 Map of Caldey Island from 1952 |
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
  Caldey Island (Dyfed, Wales)
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| Location | Celtic Sea |
| Coordinates | 51°38′N 4°41′W / 51.64°N 4.69°W |
| Country | |
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Wales
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| County | Pembrokeshire |
| Demographics | |
| Ethnic groups | Welsh people |
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 1km to 2km 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, lead by 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 Reformed Cistercians, now in residence, 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.[1] 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".
References
- ^ Monks get internet shopping habit, BBC News, 24 October 2001. Retrieved on 7 May 2009.
External links
- Official Caldey Island website
- The monks installed a television set as a 'one-off' to watch the funeral of Pope John Paul II
- Photos of Caldey Island and surrounding area on geograph.org.uk
Coordinates: 51°38′14″N 4°41′08″W / 51.63722°N 4.68556°W
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