Seiriol
Encyclopedia
Seiriol was an early 6th century saint, who created a cell at Penmon Priory on Anglesey
, off the coast of north Wales
. He later moved to Ynys Seiriol (Puffin Island
). He was a son of King Owain Danwyn
of Rhos.
According to legend, he and Saint Cybi were good friends, and would meet weekly near Llanerchymedd
, at the Clorach wells. Saint Cybi would walk from Holyhead
, facing the rising sun in the morning and setting sun in the evening. Saint Cybi was known as Cybi Felyn (Cybi the Tanned), as he was tanned during his journey. Seiriol, travelling in the opposite direction, from Penmon, would have his back to the sun. Thus, he was known as Seiriol Wyn (Seiriol the Fair). Rhyd-y-Saint railway station
(English: Ford of the Saints railway station) on the Red Wharf Bay branch line
near Pentraeth
, was named so as Seiriol and Cybi are said to have met there.
Seiriol was a younger brother of King Cynlas
of Rhos and King Einion of Llŷn
. His cell at Penmon is said to have been rebuilt by his brothers, as they didn't think his humble residence was good enough. St Seiriol's Well (Ffynnon Seiriol) lies in a small chamber adjoining its remains. Both are protected by Cadw
, the publicly-funded body responsible for the historic monuments of Wales. Adjacent to them are the church and ruins of a monastery
also dating back to Seiriol's day.
In his old age, Seiriol retired to Ynys Lannog which subsequently became known (in Welsh
) as Ynys Seiriol. Later it would be known to the Viking
s as Priestholm, and is known as Puffin Island
in English since the 19th century.
Saint Seiriol is commemorated 1 February in both the Roman Catholic Church
and Orthodox Churches.
Anglesey
Anglesey , also known by its Welsh name Ynys Môn , is an island and, as Isle of Anglesey, a county off the north west coast of Wales...
, off the coast of north Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. He later moved to Ynys Seiriol (Puffin Island
Puffin Island, Anglesey
Puffin Island is an uninhabited island off the eastern tip of Anglesey, Wales. It was formerly known as Priestholm in English and Ynys Lannog in Welsh.-Geography:...
). He was a son of King Owain Danwyn
Owain Ddantgwyn
Owain Ddantgwyn is the popularly recognised form of the name of a prince of North Wales, probably a King of Rhos in the late 5th century.-Extant records:...
of Rhos.
According to legend, he and Saint Cybi were good friends, and would meet weekly near Llanerchymedd
Llanerchymedd
Llannerch-y-medd, sometimes also spelt Llanerch-y-Medd, Llannerch-y-Medd or Llanerchymedd, is a small village and community on the Isle of Anglesey in Wales. The Royal Mail postcode is LL71, and it has a population of 1,185....
, at the Clorach wells. Saint Cybi would walk from Holyhead
Holyhead
Holyhead is the largest town in the county of Anglesey in the North Wales. It is also a major port adjacent to the Irish Sea serving Ireland....
, facing the rising sun in the morning and setting sun in the evening. Saint Cybi was known as Cybi Felyn (Cybi the Tanned), as he was tanned during his journey. Seiriol, travelling in the opposite direction, from Penmon, would have his back to the sun. Thus, he was known as Seiriol Wyn (Seiriol the Fair). Rhyd-y-Saint railway station
Rhyd-y-Saint railway station
Rhyd-y-Saint railway station was situated on the Red Wharf Bay branch line between Holland Arms railway station and Benllech, the second station after the line branched from the main Anglesey Central Railway...
(English: Ford of the Saints railway station) on the Red Wharf Bay branch line
Red Wharf Bay branch line
The Red Wharf Bay branch line was a standard gauge railway line in Anglesey, Wales, a branch off the Anglesey Central Railway. It opened fully in 1909, but closed to passengers in September 1930...
near Pentraeth
Pentraeth
Pentraeth is a village on the island of Anglesey , north Wales, at . The Royal Mail postcode begins LL75.Its Welsh name means at the end of a beach, and it is located near Traeth Coch . There is a small river, Afon Nodwydd which runs through it. The village's ancient name was Llanfair Betws Geraint...
, was named so as Seiriol and Cybi are said to have met there.
Seiriol was a younger brother of King Cynlas
Cuneglas
Cuneglas . He is recorded as a son of Owain Danwyn, a popular contender for an historical basis to the famous King Arthur...
of Rhos and King Einion of Llŷn
Llyn
Llyn is the Welsh word for "lake" or, occasionally, "pond" or "pool". The word and its cognates in other Celtic languages , as well their derivatives—including lyn, lynn and lin—appear in many placenames throughout the current and former Celtic world, as, for example, in Dublin and King's...
. His cell at Penmon is said to have been rebuilt by his brothers, as they didn't think his humble residence was good enough. St Seiriol's Well (Ffynnon Seiriol) lies in a small chamber adjoining its remains. Both are protected by Cadw
Cadw
-Conservation and Protection:Many of Wales's great castles and other monuments, such as bishop's palaces, historic houses, and ruined abbeys, are now in Cadw's care. Cadw does not own them but is responsible for their upkeep and for making them accessible to the public...
, the publicly-funded body responsible for the historic monuments of Wales. Adjacent to them are the church and ruins of a monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
also dating back to Seiriol's day.
In his old age, Seiriol retired to Ynys Lannog which subsequently became known (in Welsh
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
) as Ynys Seiriol. Later it would be known to the Viking
Viking
The term Viking is customarily used to refer to the Norse explorers, warriors, merchants, and pirates who raided, traded, explored and settled in wide areas of Europe, Asia and the North Atlantic islands from the late 8th to the mid-11th century.These Norsemen used their famed longships to...
s as Priestholm, and is known as Puffin Island
Puffin Island, Anglesey
Puffin Island is an uninhabited island off the eastern tip of Anglesey, Wales. It was formerly known as Priestholm in English and Ynys Lannog in Welsh.-Geography:...
in English since the 19th century.
Saint Seiriol is commemorated 1 February in both the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
and Orthodox Churches.