St Patrick's Chapel

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The monument comprises the remains of a small medieval chapel, situated in a field known as Parc y Capel on the shores of Whitesand Bay. The remains are covered by a small mound of blown sand but have been previously excavated, revealing a small rectangular building measuring internally 29’ 8 by 10’6/10’10. The walls which averaged 2’ 7 in thickness were built of rough untrimmed boulders without mortar and srood to a height of between 2’ 11 x 3’ 10. A door 2’ 6 wide was found in the south wall. At the east end was an asymmetrically placed altar of rough masonry 3’ square. Various burials including one in front of the altar and two partly under the walls were found. The walls were not covered in after the excavations.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of the organisation and practice of medieval Christianity. The site forms an important element within the wider medieval landscape. The site is well preserved and retains considerable archaeological potential. There is a strong probability of the presence of evidence relating to chronology, layout, building techniques and functional detail.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.