Church Island (Anglesey): Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Island in Anglesey, Wales}} |
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{{For|the island in the River Thames at Staines|Church Island, River Thames}} |
{{For|the island in the River Thames at Staines|Church Island, River Thames}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} |
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[[File:Ynys Tysilio - Menai Staits near the Menai Suspension Bridge, Wales 03 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Church Island from Anglesey]] |
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'''Church Island''', also known as '''Llandysilio Island''',<ref name="CelticSites">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BKbUAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA111 |page=111 |title=Celtic Sites and Their Saints: A Guidebook |author=Elizabeth Rees |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |year=2003|isbn=9780860123187 }}</ref> ({{lang-cy|Ynys Tysilio}}) is a small island in the [[Menai Strait]] on the shores of [[Anglesey]] to which it is attached by a short causeway that is reachable only on foot. The dominant feature of the island is with [[St Tysilio's Church, Menai Bridge|St Tysilio's Church]], constructed in the 15th century, its churchyard, and a grade-II listed war memorial. The 20th-century bard Cynan ([[Albert Evans-Jones]]) is among several notable people buried in the churchyard. The [[Anglesey Coastal Path]] passes the head of the causeway. |
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A number of birds inhabit the island and its waters, and it also features numerous [[Primulaceae|primroses]]. |
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[[File:Causeway to Church Island.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Church Island and Causeway]] |
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==Description== |
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'''Church Island''' ({{lang-cy|Ynys Dysilio}}) is a small island in the [[Menai Strait]] on the shores of [[Anglesey]] to which it is attached by a short causeway that is reachable only on foot off the Belgian Promenade<ref name="prosiect_menai">{{Cite web|url=http://www.prosiectmenai.co.uk/churchisle.php|publisher=Prosiect Menai|title=Church Island & St. Tysilio|accessdate=2008-10-19}}</ref>. The whole {{convert|2.7|acre|m2}} of the island is taken up with St [[Tysilio]]'s [[church (building)|church]], constructed in the 15th century,<ref name="fifteenth century">{{Cite web|url=http://www.walesdirectory.co.uk/tourist-attractions/Churches_and_Chapels/Wales9015.htm|publisher=Wales Directory|title=St Tysilio's Church, Church Island in Wales & St. Tysilio|accessdate=2010-02-11}}</ref> and the [[churchyard]]. The 20th-century bard Cynan ([[Albert Evans-Jones]]) is buried in the churchyard. The [[Anglesey Coastal Path]] passes the head of the causeway. |
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Church Island is located in the [[Menai Strait]], off the south-eastern shore of the island of [[Anglesey]], close to the town of [[Menai Bridge]].<ref name="OS"/> It is located in a stretch of the Menai known as the [[Swellies]], with the stretch of water to the south of the church is prone to dangerous tidal currents.<ref name="CelticSites"/> Access to the island is via a short tidal causeway, which meets the [[Wales Coast Path]] long-distance footpath at its Anglesey end. The closest road is the [[A545 road|A545]],<ref name="OS">{{cite book |isbn=9780319464229 |publisher=Ordnance Survey |title=Explorer 263: Anglesey East / Dwyrain Ynys Mon |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ovhEyQEACAAJ |year=2006}}</ref> with a car park from which the island can be accessed via a woodland path.<ref name="CelticSites"/> |
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[[St Tysilio's Church, Menai Bridge|St Tysilio's]], a single-chamber church, is the major feature on the island,<ref name="CelticSites"/> along with its graveyard and a war memorial near the highest point, which was designed by [[Harold Hughes (architect)|Harold Hughes]] and was given a [[Listed building#Grade II|grade-II listing]] in 1997.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300018557-war-memorial-church-of-st-tysilio-menai-bridge#.Xl5WbTLxJaQ |work=British Listed Buildings |title=War Memorial, Church of St Tysilio}}</ref> |
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On top of the highest point of the small island is a memorial to the local men who died during the World wars. This is also the best place on the island from which to view the Menai Strait and the two bridges that cross it<ref name="prosiect_menai" />. |
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==History== |
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In 2002, [[Little Egret]]s bred in [[Wales]] for the first time on a small islet just off Church Island. |
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The early history of the island, including details of the construction of the causeway to the Anglesey mainland, is unknown.<ref name="MenaiHeritage">{{cite web |url=https://menaibridges.co.uk/history/local-area/church-island/ |work=Menai Heritage |access-date=3 March 2020 |title=Church Island and the church of St. Tysilio}}</ref> The first recorded occupation was by Prince [[Tysilio]], later Saint Tysilio, who was the son of [[Brochwel Ysgithrog]], a king of [[Kingdom of Powys|Powys]]. Tysilio arrived on Church Island in approximately AD 630, and founded a [[Hermitage (religious retreat)|hermitage]] there. He remained there for around seven years, before moving to [[Meifod]] where he became an [[abbot]].<ref name="AngleseyHistory">{{cite web |url=https://www.anglesey-history.co.uk/places/churches_and_chapels/Llandysilio/index.html |work=Anglesey-History.co.uk |author=Warren Kovach |access-date=3 March 2020 |title=Llandysilio - St. Tysilio's Church}}</ref> No trace of Tysilio's hermitage survives on Church Island today.<ref name="AngleseyHistory"/> |
