Tregarnedd, now only a farm-house, but once the residence of Ednyfed Vychan, an able chieftain to Llywelyn the Great, is in this parish.
About three miles distant on the Llanerch-y-medd road is Tregaian, the residence of Vice-Admiral Lloyd. Not far off is Maen Rhos Rhyfel, where Owen Gwynedd obtained a signal victory over an invading army of Erse, Manksmen, and Normans. The population of Llangefni is 1753.
LLANGOLLEN,
(Denbighshire.)
| Chester | 23 |
| Chirk | 7 |
| Corwen | 10 |
| London | 183 |
| Oswestry | 12 |
| Ruabon | 6 |
| Ruthin | 15 |
| Wrexham | 12 |
The name of this place is derived from the dedication of its church to an ancient British saint named Collen, whose lineage runs thus, in names almost unpronounceable by Saxon tongues—St. Collen ap Gwynnawg ap Clydawg ap Cowrda ap Caredog Freichfras ap Llyr Merim ap Einion Yrth ap Cunededd ap Wledig. The town, which is beautifully situated in a deep narrow valley, enclosed by lofty mountains, and watered by the noble stream of the Dee, appears anciently to have been protected by the neighbouring fortress of Castell Dinas Bran, situated on the summit of a vast conical hill in its neighbourhood. The houses are in general old or rather mean in appearance, though occasionally interspersed with some modern handsome dwellings; and there is excellent accommodation for the numerous visitors who frequent the neighbourhood during the summer season. The pure air and mild temperature cause a number of families to adopt this locality as a permanent retreat. The Hand, the King’s Head and Royal Hotel, are the two principal inns. Population, 1500.
Here is a stone bridge over the Dee, consisting of four pointed arches, erected in the year 1345, by John Trevor, Bishop of St. Asaph, and which was anciently regarded as one of the wonders of North Wales. The scenery of the neighbourhood is pre-eminent for its grandeur and sublimity, and for its picturesque and romantic beauty.
The church is an ancient structure, with small pretensions to architectural beauty, except some fine carvings on the roof and other parts of the interior. The view from the churchyard is remarkably pretty, embracing the bridge, the weir, and Crow Castle. The talented and self taught clerk, Mr. Jones, may be consulted by writers with profit, as a person of considerable attainments and general information. The church services are alternately in the Welsh and English language.
The market is held on Saturday, and is well supplied with butcher’s meat, but very little corn is sold. By the late act for amending the representation, Llangollen has been made a polling-place in the election of knights for the shire.