St Ishmael, Carmarthenshire

Hamlet and community in Carmarthenshire, Wales

For the community in Pembrokeshire, see St Ishmaels.

Hamlet and community in Wales

St Ishmael

Hamlet and community

View of St Ishmael, on the East of the River Towy, taken from Llansteffan Castle on the West.

St Ishmael

Location within Carmarthenshire

Principal area|

* Carmarthenshire

Country| Wales
Sovereign state| United Kingdom
Police| Dyfed-Powys
Fire| Mid and West Wales
Ambulance| Welsh

List of places

Wales
Carmarthenshire

51°44′42″N 4°22′12″W﻿ / ﻿51.745°N 4.370°W﻿ / 51.745; -4.370

Map of the community

St Ishmael (Welsh: Llanismel or Llanishmael) is a hamlet[1] and community in Carmarthenshire, Wales. The community population taken at the 2011 census was 1,327.[2] It comprises the villages of Ferryside and Llansaint and the surrounding rural areas. The community is bordered by the communities of: Llandyfaelog; Kidwelly; Pembrey and Burry Port Town; and Llansteffan, all being in Carmarthenshire. It is named for the 6th-century Breton prince and Welsh saint Isfael.[3]

## History

[edit]

In 2017, a 12th century medieval settlement was discovered in St Ishmael during an archaeological dig, which determined that it had been abandoned.[4] This came after winds in 1999 had blown sands away, revealing medieval walls and cooking vessels.[5] In 2012, a Bronze Age hoard of treasure was found in St Ishmael, which included 13 bronze items dating to 1000 BC.[6] The church, around which the hamlet is centred, was first mentioned as standing in 1115.[7]

## Governance

[edit]

An electoral ward in the same name existed. This ward stretched north from St. Ishmael to include Llandyfaelog, with a total population of 2,674.[8] Local county councillor, Mair Stephens, died on 9 January 2022 after a long illness. She had been an Independent county councillor for St Ishmael since 2004, becoming deputy leader of the county council.[9]

Following a local government boundary review (and despite opposition from St Ishmael's and Llandyfaelog's community councils), the St Ishmael ward was reconfigured, losing Llandyfaelog and combining with neighbouring Kidwelly to become 'Kidwelly and St Ishmael' from the May 2022 local elections. The new ward elects two county councillors.[10]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "St Ishmael, Carmarthenshire (Sir Gaerfyrddin)". OS GetOutside. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
2. ^ "2011 Key Census statistics" (PDF). Carmarthenshire County Council. p. 51. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
3. ^ Baring-Gould, Sabine (2005). The Lives of the British Saints. Vol. 3\. Kessinger Publishing. p. 323\. ISBN 9780766187665.
4. ^ "Forgotten medieval village discovered in St Ishmael". BBC News. 30 September 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
5. ^ "St Ishmaels, Deserted Medieval Settlement, St Ishmael's". Coflein. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
6. ^ "Bronze age hoard found in West Wales farm declared treasure". Wales Online. 25 February 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
7. ^ "St Ishmael - St Ismael's Church". Ancient and Medieval Architecture. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
8. ^ "Ward population 2011". Retrieved 16 April 2015.
9. ^ Robert Harries (11 January 2022). "Tributes paid to 'phenomenal' Carmarthenshire council deputy leader Mair Stephens who has died". Wales Online. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
10. ^ "Review of the Electoral Arrangements of the County of Carmarthenshire – Final Recommendations Report" (PDF). Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales. October 2019. pp. 33–36. Retrieved 23 July 2022.

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Communities of Carmarthenshire

* Abergwili
* Abernant
* Ammanford
* Betws
* Bronwydd
* Carmarthen
* Cenarth
* Cilycwm
* Cilymaenllwyd
* Cwmamman
* Cynwyl Elfed
* Cynwyl Gaeo
* Dyffryn Cennen
* Eglwyscummin
* Gorslas
* Henllanfallteg
* Kidwelly
* Laugharne Township
* Llanarthney
* Llanboidy
* Llanddarog
* Llanddeusant
* Llanddowror
* Llandeilo
* Llandovery
* Llandybie
* Llandyfaelog
* Llanedi
* Llanegwad
* Llanelli
* Llanelli Rural
* Llanfair-ar-y-bryn
* Llanfihangel Aberbythych
* Llanfihangel-ar-Arth
* Llanfihangel Rhos-y-Corn
* Llanfynydd
* Llangadog
* Llangain
* Llangathen
* Llangeler
* Llangennech
* Llangunnor
* Llangyndeyrn
* Llangynin
* Llangynog
* Llanllawddog
* Llanllwni
* Llannon
* Llanpumsaint
* Llansadwrn
* Llansawel
* Llansteffan
* Llanwinio
* Llanwrda
* Llanybydder
* Llanycrwys
* Manordeilo and Salem
* Meidrim
* Myddfai
* Newcastle Emlyn
* Newchurch and Merthyr
* Pembrey and Burry Port Town
* Pencarreg
* Pendine
* Pontyberem
* Quarter Bach
* St Clears
* St Ishmael
* Talley
* Trelech
* Trimsaran
* Whitland

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