I
Iddole
IDDOLE, a hamlet, in the parish of Llandeveylog, hundred of Kidwelly, union and county of
Carmarthen, South Wales, 2¾ miles (S.) from
Carmarthen; containing 184 inhabitants. It is situated near the eastern bank of the Towy, and commands many beautiful views of that river.
Ilston
ILSTON, or, as it is called by the Welsh,
LLAN-ILLTYD, a parish, in the union and hundred of Swansea, county of Glamorgan, South
Wales, 7½ miles (W. S. W.) from Swansea; containing 365 inhabitants. It is situated in the peninsula
of Gower, on or between two turnpike-roads running
through that liberty. The hamlet of Park-Mill, forming the most populous part of the parish, is yet extremely rural; and the surrounding scenery, which
is characterized by features of tranquillity and seclusion, is enlivened by the small rivulet called Pennarth Pill, winding along a beautiful dell, in which
are the ruins of an ancient chapel. On this stream a
cloth manufactory was established early in the present
century, but it has been discontinued. The living
is a rectory, rated in the king's books at £9. 6. 8.,
and in the patronage of the Lord Chancellor; present net income, £230, with a glebe-house: the
church is dedicated to St. Illtyd, from whom the
parish probably derived its name. There is a place
of worship for Calvinistic Methodists. A Sunday
school is held in connexion with the Church; and
a few shillings, the produce of some trifling benefactions, are annually distributed among the poor.
Amidst the rubbish of some limestone-quarries were
found, in 1823 and 1824, about 200 small silver
coins, of the Roman emperors, from Nero to Marcus
Aurelius inclusive. The place where they were discovered is called Pengwern, and occupies a commanding situation, plentifully supplied with water,
and well adapted for the purpose of a military station:
but no vestiges of any encampment exist, though
there are several encampments within the distance of
a few miles. The coins were found irregularly dispersed; no trace of a vase or other vessel was visible,
and it is supposed that they must have been thrown
down many years before, unobserved, by the quarrymen, from some crevice of the rock in which they
had been concealed. Part of them were discovered
among the roots of an ash-tree apparently of sixty or
seventy years' growth.
Isclydach (Is-Clydach)
ISCLYDACH (IS-CLYDACH), a township,
in the parish of Llywel, hundred of Devynock,
union and county of Brecknock, South Wales,
1½ mile (E.) from Trêcastle; containing 356 inhabitants. The name signifies "below the Clydach;"
that stream bounds the township on the west, and the
river Usk on the south, where is a bridge on the road
from Brecknock to Trêcastle. The vale along which
the former stream flows, is pleasingly diversified and
well wooded, and, like the banks of the Usk, is
ornamented with several agreeable residences. The
area of the township is 3500 acres, of which 1500 are
common or waste. The chapel of Rhŷd-y-Briw is
situated here, on the left bank of the Usk, having
been originally erected, as is supposed, for the convenience of the Penry family, of Llwyncyntevin, and
subsequently supported by the contributions of the
inhabitants of the vicinity, who subscribed 40s. per
annum towards the stipend of a clergyman. The
living is a perpetual curacy, endowed with £800
royal bounty; net income, £186: the patronage was
formerly vested in the inhabitants, but now belongs
to the incumbent of the mother church. There is a
bequest of £1 per annum for distribution among the
poor, made by Roger Jeffreys in 1714, being a rentcharge on lands near the chapel.
Iscoed (Is-Coed)
ISCOED (IS-COED), with Gwilly, a hamlet,
in the parish of Llanedy, union of Llanelly,
hundred of Carnawllon, county of Carmarthen,
South Wales, 13½ miles (N. N. W.) from Swansea:
the population is included in the return for the parish,
whereof this hamlet forms the southern portion.
Gwilly is part of the ancient lordship of Kidwelly,
which extended over a large district. The Gwilly
stream flows on the western boundary of the hamlet,
which contains some agreeable residences and wellwooded inclosures on the right bank of the Loughor
river. The road from Pont-ar-Ddulas to Carmarthen
passes through it, on elevated ground, embracing
pleasing views of a rich and cultivated country on
the right and left; it is also intersected by the road
from Pont-ar-Ddulas to Llanelly and Kidwelly, and
the Llanelly Dock railway crosses the Loughor at
Pont-ar-Ddulas.
Iscoed (Is-Coed)
ISCOED (IS-COED), with Cîlmargh, a hamlet, in the parish of Llandeveylog, hundred of
Kidwelly, union and county of Carmarthen,
South Wales, 6 miles (S. by E.) from Carmarthen;
containing 160 inhabitants. There are some respectable residences in this hamlet, which is situated on
the eastern bank of the river Towy. Near Cîlmargh
is an ancient weir on that river, and large quantities
of salmon are taken there, and conveyed to the
market of Carmarthen. A Roman road from Carmarthen to Kidwelly passed through the hamlet.
