SIX FORGOTTEN SAINTS TO TRACK DOWN

CENNYDD 6th century

Cast adrift as a child, Cennydd was allegedly rescued and raised by gulls on Burry Holms, Gower. At his church in Llangennydd, near Crickhowell, a giant gull is hoisted up the tower every 5 July. A stained-glass image of Cennydd (pictured) can be found at St Gabriel’s church, Swansea. Llangennith, Swansea SA3 1HU

MÁELRUBAI / MAELRHUBBA 642–722

An Irish saint who founded a monastery in Wester Ross, Máelrubai later became a hermit on Isle Maree before being killed by Vikings.

His holy well survives. Hire a kayak to visit the island on Loch Maree (pictured). visitscotland. com/info/tours/paddle-the-islands-ofwester-ross-loch-maree-079c4d45

MAUGHOLD d. 488

Legend has it that Maughold was an Irish bandit who was converted by St Patrick before crossing the sea to the Isle of Man and living a devout life in a cave. His church (pictured) contains important Celtic crosses and an ancient holy well. visitisleofman.com/ experience/kirk-maughold-church-p1312271

MORWENNA 6th century

Morwenna was a Welsh princess who trained in Ireland before sailing to Cornwall, where she built a church for local people by hand. Her church and holy well are at Morwenstow, where she appears in a stained-glass window (pictured). chct.info/histories/morwenstowst-morwenna-st-john-the-baptist

NINIAN d. 432

Ninian evangelised the Picts of Scotland and northern England, inspiring dozens of dedicated chapels. Many can be visited on the 250-mile St Ninian’s Way from Carlisle to South Queensferry. St Ninian’s Priory Church, Whithorn holds a stained-glass image of the saint (pictured). britishpilgrimage.org/portfolio/st-ninians-way

NON 5th–6th century

St David’s mother Non became pregnant after being raped. Her chapel (pictured) – apparently built on the site where she gave birth to David – stands near Caerfai on St David’s Head in Pembrokeshire, while nearby is her holy well, regarded as one of the most sacred in Wales. stnonsretreat.org.uk