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The present-day church of Saint Tysilio was founded in the fifteenth century.<ref name="WelshAcademy">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-ZEUAQAAIAAJ |page=547 |title=The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales |author=Academi Gymreig |publisher=University of Wales Press |year=2008|isbn=9780708319536 }}</ref> It is not known who built the church, but it is likely that it replaced an earlier structure on the same site.<ref name="MenaiHeritage"/> Several prominent people are buried in the churchyard, including [[Henry Rees Davies]],<ref name="WelshAcademy"/> other members of his family such as father [[Richard Davies (MP)|Richard Davies]],<ref name="MenaiHeritage"/> [[John Edward Lloyd]], and the bard [[Albert Evans-Jones]], known by the pseudonym of Cynan.<ref name="WelshAcademy"/> |
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==Flora and fauna== |
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Birds found close to the island include [[Eurasian oystercatcher|oystercatchers]], [[Eurasian curlew|curlews]], [[common tern]]s, and in recent times, [[little egret]]s. There are also a number of [[Primulaceae|primroses]] growing, which give the island a golden appearance during the spring months.<ref name="CelticSites"/> |
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==See also== |
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* [[Ynys Gored Goch]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist |
{{Reflist}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*[http://www. |
* [http://www.menaibridges.co.uk/history/local-area/church-island/ Menai Heritage] A community group celebrating the two bridges across the Menai Strait and the surrounding area. |
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{{Commons category|Church Island, Menai Strait|Church Island}} |
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[[Category:Menai Strait]] |
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{{Anglesey-geo-stub}} |
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{{Islands of Anglesey}} |
{{Islands of Anglesey}} |
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[[br:Ynys Dysilio]] |
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[[ca:Illa de Dysilio]] |
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[[cy:Ynys Dysilio]] |
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[[de:Church Island (Menai-Straße)]] |
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[[Category:Menai Strait]] |
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[[Category:Menai Bridge]] |
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Latest revision as of 19:09, 2 November 2023
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Church Island, also known as Llandysilio Island,[1] (Welsh: Ynys Tysilio) is a small island in the Menai Strait on the shores of Anglesey to which it is attached by a short causeway that is reachable only on foot. The dominant feature of the island is with St Tysilio's Church, constructed in the 15th century, its churchyard, and a grade-II listed war memorial. The 20th-century bard Cynan (Albert Evans-Jones) is among several notable people buried in the churchyard. The Anglesey Coastal Path passes the head of the causeway.
A number of birds inhabit the island and its waters, and it also features numerous primroses.
Description
[edit]Church Island is located in the Menai Strait, off the south-eastern shore of the island of Anglesey, close to the town of Menai Bridge.[2] It is located in a stretch of the Menai known as the Swellies, with the stretch of water to the south of the church is prone to dangerous tidal currents.[1] Access to the island is via a short tidal causeway, which meets the Wales Coast Path long-distance footpath at its Anglesey end. The closest road is the A545,[2] with a car park from which the island can be accessed via a woodland path.[1]
St Tysilio's, a single-chamber church, is the major feature on the island,[1] along with its graveyard and a war memorial near the highest point, which was designed by Harold Hughes and was given a grade-II listing in 1997.[3]
History
[edit]The early history of the island, including details of the construction of the causeway to the Anglesey mainland, is unknown.[4] The first recorded occupation was by Prince Tysilio, later Saint Tysilio, who was the son of Brochwel Ysgithrog, a king of Powys. Tysilio arrived on Church Island in approximately AD 630, and founded a hermitage there. He remained there for around seven years, before moving to Meifod where he became an abbot.[5] No trace of Tysilio's hermitage survives on Church Island today.[5]
The present-day church of Saint Tysilio was founded in the fifteenth century.[6] It is not known who built the church, but it is likely that it replaced an earlier structure on the same site.[4] Several prominent people are buried in the churchyard, including Henry Rees Davies,[6] other members of his family such as father Richard Davies,[4] John Edward Lloyd, and the bard Albert Evans-Jones, known by the pseudonym of Cynan.[6]
Flora and fauna
[edit]Birds found close to the island include oystercatchers, curlews, common terns, and in recent times, little egrets. There are also a number of primroses growing, which give the island a golden appearance during the spring months.[1]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Elizabeth Rees (2003). Celtic Sites and Their Saints: A Guidebook. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 111. ISBN 9780860123187.
- ^ a b Explorer 263: Anglesey East / Dwyrain Ynys Mon. Ordnance Survey. 2006. ISBN 9780319464229.
- ^ "War Memorial, Church of St Tysilio". British Listed Buildings.
- ^ a b c "Church Island and the church of St. Tysilio". Menai Heritage. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
- ^ a b Warren Kovach. "Llandysilio - St. Tysilio's Church". Anglesey-History.co.uk. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
- ^ a b c Academi Gymreig (2008). The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales. University of Wales Press. p. 547. ISBN 9780708319536.
External links
[edit]- Menai Heritage A community group celebrating the two bridges across the Menai Strait and the surrounding area.
Islands of Anglesey | |
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