Iscoed (Is-Coed)
ISCOED (IS-COED), a township, in the parish
of Malpas, union of Ellesmere, hundred of Maelor, county of Flint, North Wales, 2½ miles
(W. N. W.) from Whitchurch; containing 515 inhabitants. This place is situated on the borders of
Cheshire and Shropshire, and is the most eastern
district in all Wales; it comprises an area of 2600
acres. The remainder of the parish is in Cheshire.
The road from Whitchurch to Wrexham passes
through the township, and the Wich brook, which
falls into the river Dee near Worthenbury, bounds it
on the north. The tithes, payable to the rector of
Malpas, have been commuted for a rent-charge of
£276. In the township is Whitewell chapel, about
four miles and a half from Malpas, in which divine
service is performed twice every Sunday. Two
schools are held in connexion with the Established
Church; one, the Iscoed Hall school, for girls, almost
entirely supported by the Godsal family; the other,
the Painter's-Green school, for boys, supported by
Joseph Lee, jun., Esq., of Red Brook, together with
an endowment of £12 per annum (bequeathed by
Mrs. Elizabeth Hanmer for the benefit of several
townships) and the addition of a few pounds a year
arising from school-pence. There are brine springs
in the neighbourhood.
Iscoed (Is-Coed)
ISCOED (IS-COED), a hamlet, in the parish
of Penegoes, union and hundred of Machynlleth,
county of Montgomery, North Wales, 2 miles
(E. N. E.) from Machynlleth; containing 369 inhabitants. The road from Machynlleth to Mallwyd,
along the left bank of the Dovey, which here receives
the Dulas and other streams, passes through the
hamlet, and is for a few miles skirted with thriving
hedge-rows, and rich meadows and corn-fields, backed
by verdant hills. The hamlet contains several neat
cottages and respectable villas, amongst which is
Dôlgïog, on the left bank of the Dovey, the ancient
retreat of the Welsh poet, Llywarch Hên, where, by
the strains of his harp, he soothed the remembrance
of his misfortunes. The parochial church is situated
within its limits.
Ishmael's (St.)
ISHMAEL'S (ST.), a parish, in the hundred
of Kidwelly, union and county of Carmarthen,
South Wales, 9 miles (S. by W.) from Carmarthen;
containing 895 inhabitants. It is situated on the seashore, and some of the inhabitants obtain a livelihood
by taking fish, which are found here in considerable
abundance, especially cockles and muscles. The
parish is bounded on the west by the navigable river
Towy, and comprises 3337 acres, whereof 121 are
common or waste; the soil is peculiarly suited to the
growth of barley, which is produced of very fine
quality. It contains the improving village of Ferryside, which is described under its appropriate head;
also the seat called Iscoed, an elegant mansion,
erected by Sir William Mansel, Bart., and now the
property of a nephew of the late General Sir Thomas
Picton, G.C.B., who purchased the estate from the
son of Sir William, and who, after eminently distinguishing himself in the continental war, fell in the
battle of Waterloo. Pengay was the seat of the late
J. H. Bevan, Esq., one of the few persons to whom
the country is indebted for the introduction of the
Norfolk and other improved systems of agriculture;
this mansion commands a most delightful sea-view,
comprehending the distant shores of Devonshire and
Cornwall. The line of the South Wales railway
will run through the parish.
The living is a discharged vicarage, rated in the
king's books at £7, and in the patronage of the Lord
Chancellor: the vicarial tithes have been commuted
for a rent-charge of £137; there is a glebe-house,
situated on the bank of the Towy, and the glebe is
valued at £60 per annum. The church is built upon
a rock near the sea-shore, and at high tides the waves
approach within thirty yards of its base. In the
parish is a chapel of ease, called Llansaint chapel,
occupying a very elevated site, its lofty tower forming a conspicuous object, and a well-known landmark
to mariners approaching the coast. At Ferryside is
a separate incumbency. There are three Sunday
schools, one at Ferryside, in connexion with the
Church; another at the same place, held by the Particular Baptists in their meeting-house there; and
the third at Llansaint, where the Calvinistic Methodists have a meeting-house, in which they hold the
school. A bequest of 10s. per annum left by Ann
Thomas, in 1774, is given in flannel to three poor
persons. In this neighbourhood was Cevn Sidan, a
sand-bank highly dangerous, and dreaded by sailors,
but it has almost entirely disappeared within the last
fifteen years. On a farm called Pen Allt are some
remains of old walls, overspread with ivy; and according to tradition a monastery existed here, of which,
however, no account has been preserved.
Ishmael's (St.)
