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Gazetteers - Llanfair Pwllgwyngyll

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The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland - 1868

  • National Gazetteer, 1868
  • Lewis 1833

    National Gazetteer (1868)

    "LLANFAIR PWLLGWYNGYLL, a parish in the hundred of Tyndaethwy, county Anglesey, 5 miles S.W. of Beaumaris, and 3 from Bangor, its post town. It is situated on the western coast of Menai Strait, in the vicinity of the eddy known as the Swelly Rocks whirlpool. The latter half of the name of this place signifies the "raging pool." The village is situated on the turnpike road near the line of the Holyhead railway, which has 4 station here. Stone for building purposes is quarried and shipped at the tiny port of Pwl-fanog. To the right of the road is the Anglesey column, 100 feet high, which was erected to commemorate the prowess of the late Marquis of Anglesey at the battle of Waterloo. It was crowned with a colossal statue in bronze by Noble in 1860, and stands on a rock 260 feet high, called Craig-y-dinas, from the summit of which is obtained one of the finest panoramic views in Wales.

    The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Bangor, value with the curacy of Llandysillio annexed, £250, in the patronage of the bishop. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, stands close to the water's edge on the Anglesey side, and has been partially rebuilt, retaining a portion of the former edifice. It has a remarkable broach spire. There are small charities amounting to about £2 per annum. Within a short distance of the village is Plas Newydd, the seat of the Marquis of Anglesey, but at present occupied by the Dowager Lady Willoughby de Broke. It is surrounded by hills, and is noted for having been the temporary residence of George IV., who paid a visit to the Marquis of Anglesey on his way to Ireland, and subsequently of the Queen, who, while Princess Victoria, spent a summer here in 1832. Within the grounds, which are sheltered on all but the river side by hanging woods, are two cromlechs, one, the most perfect in the principality, being 12 feet long by 10 broad. Rather nearer to the village of Llanfair is Plas Llanfair, the seat of Lord Clarence Paget."

    [Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868)
    Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003]

    A Topographical Dictionary of Wales
    Samuel Lewis, 1833

    LLANVAIR PWLLGWYNGYLL (LLAN-VAIR-PWLL-GWYNGYLL), a parish in the hundred of TYNDAETHWY, county of ANGLESEY, NORTH WALES, 4 miles (W. by S.) from Bangor, containing 497 inhabitants. The name of this parish is derived from the dedication of its church to St. Mary, and its distinguishing adjunct from its position nearly opposite to a formidable whirlpool in the Menai strait, formed by the Swelley rocks, which rages with impetuous violence, and of which the term " Pwll Gwyngyll" is emphatically descriptive. The rocks, most of which are visible at low water, obstruct the channel of the strait, and when the lower are covered, the tide, rushing between them with tremendous fury, forms numerous vortices and strong eddies, exceedingly dangerous to vessels navigating this part of the Menai, which are sometimes caught by the rapidity of the current, and dashed against the rocks which appear above the surface. The difficulty of avoiding this impending danger at certain states of the tide, and the roaring noise and violent agitation of the waters, have obtained for this part of the strait the appellation of the Scylla and Charybdis of Welsh mariners, of similar import with its Welsh name Pwll Ceris. At high water this terrific agitation subsides, and the appearance of the surface is smooth and tranquil, differing in no respect from the other parts of the strait. The parish, which is of inconsiderable extent, is situated on the western shore of the Menai strait, and by far the greater portion of it is enclosed and cultivated. The surrounding scenery is marked with features of rugged and romantic grandeur ; and the views over the Menai, which near this place forms a noble bend, and of the adjacent country, combine much picturesque beauty and many interesting objects. On the summit of a craggy eminence to the north of the great Holyhead road, which passes through the parish, is a lofty column, erected by the inhabitants of the counties of Anglesey and Carnarvon, to the honour of their countryman, Henry William, the present Marquis of Anglesey : on the north side of the base is an appropriate inscription, commemorating the exphoits of that gallant commander, during the campaign in Spain, in the year 1807, and at the memorable battle of Waterloo, in 1815. The village is situated on the new line of road from London to Holyhead, and at no great distance from the Menai bridge : the inhabitants are partly employed in agriculture, and partly in some extensive quarries, which are worked with considerable advantage to the proprietors. The stone dug in these quarries is a compact schistus of good quality and in considerable demand ; and every facility is afforded for its exportation by the Menai, on the shore of which a commodious wharf has been constructed. The living is a rectory, with the perpetual curacy of Llandysillio annexed, in the archdeaconry of Anglesey, and diocese of Bangor, rated in the king's books at £ 6. 15., and in the patronage of the Bishop of Bangor. The church is a small dark edifice, in a greatly dilapidated condition, and is not distinguished by any architectural details of importance. There are places of worship for Calvinistic and Wesleyan Methodists. A parochial school for the gratuitous instruction of poor children is supported by subscription. Mr. Rowlands bequeathed £21, the interest of which, together with a small rent-charge, is annually distributed among the poor of this parish. In a field near Ty Mawr are the remains of a large cromlech, partly thrown down, the table stone of which now lies upon stones which formerly supported it from the ground. The average annual expenditure for the support of the poor is £ 126. 5.

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