Ynys Llandwyn - Llandwyn Island - Dwynwen's Island or Island of the Blessed is a rather special place. This small island has wildlife, geology, dunes, views, rocky outcrops, wild flowers and historic buildings galore. It is not quite an island as it is attached to the mainland although it is cut off completely at the highest tides.
Dwynwen lived during the 5th century AD (sorry for the AD Rosie!) and was one of St Brychan's (a Welsh prince) 24 daughters. She fell in love with a young man called Maelon. However, she rejected his advances. The reasons for this depend on which version of the story you read - it was either beause she wished to remain chaste and become a nun or because her father wished her to marry someone else. She prayed to be released from her love for the man and dreamed she had been given a potion. The potion turned Maelon to ice. She prayed again asking for three wishes 1) that Maelon would be revived; 2) that all true lovers would find happiness and 3) that she should never again wish to fall in love or to be married. She retreated to Llandwyn Island to live in solitude and become a hermit building a small chapel.
Saint Dwynwen is the Welsh Patron Saint of Lovers and her feast day of 25th January is often celebrated by people sending cards and flowers in Wales. She is also the Patron Saint of Sick Animals.
This little map shows you what you can see on the island - St Dwynwen's church and two crosses in her memory, Twr Mawr and Twr Bach (beacons/lighthouses) and the pilot cottages.
Again there were wild flowers everywhere - Bloody Crane's Bill
Looking back towards the route we had just walked.
Looking towards St Dwynwen's Church and cross and Twr Mawr lighthouse.
Sea Pink or Thrift
Even the path was magical - it was composed in places of broken sea shells.
More pillow lava and
the views were spectacular.
The Celtic Cross
St Dwynwen's Church
Looking back on the walk so far.
The path to come.
Bird's Foot Trefoil
Wild Thyme
Six Spot Burnet Moth
This little islet called Bird Rock holds 1 per cent of the British breeding population of cormorants.
Twr Mawr (Large Tower) beacon (modelled on Anglesey's windmills) was constructed in 1873 to provide guidance for ships heading for the Menai Straits.
Earlier this year when we had just booked the Anglesey holiday and when I was in the depths of despair over my mother's house and the problems caused by the relative living there I cut out a photo from a tourist magazine of this lighthouse thinking it looked magical and I used to stare at it thinking hopefully by the time we visit the horrors of dealing with my mother's estate would be over. So it was a rather special moment for me to actually stand at this spot and see this view especially as things are now nearing completion on my mother's house sale and estate.
St Dwynwen's cross in memory of St Dwynwen erected in the late 19th century by the then owner of the island a Mr F G Wynn.
Twr Bach (Small Tower) this was built earlier than the larger lighthouse again to act as a beacon.
The pilot's cottages and Timothy.
These were built around the same time as the lighthouse to house pilots who guided ships in the straits. I believe they featured recently in a tv series called the 1900's?? where people were stranded here to see how they coped - I really must see if it is still on i-player. From 1840 a lifeboat was also stationed here. It ceased operating in 1903 but it had saved 101 lives in 35 separate incidents.
This canon was used to summon the lifeboat crew.
At this stage I had lost the others so I walked towards the church ruins and Celtic Cross.
St Dwynwen's Church
Pilgrimages were made to St Dwynwen's Holy Well on the island in the Middle Ages. Sadly, I didn't find the well all I knew was that it was somewhere between the church ruins and lighthouse possibly in a rocky area? It was believed that the faithfulness of a lover would be discovered through the movements of eels that lived in the well. Breadcrumbs would be scattered on the water's surface then a handkerchief would be placed there and if the eels disturbed it the person's lover would be faithful (I suspect there are several versions of this tale). The funds collected from pilgrims enabled a chapel to be built in the 16th century on the site of the saint's original church and these are the ruins we see today.
The passage of thousands of feet have worn the doorway step smooth. Human Bones from a medieval shroud burial have been found here. People used to light candles at the church on St Martin's Day 25th April as an offering to St Dwynwen to protect their livestock.
The Celtic Cross - also erected by F G Wynn in the early 20th century.
At this stage I became aware that B, D and E were shouting at me that they were watching a seal.
D's record shot - it was a long way away by the islet in the second photo.
I didn't take so many photos while walking back (the others had followed a different route along the cliff path).
Record shot of a linnet
I managed to get back to the beach before the others and sat on the rocks waiting.