ISHMAEL'S (ST.), a parish, in the union of
Haverfordwest, hundred of Rhôs, county of Pembroke, South Wales, 5½ miles (W. by N.) from
Milford; containing 502 inhabitants. It is situated
on the northern shore of Milford Haven, and is separated from the parish of Herbrandston by Sandy
haven. There are several respectable residences
within its limits, though not entitled to notice as seats
of importance; the principal is a neat residence, supposed to have been originally a grange belonging to
Hubberston Priory. Monk haven, a small estuary,
forms a convenient landing-place for boats, and is
much frequented as a bathing station, being peculiarly sheltered from the south-west wind, the prevailing wind on this coast. The living is a discharged
vicarage, rated in the king's books at £6. 12. 8½.,
endowed with £200 royal bounty, and in the patronage of the Lord Chancellor: the vicarial tithes have
been commuted for £120, with a glebe of nearly
seven acres and a quarter, valued at £10 per annum.
The church is romantically situated in a deep sequestered valley, on Monk haven, which falls into Milford Haven a short distance below; on its bank are
also situated the glebe and parsonage-house, the
latter a neat cottage ornée in the Elizabethan style,
with a flower-garden and shrubbery between it and
the church, and a small stream flowing through the
lawn in front. There are places of worship for Baptists and Independents. A day school and a Sunday
school are held, in connexion with the Church. £1,
a portion of a rent-charge of £6 issuing out of Butter
Hill, in the parish, bequeathed by Thomas Roche,
Esq., is distributed among poor parishioners, chiefly
widows, at Christmas. Immediately above the church
is a tenement called Monks, supposed to have been
connected with the priory of Hubberston. In the
village is a remarkable tumulus, but nothing is known
of its history, nor does it appear to have been
opened. St. Ishmael's, it is said, was the final retreat of Caradoc of Llancarvan, the celebrated historian of Wales, who here spent the latter years of
his life in retirement and seclusion, and after his
decease was interred with great pomp in the cathedral of St. David's.
Ismorlais (Is-Morlais)
ISMORLAIS (IS-MORLAIS), a hamlet, in
the parish of Llannon, poor-law union of Llanelly,
hundred of Carnawllon, county of Carmarthen,
South Wales, 14 miles (S. E.) from Carmarthen:
the population is returned with the parish. A stream
named Morlais rises here, and, after passing Llangennech, falls into the Loughor river. The church
and village of Llannon are situated within the limits
of this hamlet.
Issel's, St. (St. Issell)
ISSEL'S, ST. (ST. ISSELL), a parish, in
the union and hundred of Narberth, county of
Pembroke, South Wales, 3½ miles (N.) from
Tenby; containing, with the village of Saundersfoot,
1552 inhabitants. The parish is situated at the
western extremity of Carmarthen bay, and has its
surface singularly diversified with abrupt and precipitous eminences and deep dingles, which, being
richly wooded, form a striking contrast to the dingy
and sterile appearance occasioned by the coal-mines
in the immediate vicinity. But the greatest ornament of this part of the county is the wooded eminence on which stands the seat of Hean Castle.
This house commands extensive marine views, embracing a great variety of beautiful and romantic
scenery along the coast: the estate attached to it
formerly belonged to the Wogans of Wiston, from
whom it passed to its present proprietor, by marriage
with one of the co-heiresses of that family. Kilgetty,
an ancient mansion in the parish, in which the late
Lord Milford was born, is now in the occupation of
a farmer, and going to decay. The sands on the
coast are extremely favourable for sea-bathing, and
a few families, who wish retirement and tranquillity,
resort hither during the summer season, preferring
the humbler, but more peaceable, accommodations
which the inns of this parish afford, to the gaieties
of Tenby. The beach abounds with most of the
species of shells found at Tenby, and numerous fossil
remains are discovered in the mines, at a great depth
from the surface. The turtle, or "scorpion" stone,
as it is here called, is frequently met with; it is
susceptible of a beautiful polish.
The parish abounds with excellent coal and culm,
of which great quantities are raised; the anthracite
coal-field here contains ninety-five per cent. of carbon.
There is also an abundance of ironstone and limestone.
The ironstone was formerly wrought extensively by
the Penbrey Iron Company; and from the improvements about to be made at Saundersfoot, it seems
likely to be again worked by another company on a
large scale; if, indeed, operations have not already
been commenced for working and smelting the ore.
Saundersfoot is a thriving coal-port, picturesquely
situated in a sheltered part of the bay: the harbour
belongs to a company formed in 1829; it is artificial,
protected by piers, and connected with the collieries
of St. Issel's and the neighbouring parish of Begelly
by tramways. In 1846 an act was passed for the
formation of the Tenby, Saundersfoot, and South
Wales railway company, who have power to purchase
all the works at Saundersfoot, and intend to carry out
important improvements. The line will commence
at Tenby, have a short branch to Saundersfoot, proceed through the parish of Begelly, and terminate in
junction with the great South Wales railway at Reynoldston. At present, however, its construction has
not even been begun, owing to the delay that has
taken place in the formation of the South Wales
line, which is not likely to be brought into this part
of the country for some time.
