Most of what we know or have guessed about Barry and the Vale of Glamorgan in south Wales has come from observing the buildings situated there, the majority of which have been sadly neglected for far too long. There are historical tales, such as the one about Joseph of Arimathea, who traded tin in Glastonbury, just across the water and was one of the first missionaries to go to this area.
Tradition has it that the father of Caractacus took his son on a journey to Rome, where they were converted to Christianity. Later, they returned to the Vale of Glamorgan with Bran The Blessed, the missionary. It is a fact that Christianity was a popular belief there early in the Fourth Century and that south Wales sent several bishops to the Council of Rome.
St. Baruchs Church on Barry Island is one of the oldest shrines in the area, but it too is sadly dilapidated. Barry Island itself became one of the most important monastic retreats in south Wales. Steep and Flat Holms, the old Viking island settlements in the Bristol Channel just off Barry, were also significant in this regard. Another most important link in this chain was St. Illtyds Seminary of 2,200 students in Llantwit Major.
A castle was constructed on the site of an old Roman fort and naval shipyard, which had been on Porthkerry Point, although it protruded further out to sea then than it does now. Furthermore, many wolf and deer bones have been found between Barry and Sully, proving these animals’ existence there in vast numbers Arrowheads, flints, needles and coins show that people inhabited the area with them.
Barry Island was first known as Baruchs Island after St. Baruch, who was found drowned, washed up on the beach in 700 AD. He had drowned on his return from Flat Holm, where it was customary for Saints and religious students of the seminaries to spend Lent.
He and Gwelches were both students of St. Cadoc and when they had got back from Flat Holm, they realized that they had left their enchiridion (religious manual) behind. St. Cadoc made them go back for it. Neither monk returned from the trip alive.St. Illtyd, St. Baruch’s most famous disciple was educated there too.
Barry Island has had its name changed several times over the centuries. It was once called ‘Island of the Saints’ and ‘Insular of Peiros’, after St. Peiro, who was St. Illtyd’s successor at the seminary at Llantwit Major. He was also St. Samson’s luminary. There was also a St. Doeninas, who was abbot of a nearby abbey on Friars’ Point.
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