It wasn’t what I was expecting to see in the middle of the beautiful curve of Trearddur Bay, one of the jewels of the island of Anglesey, off the North Wales coast.

But the more I looked at it, the more perfect its setting – like the ‘collector’ at the parabolic point of focus of a radio telescope’s dish. And how fitting that image is…

Saint Ffraid, the patron saint of Trearddur Bay, is the name on the cross. She was born in Faughart, Ireland in about 450 AD. The Millennium Celtic Cross, above the beach at Trearddur and bearing her name, was erected to mark the new century.

The name Saint Ffraid is the Welsh version of Saint Bride (or “Brigid”). She set up a monastery in Kildare in the late 5th century, and was known as the Virgin of Kildare.

Legend claims she was carried over the Irish Sea, and arrived at Trearddur Bay beach on a square of green turf. I understand the colour link with Ireland, but there may be more to the symbolism: squares tend to be associated with spiritual states…

Half way up the 8 foot high cross, made from Anglesey limestone from Moelfre Quarry, is a carving representing a hand carrying a flame.

This symbolises the light from Kildare, Ireland.

At the head of the cross you can see the beautifully carved “Cross of Peace”.

The words “St. Bride, Pray for Us” are inscribed in four languages, English, Latin, Irish and Welsh; one on each side of the plinth.

Even in the middle of a summer rainstorm – or perhaps because of that – it was a striking object of great beauty.

©Stephen Tanham 2023

Stephen Tanham is a Director of the Silent Eye, a journey through the forest of personality to the dawn of Being.

http://www.thesilenteye.co.uk and http://www.suningemini.blog