We walked back a short distance along the beach and then detoured to a path through the forest.
There is a massive roost at ravens at Newborough Forest which from memory I think is mentioned in Mark Cocker's book "Crow Country"?
Pyramidal Orchid
Finally, back at the car park
My all time favourite beach is Compton Beach on the Isle of Wight but I have to say the wonders of Newborough Beach, with the forest and Llandwyn Island have come very close to knocking it off the top spot!
After eating our sandwiches at nearly tea-time! We went and parked in a car park deeper into the woods in the hope that we might see a Red Squirrel.
We were so lucky as B spotted one after a few minutes.
Red Squirrel cafe in Newborough
Later that evening it was good to watch Andy Murray back in action.
Shells and Pebbles collected during the holiday
B and D finally finished their jigsaw (I did one piece!!)
The next post will include the day spent looking round Beaumaris, the church, a boat trip to Puffin Island and Beaumaris Castle
Apologies for such a lengthy post - I will probably split the day in Beaumaris into several posts to make it more manageable!
*D Photos taken by D with the Canon SX50 bridge camera
Rest of photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera
Reference: Information Boards at the island
11 comments:
What a gorgeous place!
A lovely, special and important place both environmentally and historically. I am so pleased you enjoyed it. Santes Dwynwen is an important saint in the hagiography of Wales, so it is a shame to see the church in such a parlous state. The lighthouse tower now hold very special meaning for you. As for seeing a red squirrel ~ lucky you! Icing on the cake!
That's a pretty impressive collection of shells and pebbles. i don't think we ever quite lose the urge to keep items from the seashore do we? We often bring small rocks back with us and distribute them judiciously throughout the garden as reminders of places we have visited. We have enough that we could have a geology quiz!
What a lovely place, and so much to see and do. You did find some lovely things and have enjoyed looking at your photos. Nice spotting the Red Squirrel have not seen one for years. I can't go anywhere without bringing something home especially shells and stones.
Beautiful post.
Amanda xx
Simon Douglas Thompson - Thank you :)
Rustic Pumpkin Thank you and I would so love to know more about Wales' saints - do you know please if there is a book on the subject. The saints and early churches and holy wells are fascinating.
We were so pleased about the Red Squirrel :)
David M Gascoigne - Thank you. The rocks as mementoes in your garden sound lovely. We have a few in ours as well and the smaller ones go in dishes or sometimes boxes if I have too many! Shells I put in clear glass vases to display.
Amanda Peters - Thank you - you would love that beach, wood and island :) I always take a small container or bag with me when we go out as if I am not picking up things my son is. He particular likes collecting feathers - still hoping to find one from a jay with the blue (I have only ever found one as a child!).
What a beautiful tranquil place it looks with so much history, I love beachcombing, you have a lovely collection of shells and stones. Great to see a wild red squirrel, we saw one in Scotland and it was such a thrill. I still use AD etc as it's hard after many years to change, new meanings on old words and new technology are passing me by! I measured my ironing board in feet and inches the other day for a new cover!:)
Rosie - Thank you. I think it was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to :) I am now looking for the right type of "dish" to display the pebbles - my son has commandeered the shells for a pottery bowl he bought on the island!
BC and AD are easier to remember! :) I use metric for cooking but with length measurements for longer areas I still think in feet and inches and yards!! I found a good new ironing board cover recently that eliminated the need to measure as it fitted all sizes and had elastic round the edge rather than those horrible tie draw strings with tags that you can never pull tight enough!
This looks like a special place to visit, I would love to go walking there.
I am so happy that you got your magical moment with the lighthouse :-)
Cherry Pie - Thank you. We had some lovely days on the holiday but the little island was my favourite :)
Wow! What sublime coastal scenery, RR. And I'm so pleased the seal put in an appearance. I wonder how many islands/islets you clocked up. David had been hoping to cross to Tintagel, but realised before we set off for Cornwall (at about the same time you were here) that the building work there was considerably behind schedule. We did, however, see HALF a bridge in place!
Caroline Gill - Thank you - Newborough really was paradise! We did see quite a few more little islands off the coast from beaches etc. I was keen to visit Church Island by Menai Bridge but we never had tie. So sorry about the bridge work being so behind schedule so you could see half!! Hope you can visit again at some time and see it complete. We haven't been to Cornwall for quite a few years but it is so lovely there :)
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