LLANGUNNOR (LLAN-GYNYR), a parish, comprising the Upper and Lower divisions in the hundred of KIDWELLY, union of
CARMARTHEN and county of CARMARTHEN, SOUTH WALES, 1 mile (E.) from Carmarthen; containing 1228 inhabitants. This parish is
beautifully situated on the river Towy, by which it is separated from the borough of Carmarthen; and is traversed by the
great turnpike-road from that town, through Golden Grove, to LlandiloVawr; by the mail-road to Swansea; and by another
turnpike-road to the same place, passing through Kidwelly and Llanelly. It is bounded on the north by the parish of.
Aberguilly, on the south by that of Llangam, on the east by those of Llandarog and Llanarthney, and on the west by
Carmarthen; and comprises, according to computation, 5770 acres, of which 1400 are arable, 4200 pasture, and 170 woodland,
comprehending several species of fir, with oak, elm, ash, sycamore, hazel, &c. On the bank of the river is a ridge of
elevated ground, at the eastern extremity of which stands the church, commanding perhaps the finest view of the most
interesting portion of the fertile and picturesque Vale of Towy. This beautiful prospect embraces Merlin's Hill on the
left, and on the right the luxuriant woods of Middleton Hall, with the elegant tower, raised to the memory of Viscount
Nelson, crowning the summit of one of the loftiest hills in the vale. Opposite to these are, Grongar Hill, and the abrupt
eminence on which are the ancient and venerable ruins of Dryslwyn Castle, almost surrounded by a bold sweep of the river;
and a little higher up in the vale is Dynevor Castle, embosomed in stately oaks, above which rise, in romantic grandeur,
the dilapidated towers of that once stately pile. The vale is studded on each side with numerous handsome seats and
elegant villas, amongst which the newly-restored palace of St. David's, and the pleasing little village of Aberguilly, are
conspicuous. The whole extent of country beyond Llandilo, through which the Towy pursues its winding course, lies open to
the view, forming a grand combination of pleasingly picturesque objects, and a continued succession of scenery of
unrivalled beauty, terminated by the Black Mountains in the distance. The lands, with the exception of a small portion,
are inclosed and cultivated; and the soil, though varied, is generally fertile, producing wheat, barley, oats, clover, and
hay. The gentlemen's seats are, Mount-pleasant, Mount-hill cottage, Myrtle-hill, with several others: lead-mines were
formerly worked, but not with much success. The Carmarthen race-course is situated on the bank of the Towy, in the parish.
The living is a discharged vicarage, rated in the king's books at £3, and endowed with £200 private benefaction, and £200
royal bounty; present net income, £225; patron, Bishop of St. David's; impropriator, Sir G. G. Williams, Bart. The church,
dedicated to St. Cynyr, is a neat edifice, appropriately fitted up for the performance of divine service, and, though
possessing no architectural details of importance, derives from its beautiful situation an interesting and romantic
appearance. It was rebuilt about the year 1806, and, including the chancel, is 72 feet long and 35 broad, and contains 312
sittings, all of which are free: there is a neat monument to the memory of Sir Richard Steele, who, for some time prior to
his decease, lived in retirement at a farm in the parish, called 11 Gwyn, or the " White House." On Llangunnor Hill,
within a short distance of the church, the present incumbent has erected a commodious vicarage-house, which commands a
fine view of the Vale of Towy. There is a place of worship for Welsh Calvinistic Methodists, who also have a Sunday
school,supported by voluntary contributions, in which sixty males and females are taught; another school, belonging to the
Established Church, and containing about sixty adults and children, is maintained by the vicar; and there is a day school,
in which twenty children are instructed at the expense of their parents. The parish participates in the benefit of Dr.
Lawrence's and Mrs. Stephenson's distribution of blankets in Carmarthen, at Christmas.