Moel y Llyn, Ceulanamaesmawr, Ceredigion
This site was first mentioned in print in 1847, in a report of the first field meeting of the Cambrian Archaeological Association, based at Aberystwyth. Following a visit to Bedd Taliesin, the Cambrians tramped across about 2 miles of rough ground to the two stone circles: the report did not explain how they knew that the circles were there. This report became the basis of subsequent references to them in several guidebooks, some of which miss-stated the circumference of the larger circle. The larger circle was observed again by 1873 when it was reported to have been known locally as “Cylch Derwyddol” (Druidic circle), but, despite assiduous searching, it was not found again until 1981 by Dr Peter Manning. In 1983 he found another circle, possibly the smaller one mentioned by the Cambrians. In the 1874 edition of Morgan’s guide to Aberystwyth, the editor miss-quoted the number of stones in the larger circle as seen by the Cambrians as 26 (they saw 76) as did Briggs in both his references to the site (1982, 1994).
The larger circle now comprises 33 low standing stones and one leaning slab which form an oval measuring about 23m (75.5 feet) N-S. The present number of stones and diameter of the smaller circle has not been recorded.
Although the larger circle was mentioned in three guidebooks, it does not seem to have attracted the considerable attention that nearby supposed site of Taliesin’s grave did (about 40 published references before 1900), but which similarly did not lure many tourists to visit it.
Record of the site on Coflein
Record on the site on Archwilio
Scheduled monument record
Some 33 stones set in a circle 19 metres (62 ft) across on exposed moorland, east of Tal-y-bont, near Fridd Newydd. Also called Cylch Derwyddol and Moel Llyn, it was first noted in 1847.
Cadw Record
The monument comprises the remains of a stone circle, also known as Moel y Llyn, and associated standing stone, both probably dating to the Bronze Age (c. 2300 – 800 BC). They are located in a saddle between Moel y Llyn to the E and Moel y Garn to the W. The stone circle (Item ‘A’) is oval in shape on plan and measures c. 23m N-S by 21.5m E-W. It consists of 33 orthostats, none of which measure more than 0.4m in height. The W side of the stone circle is better preserved than the E side. An earthfast standing stone (Item ‘B’) is located c. 30m to the W of Item ‘A’ and measures c. 0.3m in height.
Summary of source information
| date | author | no. stones | circumference in feet | diameter in feet | |
| 1847 | Cambrians | 76 | 228 | ||
| 1848 | Morgan | 76 | 76 [sic] | ||
| 1848 | Cliffe | 76 | 228 | ||
| 1867 | Morgan | 26 | 76 [sic] | ||
| 1873 | J.H.S.E | 40 | 180 | Cylch Derwyddol | |
| 1878 | Jenkinson | 76 | 230 | ||
| 1878 | Groves | 26 | 76 [sic] | ||
| 1981 | Manning | 32 | (originally 36-40 stones) | ||
| 1982 | Briggs | 26 | miss-quoting Cambrians report | ||
| 1994 | Briggs | 33 | [220-237] | 70-75.5 | with plan |
Descriptions of the site, in chronological order
1808
It seems unlikely that Meyrick had observed the stone circle but he described one of several cairns found near it.
And on the top of a mountain, called Moel Llyn, is a carnedd, or heap of stones, erected in commemoration of some event, though what, is not at this time known.
Meyrick, Samuel, The History and Antiquities of the County of Cardigan, (1808), p. 433; (2nd edition, 1907), p. 321
Meyrick did not include this site in his list of stone circles in Cardiganshire.
Stanton Drew, in Somersetshire … exhibits the remains of a druidical temple of three circles of stones. Rollright, in Oxfordshire, a single circle, and many others, are formed from the pure principles of the bardic circles; and we may notice those in Cardiganshire, situated, one in Duffren [sic] Castell [probably Dolgamfa], which is a circle composed at present of eleven stones; another above Ystradmeurig; and a third on Alltgoch [Lampeter].
Meyrick, Samuel, The History and Antiquities of the County of Cardigan, (1808), p. lxxxvii; (2nd edition, 1907), pp. 39-40
1847
From the grave [Taliesin’s] the party proceeded on foot two or three miles up the mountains in the direction of Plynlummon, and discovered two druidic circles, one of which consisted of about seventy-six upright stones, forming a circle of two hundred and twenty-eight feet in circumference, situate on the mountain above Nant-y-nod. A smaller circle is situated higher up the mountain, and is about ninety feet in circumference.
Anon, ‘Aberystwyth meeting’, Archaeologia Cambrensis, (October 1847), p. 357
1848
About two or three miles up the mountain, in the direction of Pumlumon, beyond a place called Nant-y-nôd, are two Druidical circles: one of these consists of seventy-six upright stones, and is seventy-six [sic] feet in circumference; the other, a smaller one, lies still higher up the mountain.
Morgan, T.O., (1799-1878), Aberystwyth Guide, (1848), p. 126; (2nd edition, 1851), pp. 140-141; (3rd edition, 1858), p. 141
[Note: Archaeologia Cambrensis reported that one of the circles was two hundred and twenty-eight feet in circumference. The figure of seventy-six feet for the circumference must be a typographical error but it is an oval with a N-S diameter of about 75.5 feet and E-W diameter of 70.5 feet]
1848
Bedd Taliesin and Stone Circles.
