy bridge on the Isle of Man, they don’t know that there is another, more hidden and more magical one.
The Old Fairy Bridge is known to locals as the REAL one.
The well-known Fairy Bridge
Fairy Bridge on the A5 between Newtown & Ballasalla via Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain
Driving down the leafy country lane from the capital city Douglas towards Ballasalla, you’ll come upon a lonely stone cottage adjacent to the road sign for the Fairy Bridge. The bridge is tucked under the road, so it’s easy to pass straight over it without noticing.
But there’s a reason why you should stay alert.
The old Manx custom is to greet the “little people” with a friendly “Hello fairies!” as you cross the bridge. Apparently, even the local buses give this instruction in a pre-recorded message on approach to this fabled spot!
That’s because everyone knows that fairies are fickle, mischievous creatures, who are easily offended if not shown the proper respect. If they take a dislike to you, they might cause misfortune to find you.
This is what happened to a Yorkshire decorator and his mate in the 1960s or 1970s. The story goes that they were warned on their work visit to the Isle of Man that they should greet the fairies as they crossed the bridge. Of course, they found this ridiculous and smirked at each other as they cruised over it.
Minutes later, the van suddenly came to a stop. They had broken down. After a fair bit of trouble, they eventually managed to get it fixed and carried on to their hotel.
But the following morning, they had to head back over the bridge. This time they sheepishly said hello to the fairies. And guess what? Nothing went wrong that time!
This may sound like a silly coincidence to us now, but not so long ago, the fear of fairies and their curses was very real.
Scary Fairies
Why be scared of fairies?
The Isle of Man is wonderfully rich in mythology and folklore. Not only is it said that the island was created when the legendary Irish hero Fionn mac Cumhaill (“Finn MacCool”) threw a boulder after a Scottish giant and missed, but the island’s first ruler was none other than a Celtic sea god named Manannán Mac-Y-Leirr.
Manannán was known to be one of the Tuatha Dé Danann ("folk of the goddess Danu"), the magical, supernatural race of ancient Irish mythology. Some stories say that the Tuatha Dé Danann shrunk themselves to live underground as fairies when Ireland came under attack from the invading Milesian warriors.
With the Isle of Man’s strong connection to its Irish and Viking roots, it’s not surprising that its land is permeated with lore surrounding fairies and other fae creatures.
Folklorists have collected accounts that tell us about encounters with the fairy folk, the hills they live in, the fairy dogs, pigs, horses, lambs and horses they keep, their special relationship with cats, and the human men and women who took the role of fairy doctors in their communities by communing with fairy spirits.
But make no mistake. These are not the cute fairies of Victorian children’s books and Disney cartoons. The fairies of old are not sweet, tiny, childlike humans with butterfly wings that sit on flower petals and grant wishes.
Not long ago, fairies were scary.
Image: “They will certainly mischief” from “Peter Pan”, illustrated by Arthur Rackham, via Wikimedia, Public Domain.
The “Good People”
It seems hard to believe nowadays, after all, who on earth would be scared of fairies? But the fact is, for most of history - almost anyone.
People were so wary of them, that they didn’t even dare to speak about them or name them anything but “The Good People”, “Fair Folk”, or even “The Gentry”.
On the Isle of Man, they were, rather cryptically, referred to as “Themselves”.
Here’s why. Fairies weren’t just mischievous, playful and reckless - they were dangerous. They could steal your children and replace them with a monstrous changeling.
They could ruin your crops and make your animals sick. They could enchant or kidnap you and take you to their timeless Faerie realm, to dance and sing over and over until they permitted you to leave. Decades or even centuries may have passed, and once you realise this, you might spontaneously collapse into a pile of dust.
They might send you mad or curse your family for generations. They could draw the life essence out of anything, from milk and butter to people.
They didn’t do this because they were evil, but because our real-life consequences didn’t exist to them.
But if treated with respect and kindness (and if they felt like it), the Fair Folk might gift you and your loved ones with blessings and good luck.
In fact, there are many other Manx stories of fae creatures being helpful, like the Fynoderee and the Howlaa.
With all this in mind, you could say the Yorkshire workmen got off lightly! 😉
Image: “The ” from “Peter Pan”, illustrated by Arthur Rackham, via Wikimedia, Public Domain.
The Tree on the Fairy Bridge
Whether you believe in the fairies or not, I think sharing positive vibes, wishes and gratitude can never be a bad thing.
That’s why I love the fact that the tree by the Fairy Bridge is decorated with anything from photos to flowers, from love notes to remembrances and wedding blessings, to stickers and trinkets - just in case there’s some good luck to be had.
