Caldey Island
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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.
A Celtic monastery was founded on the island in the sixth century, and a Benedictine foundation existed from 1136 until 1536, and again from 1906. The present monastery is Reformed Cistercian.
Attractions on Caldey include a Norman chapel, a twelfth century church, the sixth century Ogham cross, the twentieth century Caldey Abbey taken over by Trappists of the Belgian Chimay Abbey from the Benedictines who moved to Prinknash Abbey. Caldey Lighthouse was built in 1828.
Boats sail to the island from Tenby during the summer months. The principal income for the island is tourism, with perfume and chocolate production providing winter incomes. The Island also provides a spiritual retreat throughout the year.
There is a private guesthouse on the island as well as a Fire engine, and ambulance and a Coastguard team.
The Island's name 'Caldey' comes from the Viking Name Keld-Eye meaning "cold island".
[edit] 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
- Silence is golden for monks of Caldey Island