Two or three miles up the mountain [from Bedd Taliesin, Tre Taliesin, Cardiganshire] towards Plinlimmon there are two Druidical Circles, above Nant-y-nôd, one of which consists of 76 upright stones, and is 228 feet in circumference. A smaller circle, 90 feet round, stands higher up the mountain.
Cliffe, Charles Frederick, (1809-1851), The book of South Wales, the Bristol Channel, Monmouthshire, and the Wye. (1st edition, 1847); (2nd edition, 1848), p. 319 (3rd edition, 1854), p. 285
1867
About two or three miles up the mountain, in the direction of Pumlumon, beyond a place called Nant-y-nôd, are two Druidical circles: one of these consists of twenty-six upright stones, and is seventy-six [sic] feet in circumference.
Morgan, T.O., (1799-1878), Aberystwyth Guide, 4th Edition, (1867), p. 113; (5th Edition, 1869), pp. 129-130; and the New Edition (1874), p. 83
1873
Stone Circle. On an elevated bleak flat lying between two high hills, some three miles from the village of Taliesin, and about two miles from Taliesin’s grave, in the upper part of the parish of Llangynfelyn, Cardiganshire, will be found a stone circle, known in the neighbourhood as “Cylch Derwyddol” (Druidic circle), which, as far as I know, has not been hitherto noticed. [note from the editor:] We believe it was visited by members of the Association during the Aberystwyth meeting in 1847. [end of note]. It measures about 180 feet in circumference, and consists at present of about forty stones, some of which are about half a yard above the surrounding surface, while others are almost level with it. Towards Moel Llyn, which lies to the east, a considerable number of these stones appear to have been removed for some purpose or other, as in that direction only some three of four stones remain in a segment forming about one forth of a circle, and there are some gaps in other parts; so that originally the circle would seem to have consisted of about sixty stones. This tract of ground, which is peaty and partially covered by heath, forms part of the farm called Cae yr Arglwyddes, the property of Sir Pryse Pryse, Bart., of Gogerddan.
E., J.H.S., Archaeological Notes and Queries, no. 25, Archaeologia Cambrensis, (1873), pp. 292-293
1878
On the hills E. of the grave there are some cairns, a camp called Moel y Gaer, and stone circles, one of which is 230 feet in circumference, and consists of 76 upright stones. {History of Taliesin the bard.}
Jenkinson’s practical guide to North Wales, (Henry Irwin Jenkinson, 1878), p. 411
1878
Druidical Remains. Passing on from Bedd Taliesin, about two or three miles up the mountain, in the direction of Plynlimmon, beyond a farm called Nant-y-noedor are two Druidical circles; one of these consist of 26 upright stones and is seventy-six feet in circumference; the other, a smaller one, lies still higher up the mountain.
Groves, W.H., A guide to Aberystwyth and the Devil’s Bridge, with numerous legends, (Aberystwyth : Printed by John Morgan “Observer Office”, 1878), p. 39
1932
Sansbury, A.R., ‘The Megalithic Monuments of Cardiganshire’, BA Thesis, Dept Geography, UCW Aberystwyth, 1932, no. 18
1981
I found [the larger circle] with little difficulty on the highest and best drained location on the broad saddle separating the Ceulan and Cleddwr valley (SN 699 911) high above the farm of Nant-y-Nod. Thirty two stones, approximately, four feet apart and many barely protruding through the heather can be traced. Empty sockets on the east side mark the positions of the lifted stones. The circle originally contained 36-40 stones.
I located [the smaller circle] on a small plateau on the east side of Moel-y-garn (SN695 911), overlooking the larger circle and the west face of Moel-y-Llyn. This circle is banked up on one side and it may be the remains of a cairn of small hut.
Manning, P., ‘Circles of the Druids: monuments in the Upper Clettwr Valley’, Country Quest, vol. 26, no. 6, (November 1985), pp. 59-60
1982
[Quotes the report of the visit by the Cambrians in 1847, but miss-quotes the number of stones in the larger circle as 26 (it was 76) and the size of the smaller circle as 20 ft. (90ft).]
Briggs, C.S., ‘Megalithic and Bronze Age Sites’, Ceredigion, vol. 9, (1982), p. 272
1994
A stone circle, Moel y Llyn, which comprises a peristalith of flat orthostatic slabs, stones of similar material appearing in the subsoil …
Lying midway between Moel y Llyn and Moel y Garn, the site preserves at least 33 orthostats forming a circle of at least 26m in diameter, its stones not rising more than about 0.4m above the ground.
This site, first noted as ‘a carnedd’ by Meyrick, p. lxxiv [actually p. 433], was described in 1846 [actually 1847] as ‘consisting of 26 [actually 76] upright stones forming a circle of 228ft (69.5 m) in circumference, situated about [above] Nant y Nod.
Briggs, C.S., ‘The Bronze Age’ in Davies, J.L., and Kirby, D.P., Cardiganshire County History, (1994), pp. 134 (plan), 135; 140, appendix I, p. 200, nos. 265, 266; appendix 2, p. 207, nos. 6
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