View source for Carn Fadryn

{{Short description|Iron Age hillfort in Wales}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Carn Fadryn
| photo = Garn Fadryn.jpg
| photo_caption = Garn Fadryn from the south
| elevation_m = 371
| elevation_ref = 
| prominence_m = 343
| prominence_ref = 
| parent_peak = [[Yr Eifl]]
| listing = [[Marilyn (hill)|Marilyn]]
| location = [[Llŷn Peninsula]], Wales
| grid_ref_UK = SH278351
| map = Wales
| map_caption = Location in Wales
}}

'''Carn Fadryn''', sometimes '''Carn Fadrun''' or '''Garn Fadryn''', is a five-[[hectare]] [[Iron Age]] [[hillfort]] and is the name of the mountain on which the fort is situated.<ref name="Coflein1">{{Coflein|desc=Carn Fadrun;Carn Fadryn |num=95275 |accessdate=21 January 2016 |date=5 June 2008}}</ref> It lies in the centre of the [[Llŷn Peninsula]], [[Gwynedd]], and overlooks the village of [[Garnfadryn]], Wales.

There seems to be two phases of ancient hillfort building on Carn Fadryn, followed by a [[medieval]] [[fortification]] of the summit. The first period of fortification at Garn Fadryn dates from about 300 BC, when the summit and an area of some {{convert|12|acre|m2}} were enclosed.

These were re-fortified during a second period and a wider area towards the north of a total of about {{convert|26|acre|m2}} was enclosed. This second period of reinforcement dates from about 100 BC.

The third fort which strengthens the natural crag near the summit is thought to be "the castle of the sons of Owain", mentioned in 1188 as being newly built. ([[Giraldus Cambrensis|Giraldi Cambrensis Opera]] ([[Rolls series]], 1868), VI, p123 'dua castra lapidea de nova sita fuerunt; unum...Deutrait; alterum...in capite Lhein, quod erat filium Oenei, cui nomen Karnmadrun.')

The medieval castle was built on the highest part of the summit, and was one of the earliest Welsh castles, symbolising power following the death of Prince [[Owain Gwynedd]] and the division of his land between his sons.<ref>[https://cadw.gov.wales/sites/default/files/2019-04/97194_CastlesLordsPrincesWales.pdf The Castles of the Lords and Princes of Wales, Cadw, Welsh Government, p. 12]</ref>

On a clear day, the view from Garn Fadryn takes in [[Anglesey]], [[Snowdonia]], most of [[Cardigan Bay]] and even the [[Wicklow Mountains]] in [[Ireland]].

==See also==
*[[List of hillforts in Wales]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.penllyn.com/1/gallery/garn/3.html Information site for Garnfadryn Llŷn - Safle am Garnfadryn]
* [https://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=2798436 www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Carn Fadryn and surrounding area]
{{Native Welsh castles and llys in North Wales}}

{{coord|52.88571|N|4.56077|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(SH278351)|display=title}}<!-- Note: WGS84 lat/long, converted from OSGB36 grid ref -->

[[Category:Buildings and structures in Gwynedd]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in Gwynedd]]
[[Category:Marilyns of Wales]]
[[Category:Tourism in Gwynedd]]
[[Category:Tudweiliog]]
[[Category:Mountains and hills of Gwynedd]]