This one-day journey takes in four sites associated with two Welsh Saints: St. Cybi and St. Seriol.
Sites to be Visited
St. Cybi's Church
Penmon Priory and St. Seriol's Well
Puffion Island Monastic Site
Journey to the Siotes Associated with St. Cybi and St. Seriol
Our journey begins at our first site, St. Cybi's Church, in Holyhead, the largest town on the Isle of Anglesey in Wales. It is located at NGR SH247826. In the 6th Century A.D., the old Roman fort in Holyhead was given to St. Cybi, who founded a monastery at the site in 540 A.D. Caergybi (or Fort of Cybi) is the Welsh name for Holyhead. St. Cybi was a first cousin of St. David, the Patron Saint of Wales.
Our next sites, Penmon Priory and St. Seriol's Well, are across the Isle of Anglesey, 30.7 miles (49.3 km) away. They are located at NGR SH630807. The monastery at Penmon was originally founded by St. Seiriol in the 6th Century A.,D. and consisted of a wooden church building and two high crosses that probably stood at the entrance to the monastic grounds. It prospered until the Viking raids of the 10th Century. St. Seiriol's Well survives near the priory and may have its origins to the monastery's earliest period. The well was built by the monks of Penmon and was believed to have healing powers by some people visiting. Detailed Driving Directions Map.
Our final site, Puffin Island. lies off the coast of Anglesey. We can only view it from the Anglesey shorelkine, however, as it requires special permission to visit. Our viewpoint is less than a mile (1.3 km) away from Penmon Priory and is located at NGR SH6481982129. The Welsh name of Puffin Island, Ynys Seiriol, refers to St. Seiriol, who established a monastic settlement on the island and on the mainland opposite the island in the 6th Century A.D. St. Seiriol is said to have been buried on the island and perhaps also King Maelgwn Gwynedd, who was the ruler of North Wales and patron of St. Seiriol in setting up the religious community. A monastery existed on the island as late as the late 12th Century, and a number of ruins of medieval monastic buildings, including the tower of a 12th Century church, still exist. Detailed Driving Directions Map.
After viewing Puffin Island, you can either return to Holyhead, 31.1 miles (50.1 km) away, or proceed to the lovely smaller town of Beaumaris, 5.1 miles (8.2 km) away, to conclude the journey.
Visitors Information
General tourist information may be found at the Visit Anglesey website.
Disclaimer
As of the date of this posting, road directions and conditions are correct. Please check local road conditions, however, for possible changes prior to venturing forth on this journey. A helpful resource for road changes and possible trip interruptions if you are travelling in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland is the AA-UK Route Planner. Another map source that this website uses and that may be useful to you on your journeys is Streetmap UK.
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