The living is a discharged vicarage, rated in the
king's books at £3. 17. 6., and endowed with £600
royal bounty, and £400 parliamentary grant; patrons
and impropriators, the Dean and Chapter of St.
David's: the vicarial tithes have been commuted for
a rent-charge of £105, and those payable to the
chapter for one of £140; attached to the vicarage
are also a house, and a glebe of ten acres valued at
£8 per annum. The church is romantically situated
in one of the richly-wooded dells with which the
parish abounds, and is a neat structure in the early
style of English architecture, with a square embattled
tower, seen to great advantage above the wood in
which it is embosomed. There is a place of worship
for Calvinistic Methodists. John Jones, Esq., in
1712, bequeathed £300 in trust for the gratuitous
instruction of fifteen boys and fifteen girls, the children of poor parents in the parish; the interest is
£15 per annum, and is applied towards the support
of a National school, held in a school-house erected
in the churchyard. Three Sunday schools are supported, one of them in connexion with the Church,
another belonging to the Calvinistic Methodists, and
the third to the Wesleyans.
Is-Y-Coed
IS-Y-COED, a parochial chapelry, in the parish
of Holt, union of Wrexham, hundred of Bromfield, county of Denbigh, North Wales, 5 miles
(E.) from Wrexham; comprising the townships of
Cacca-Dutton, Dutton-y-Brân, Dutton-Difieth, Ridley, and Sutton, each of which is separately assessed
for the maintenance of its poor; and containing
576 inhabitants. This place is pleasantly situated
on the western bank of the river Dee, by which
goods and merchandise may be conveyed to Chester;
but there is neither any trade, beyond what is necessary for the supply of the inhabitants, nor any
manufacture carried on in the village, the inhabitants
of which are chiefly employed in agriculture. The
living is a perpetual curacy, endowed with £1200
royal bounty and £1200 parliamentary grant, and
in the patronage of the Dean and Chapter of Winchester; net income, £79, with a glebe-house. The
present church, dedicated to St. Paul, was built in
1829, by subscription, aided by a grant from the
Incorporated Society for building and enlarging
churches and chapels, and is capable of accommodating 300 persons. There are one or two places
of worship for dissenters. Several small charitable
bequests have been made for distribution among the
poor.
Is-Y-Garreg (Is-Carreg)
IS-Y-GARREG (IS-CARREG), a township, in
the parish, union, and hundred of Machynlleth,
county of Montgomery, North Wales, 2 miles
(S. W.) from the town of Machynlleth; containing
474 inhabitants. Many pleasing views are obtained
hence of the river Dovey, from Cemmes to its influx
into Cardigan bay; but some parts of the township
present lofty mountains and barren wastes, especially
that portion bordering on Cardiganshire. There are
slate-quarries and lead-mines, but the latter are not
now worked. Several respectable residences are
scattered over the lower part of the township, which
is bounded on the north by the Dovey, and on the
west by the Llyvnant river. A small detached portion of it is included within the boundaries of the
borough of Machynlleth.
Is-Y-Graig (Is-Craig)
IS-Y-GRAIG (IS-CRAIG), a hamlet, in the
parish of Llanddwywau, union of Dôlgelley,
hundred of Ardudwy, county of Merioneth,
North Wales, 4 miles (N. by W.) from Barmouth;
containing 288 inhabitants. It is bounded on the
west by the bay of Cardigan, which here forms an
irregular strand, with crags and rude precipices, extending from a chain of the Merionethshire mountains. A remarkable sand-bank, termed the Causeway, or Sarn Badrig, stretches from this coast into
the bay in a south-western direction, twenty-one
miles, of which about nine miles are dry at low water.
In several parts it is covered only to the depth of half
a fathom at flood tide, but there are three breaches in
it, through which vessels may pass. Some have considered it an artificial construction, and suppose that
it formed a part of the Cantrêv Gwaelod, or "the
lowland hundred," which was overwhelmed by the sea
at the close of the fifth century. The vulgar notion
is, that it was constructed, as the name implies, by
Saint Patrick, who is said to have been born in this
neighbourhood, at Gwaredog in Arvon, previously to
his mission to Ireland. The general aspect of the
hamlet, which contains the parish church, is rugged
and mountainous: agriculture and the manufacture
of webs are the chief employment of the inhabitants.
A small canal has been constructed, running parallel
with, and at a short distance from, the coast, for the
purpose of conveying the waters of two small streams
to the creek near Llandanwg church.