About Caldey Island
Caldey is a small island off the SW coast of mainland Wales, near Tenby in Pembrokeshire. With a recorded history going back over 1500 years, it is known as one of Holy Islands of Britain, and a number of traditions inherited from Celtic times are observed by the Cistercian monks who are the chief inhabitants and owners of the island today. At its closest point, Caldey lies 1km south of the mainland, though the usual access to the island is by small boat from the town of Tenby which is some 4km to the north. The island's population consists of 40 permanent residents and a varying number of Cistercian monks, known as Trappists, whose predecessors migrated there from Belgium in the early 20th century, taking over from Anglican Benedictines who had bought the island in 1906 and built the extant monastery and abbey but later got into financial difficulties. Today the monks farm the island, chiefly raising dairy cattle, and make a range of items including cheese, shortbread, perfumes and toiletries. In the spring and summer, visitors are ferried to Caldey, not only to visit the sacred sanctuary but also to view the island's rich wildlife. Name originsThe island was named Ynys Bŷr for Saint Pyr, the sixth century saint, and Pyr is named as abbot of the monastery around the year 500 in the Life of St Samson. This Welsh name has remained in use since Medieval times, but the Old Welsh name of the island before St Pyr's day is unknown.
Caldey Island Description
Caldey is a small island off the SW coast of mainland Wales, near Tenby in Pembrokeshire. With a recorded history going back over 1500 years, it is known as one of Holy Islands of Britain, and a number of traditions inherited from Celtic times are observed by the Cistercian monks who are the chief inhabitants and owners of the island today. At its closest point, Caldey lies 1km south of the mainland, though the usual access to the island is by small boat from the town of Tenby which is some 4km to the north. The island's population consists of 40 permanent residents and a varying number of Cistercian monks, known as Trappists, whose predecessors migrated there from Belgium in the early 20th century, taking over from Anglican Benedictines who had bought the island in 1906 and built the extant monastery and abbey but later got into financial difficulties. Today the monks farm the island, chiefly raising dairy cattle, and make a range of items including cheese, shortbread, perfumes and toiletries. In the spring and summer, visitors are ferried to Caldey, not only to visit the sacred sanctuary but also to view the island's rich wildlife. Name originsThe island was named Ynys Bŷr for Saint Pyr, the sixth century saint, and Pyr is named as abbot of the monastery around the year 500 in the Life of St Samson. This Welsh name has remained in use since Medieval times, but the Old Welsh name of the island before St Pyr's day is unknown.