Clydau

Clydau (sometimes Clydaï or Clydey) is a parish and community in the Hundred of Cilgerran in Pembrokeshire, Wales, consisting of a small group of properties around the 14th century Grade II-listed parish church, 8 km southwest of Newcastle Emlyn and 13 km southeast of Cardigan. Although Clydau is tiny, the parish is large, encompassing several larger hamlets including Bwlchygroes and Star, the village of Tegryn, and a large number of scattered farms. The community consists of the parishes of Clydey and West Cilrhedyn (3 km to the east: church at 51°59′9″N 4°30′32″W).

Map of Clydau, UK

The meaning of the Welsh placename is uncertain, although the church is now dedicated to Ste. Clydaï, an alleged daughter of Brychan. During the early Middle Ages, the present town was the site of Llangeneu ('St Ceneus'), which was accounted one of the seven principal sees of Dyfed despite having no endowment of land.

The River Cneifa, a tributary of Afon Cych, divides the parish into two ancient divisions: Uwchlawrllan to the southeast and Islawrllan to the northwest. A remote upland area with no classified roads, the community is mostly Welsh-speaking.

Census population of community 1100 (1801): 1457 (1851): 1057 (1901): 829 (1951): 681 (2001): 715 (2011). The percentage of Welsh speakers was: 99 (1891); 97 (1931); 91 (1971).

Clydau has its own elected community council and gives its name to an electoral ward of Pembrokeshire County Council. The electoral ward of Clydau covers the communities of Clydau and Boncath. It had a population (2001) of 1425, with 58% Welsh speakers.