Llanybri Explained

Country:Wales
Static Image Name:Gate to the Old Chapel, Llanybri.jpg
Static Image Caption:Yr Hen Gapel (The Old Chapel)
Constituency Welsh Assembly:Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire
Official Name:Llanybri
Coordinates:51.7869°N -4.4122°W
Community Wales:Llansteffan
Unitary Wales:Carmarthenshire
Lieutenancy Wales:Dyfed
Constituency Westminster:Caerfyrddin
Post Town:CARMARTHEN
Postcode District:SA33
Postcode Area:SA
Dial Code:01267

Llanybri is a rural farming village situated between the estuaries of the River Tywi and River Taf in Carmarthenshire, Wales. It is one of two villages with their own churches in the community of Llansteffan (the other being Llansteffan on the Tywi estuary).

Description and history

Llanybri developed, under the ownership of the Lords of Llansteffan and Penrhyn, around a central open area of common land and a chapel dedicated to St Mary. The chapel was known as 'Morabrichurch' in the 14th century and by the 16th century was called 'Marbell Church'. The village lay at the junction of seven roads.[1]

The chapel had become an Independent church by 1790. It eventually closed in 1962. After a fire, most of the church building was demolished, though the tower became a Grade II listed building.[2] It is known as 'Yr Hen Gapel' (meaning 'The Old Chapel').

The Holy Trinity Church and a non-conformist chapel were built in the 19th century at opposite ends of the village.

Writers

The writers Lynette Roberts and Keidrych Rhys lived in the village. Dylan Thomas was a frequent visitor to the village pub, the Farmers' Arms, both when he lived near Llansteffan and in Laugharne. The landlady gave an account of his visits.[3]

Thomas' maternal aunt, Anne Gwyn, once lived in Plas Uchaf, while one of his great-aunts had lived in Plas Isaf.[4]

References

  1. Web site: 153 Llanybri and Llansteffan Strip Fields . Dyfed Archaeological Trust. 25 May 2023.
  2. Web site: Yr Hen Gapel, Llanybri . . 25 May 2023.
  3. D. N Thomas (2003), Dylan Remembered 1914-1934, pp. 254-255, Seren
  4. Web site: Dylan Thomas: A True Childhood. sites.google.com.

External links