Clyro

Coordinates: 52°05′12″N 3°08′59″W / 52.0867°N 3.1498°W / 52.0867; -3.1498

Clyro (Welsh: Cleirwy) is a village in Powys, Wales, with approximately 600 inhabitants (2005). The nearest town is Hay-on-Wye, some 1.5 miles (2.5 km) to the south-east.

History

The name of the village is thought to derive from the Welsh for 'clear water'. Though a Roman fort has been excavated within the village, the settlement of Clyro is presumed to be early medieval.

The parish church is dedicated to Saint Michael and All Angels and was first recorded in the Valor Ecclesiasticus of 1535. It was, however, almost entirely rebuilt in the 19th century, though the base of the tower is early 15th century.

Clyro Castle was first mentioned in 1397, but may be much earlier. All that now remains is a large motte. A second motte, called Castle Kinsey and possibly built by Cadwallon ap Madog in the 12th century, is at Court Evan Gwynne just north of the village. The site is now a Radnorshire Wildlife Trust reserve called Cwm Byddog, also notable for its veteran oak pollards.