Christian Designs in St Illtyd's church, Caldey Island. Priory church 117580_Caldey
Caldey Island (called in Welsh, Ynys Bŷr, after an early abbot) lies south of Tenby in Pembrokeshire, Wales. The island is home to a small village, but is best known for its monastery. Caldey Island is separated from the mainland by the Caldey Sound which is 1 km to 2 km wide between Caldey Island and the coast of Pembrokeshire. A ferry service from Tenby crosses the sound during spring and summer. Limestone was quarried here in the 19th century and taken to local lime kilns, some even going as far afield as the Annery kiln on the Torridge in North Devon. A Celtic monastery was founded on the island in the sixth century, and a Benedictine foundation existed from 1136 until the dissolution of the monasteries in 1536. An Anglican Benedictine community, led by Dom Aelred Carlyle, came in 1906 and built the current abbey. They were received into the Roman Catholic Church in 1913, but left Caldey in 1925 due to financial difficulties and moved to Prinknash Abbey. The Cistercians, who now occupy the abbey, came in 1929 from Scourmont Abbey in Belgium. Boats sail to the island from Tenby during the summer months. Attractions on Caldey include a Norman chapel, a twelfth century church, the sixth century Ogham cross, and the twentieth century Abbey. Caldey Lighthouse was built in 1828. The principal income for the island is tourism, with perfume and chocolate production providing winter incomes. The monastery opened an internet shop in 2001. Their lavender perfume is said to be "simply the best lavender soliflore on earth" by the perfume critic Luca Turin. The island also provides a spiritual retreat throughout the year. There is a private guesthouse on the island as well as a fire engine, ambulance and a Coastguard team. The island's name 'Caldey' comes from the Viking name Keld-Eye meaning "cold island".
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Location: Caldey Island, Pembrokeshire wales UK
Photo credit: © DV TRAVEL / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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Keywords: ancient, benedictine, caldey, church, cistercians, destination, illtyd, island, lifestyle, monastery, monks, ogham, pembrokeshire, retreat, st, stone, tenby, travel, wales, welsh
