A Hermit’s Life

by · December 12, 2021

©Ieuan Morris

 

Ieuan Morris’s book Photographing Pembrokeshire – A Paradise for Pirates which we’ve been featuring on Pembrokeshire.Online is packed with brilliant pictures and fantastic stories connecting with his piratical theme.

St Govan’s Chapel (pictured above) is “hidden from the public eye beneath a cliff face near Bosherston (Llanfihangel-clogwyn-Gofan) known as St Govan’s Head”, says Ieuan.

He recounts the legend that has the Irish monk Govan being attacked by pirates and seeking refuge in “the fissure in the cliff over which the 13th-century chapel now stands”. Govan stayed and lived as a hermit, surviving on catching fish and drinking water from nearby springs. “Miraculously his handprints are allegedly still to be seen in the floor in a cave behind the chapel.”

Ieuan’s own visit here produces not only a great picture but also an insight into what happens in this secluded spot in the 21st century…

For more information on Photographing Pembrokeshire – A Paradise for Pirates (£12.99, Y Lolfa) visit www.ylolfa.com or iantomor–photography.co.uk.

Tags:

Nigel Summerley

Nigel Summerley retired from The Oldie magazine to return to freelance journalism. He previously held executive staff jobs at the London Evening Standard, The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph and the Daily Express before freelancing for 20 years for newspapers including The Times, The Sunday Times, The Independent, The Guardian and the ‘i’ paper, plus a wide range of magazines. He continues to write about music, travel and health, and blogs at www.nigel-summerley.blogspot.com.

You may also like...