The Holy Isle: A Legend of Bardsey Abbey — John Shaqi
The Holy Isle: A Legend of Bardsey AbbeyIgnatius, Father, O.S.B.
Religion
The Holy Isle: A Legend of Bardsey Abbey
Ignatius, Father, O.S.B.
Bardsey Island (Wales) -- Poetry
* * * * *
LONDON:
PRINTED BY G. J. PALMER, 32, LITTLE QUEEN STREET,
LINCOLN’S INN FIELDS.
Footnotes.
{6} The Bardsey Monks, at this time (the eighth century) doubtless wore
the black habit, but assumed the white habit of the Premonstratensians
some hundreds of years later.
{8} Aberdaron is situated on the mainland of Carnarvonshire, just five
miles from Bardsey Island, in its own snug bay shore, just round the last
point of the Promontory of Lleyn. It was the starting place of the
pilgrims for the Holy Isle.
{11} Barmouth is nearly thirty miles due east of Bardsey, across
Cardigan Bay, and quite visible on a clear day. It is a seaport of
Merionethshire.
{12a} This may seem an anachronism, but it should be remembered that
Druidism lingered a long time in Wales, after it was fairly driven from
the rest of Britain.
{12b} The Church here is dedicated to St. Cadfan.
{14} St. Dubritius spent much of his early life in Bardsey, and was
buried there.
{20} Psalm lxviii.
{23a} The Church of Aberdaron is still standing close to the sea shore,
and was roofless and going to decay, until a few years ago the present
good vicar re-roofed the holy place, which might easily be restored for
worship were £500 collected for the purpose. The parish and vicar are
too poor to do any more. I had the privilege of preaching in this holy
old temple to a large crowd of peasants last Quinquagesima Sunday.
{23b} I and a friend waited a whole week at Aberdaron this spring, but
in vain, waiting for a quiet sea, in order to visit the Holy Isle; which
is separated from the mainland by a most dangerous current.
{25} Aberdaron Church was Collegiate in after years, and served by
secular Canons.
{27} St. Dubritius attended the Council at Verulam with St. Germanus,
and is also said to have been present at the “Alleluiatic Battle.”
{30} It is said by the historians of Bardsey, that 20,000 Saints are
buried there. A Bardsey man told me the other day when I was at
Aberdaron, that he has seen perfect skeletons of tall fine men lying
perfect, in five separate layers one above another, which were exposed
near the shore of the Island, by the wind and waves. He said, too, that
he believed bodies were buried all over the Island.
{33} Ynys Enlli is the old British name for Bardsey, and means “The
Island in the _Flood_.”
{48} See Collier’s Eccles. History, Vol. ii., where an exact parallel to
this may be found.
{52} Lord Newborough is the present owner of the Holy Island. Its
present inhabitants are without a Church or Clergyman. I have written to
him to ask him to give us the Abbey Ruins, promising in return to try and
build a little Church and School there, which we would take charge of
free of expense to anyone. The good Priest of Aberdaron was much pleased
with our proposed plan.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account