But for a more magical experience treasured by the local children, find the trail to the Old Fairy Bridge…
The Old Fairy Bridge
Is this a portal to the Faerie realm? The Old Fairy Bridge from the rear side. Own photo.
The Old Fairy Bridge used to be a well-guarded secret, known only to locals and the children at Kewaigue Primary School. But now, some kind soul (or fairy!) has added it to Google Maps to make it easier to find (see below).
Unlike the Fairy Bridge on the A5, this one takes a little bit of walking down a muddy track into the countryside, but it’s definitely a quest worth going on.
I visited on a bright, fresh day in April. As I walked down the meandering country lane, I could see across the rolling green hills as far as the transmitter mast on the coastal hill south of Douglas. It was peaceful and quiet, with only a dog walker with a happy little Labradoodle to greet us along the way.
Once I arrived at the stream, I peered around the corner to the right and behind the sparse, young leaves of Spring, the Old Fairy Bridge came into view. Surrounded by lush greenery, it looked as though it had stood there for all eternity.
A short path leads you to the Old Fairy Bridge from the main trail. Own photo.
Something glinted and splashes of colour caught my eye. As I approached, the crisp, clear birdsong accompanied me as if stepping onto some sacred ground. The water rushed by me and glistened prettily.
Among the stone recesses, crevices and a larger nook, I could now see what the colours were - fairy trinkets and ornaments, flowers, coins, letters, stones with messages written on them, friendship bracelets… anything that was special to someone, all given with the wish for a fairy blessing.
I followed the path over the bridge, with the customary greeting to the fairies, of course. On the other side, I find a sweet little idyll, where you could sit on the bank by the stream.
More fairy trinkets and candles decorated the stone recesses, and there was even a fairy in a jar nestled in the bow of the tree trunk.
The tree was positioned as though guarding the bridge’s arch. If I were to place a portal to the Faerie realm somewhere, that arch is where I’d put it.
So I had to investigate further.
I climbed along the rocks under the bridge, like so many children before me, into the middle of the stone tunnel. There is something peculiar that happens in an archway like this. The acoustic of the water was so amplified that it was all-consuming, like a choral harmony echoing all around you in sacred architecture.
I felt like I could have sat there for eternity.
But before slipping into another dimension, I decided to return to solid ground - just in case! 🙃 Feeling a little spaced out, I explored the paths a little further only to find that they led nowhere. Ending in wild overgrowth, it was as if the human world ended here and only those with a passport to the ‘other world’ could continue.
Is there old fairy magic here?
This hollow looks like a perfect hidey-hole for tiny folk to make their home. Own photo.
Wherever people, young or old, stay a while with good feelings in their hearts, whether reverence, gratitude, peace or wishes for their loved ones, I think there remains a special kind of magic in the air.
Seeing all the sweet little notes and gifts from children and some adults, who still have that fae-touched sense of wonder about them makes this place all the more special.
If you’re looking for a quiet refuge where you can close your eyes and dream, listen to the rustling leaves, babbling brook and the symphony of birdsong, where you can tickle your toes in clear glittering water, the Old Fairy Bridge is sure to work its magic on you.
Just remember to bring a gift for the fairies - you wouldn't want to be impolite.
How to visit The Old Fairy Bridge
By bus
From Douglas
At the time of writing, the bus routes available are:
1/1A/1H/2/2A or 12/12A or 4/4N/4B
Check current routes and times here: https://www.iombusandrail.im/5368
Get off at Cooil Road and walk down Kewaigue Hill. Cross the road at the old farm buildings shortly before Kewaigue Primary School and walk down the country lane. Continue until you reach the stream with a concrete bridge over it. Instead of crossing this, walk down the path to your right. The Old Fairy Bridge is directly in front of you.
By car
From Douglas
If possible, it’s better to visit at the weekend, so that you can park at Kewaigue Primary School without obstructing anyone. There aren’t many other parking options nearby.
From Douglas, head south on either Old Castletown Road or New Castletown Road, and turn into Kewaigue Hill. Park at Kewaigue Primary School and head up the hill. At the old farm buildings, cross the road and walk down the country lane.
Continue until you reach the stream with a concrete bridge over it. Instead of crossing this, walk down the path to your right. The Old Fairy Bridge is directly in front of you.
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Find Other Magical Destinations on the Isle of Man
Further reading
Fairies - A Dangerous History by Richard Sugg
The Faith in Celtic Countries by W. Y. Evans-Wentz
The Vanishing People: Fairy Lore and Legends by Katharine Briggs
