Bardsey Island, off the coast of Gwynedd, is home to an astonishing 183 fields, each carrying a unique name that offers a poignant glimpse into its rich history. The recent exploration of Ynys Enlli has revealed how these ancient Welsh designations provide a vivid window into its past, far surpassing the oft-cited claim of 20,000 saints buried there.
The single road on the island serves as a central artery, connecting a landscape where every field name tells a story. Some names directly reference individuals who once lived and worked there, such as 'Bet', 'Cristin', 'Sionyn', and 'Siôn'. Others meticulously detail agricultural practices that sustained the community, like 'pedol' (iron-shod ponies), 'had' (seeds), 'weirglodd' (hay meadows), and 'sofl' (stubble after harvest).
The field names also illuminate specific farming techniques. For example, 'Cae Calch' points to the historical practice of spreading lime to enrich the soil, while 'cae gwrachod' (witches' field) suggests a local folklore that spoke not of a single witch, but of many. This intricate naming system illustrates a rich cultural and agricultural heritage that once defined life on Ynys Enlli.
Today, the intensive cultivation reflected in these names has largely faded, with only a few hundred sheep now grazing fields like 'cae’r ŵyn' (lamb field). The island's landscape has transformed, with rusting ploughs and old pigsties overgrown with nettles. This shift underscores the profound changes in agricultural methods and population over the decades, yet the field names persist as a tangible link to a bygone era.
The preservation of these historical field names is crucial for understanding the evolving identity of Ynys Enlli. They serve not only as a memory of lost farming traditions and departed islanders but also as a contextual tool for a changing world, offering a 'seed of what could yet be again one day' and suggesting a potential for renewed appreciation and understanding of the island's deep historical and cultural significance within Wales.