St Brynach's Church (Cwmyreglwys)

The ruins of this 12th Century church are located on the north coast in the small village of Cwmyreglwys. The site was originally occupied by a chapel founded by St Brynach who came from Ireland. Most of his dedicated churches are found on coastal routes to Ireland. He was thought to have been a forerunner of St Francis of Assisi because he had a magical way with animals and birds.

Legends tell that he fled to Cwmyreglwys, pursued by evil spirits, en route to Nevern where he settled. Another story says that the daughter of a ruling nobleman tried to seduce Brynach but he fled from her advances. She then sent soldiers to kill him for rejecting her, so he fled and escaped to Pembrokeshire.

All that remains of the church is the old bell tower and part of the west wall. However, the ruinous condition of the building is not due to years of neglect, but the great storm of October 1859. Another storm in 1979 caused even more damage to the churchyard, leaving very little of the original building.