 History & Heritage
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Llanfairpwll - St. Mary
The church, which gives its name to the village was totally rebuilt in 1853 to accommodate the serge in population
brought on by the railway station and the new road. A 17th century silver chalice cup still survives from the old
chapel of rest.
Llanddwyn - St. Dwynwen
St. Dwynwen was the 5th century daughter of King Brychan of Brycheiniog and the patron saint of young lovers.
The church continued to be a centre for pilgrimage even after it was rebuilt in the 15th century but it was abandoned during the Reformation.
Today the church lies in ruin but the site has historical significance. In the 1480s Black Dean Kyffin held the living
of the church and had a house nearby. It was here that he plotted the accession of the Tudors and sent secret messages
to the future Henry VII in France.
Llandtsilio - St. Tysilio
St. Tysilio founded his cell on an island in the Menai Straits after the death of his father, King Brochmael of Powys in
the battle of Chester (616 AD). The present 15th century church has been restored although most of the roof timbers
and part of the east window are original. The churchyard contains the grave of Cynan, the Archdruid and poet.
Penmynydd - St. Credifael
This 14th century church that was restored in 1848 still contains some features from an earlier church including
chevron carved stones. An alabaster alter-tomb from 1385 was dedicated to Gronw Fychan and his wife, early members of the Tudor
dynasty.
Beaumaris - St. Mary and St. Nicholas
The original 14th century church functioned as a chapel to nearby Llandegfan. It was rebuilt in 1500 and embellished with castellated
parapets. There have been several more restorations over the years. Important artifacts include a carved stone coffin, said
to have belonged to Queen Joan, wife of Llewelyn ap Iorwerth and some important alabaster altar-tombs.
Llanallgo - St. Gallgo
Legend says that Gallgo was the son of King Caw of Pictland and the brother of St. Gildas, the famous author of 'The Ruin
of Britain' our earliest written work of history. The church was originally a 14th century chapel of ease but was completely
repaired in the 19th century and very few original features remain.
Penrhoslligwy - St. Mihangel
Before the conquest of Edward I, Penrhos Lligwy was the court of the Princes of Gwynedd and the church may have been a royal
chapel. Again, the present church is dated from the 14th century and was restored in the 19th century. A 6th century
memorial to Maccudeceti is mounted in the chancel. A tablet in the church commemorates Margaret, the mother of the famous
Morris brothers.
Llanwenllwyfo - St. Gwenllwyfo
The present 19th century church was built to replace a nearby medieval church. The church possesses an extremely important
collection of seventeen panes of 15th and 16th century Flemish stained glass.
Llaneilian - St. Eilian
Legend states that St Eilian was sent by the Pope as emissary to King Cadwallon Lawhir in the 5th century. Eilian blinded
Cadwallon as a punishment for seizing his oxen when he landed at Porth Ysgaw. Cadwallon promised the saint as much land
as a deer could cover before being caught by the royal hounds and so Eilian renewed his sight.
This is an unusual church with a 12th century tower and spire and a 15th century nave and chancel. There are several noted artifacts inside
and St. Eilian Holy Well is nearby.
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