LLANVAIR-ISGAER (LLAN-FAIR-IS-GAER) a parish, in the hundred of ISGORVAI, union of CARNARVON and county of CARNARVON,
NORTH WALES, miles (N. N. E.) from Carnarvon; containing 549 inhabitants. This parish, which derives its name from the
dedication of its church to St. Mary, and its position below an ancient fortress, is situated on the Menai strait, and on
the high road from Bangor to Carnarvon. The Romans under the conduct of Agricola are said to have forded the Menai from
the shore of this parish to that of Llanidan, on their march to the reduction of Anglesey: there are still some remains of
a Roman intrencbment, and vestiges of the road formed by that general may be clearly traced within the parish. The
regularity of the surface is boldly broken by abrupt and rocky eminences; the lands are partially inclosed and cultivated,
and the soil, though varied, is not unproductive; the rateable annual value being returned at £1536. 14. 6. The
surrounding scenery is strikingly bold; and the views from the higher grounds, embracing a tract of richly varied country
to the east, and the fine bay of Carnarvon on the west, are interesting and extensive. Copper-ore is found -throughout the
whole of the rocky district, but not in quantities sufficient to induce any adventurer to open mines, or to establish any
regular works for procuring it. The situation of this place is highly advantageous for commerce; within the parish is
Porth Dinorwig, the shipping-place for the produce of the slate quarries in the adjoining parish of Llandeiniolen, from
which it is brought to this place by a railroad seven miles in length. The living is a perpetual curacy, endowed with £600
royal bounty, and £200 parliamentary grant; net income, £77; patron, Bishop of Bangor: the tithes have been commuted for a
rent-charge of £191. 4. 9., of which the amount payable to Lord Newborough, the impropriator, is £154. 10. 6., to the
Bishop of Chester, al. 14.3., and to the Vicar of Llanbeblig £15. The church, which occupies a beautiful and sequestered
spot on the eastern bank of the Menai, though small, is a neat and venerable structure, in the later style of English
architecture, and is kept in good repair. There are two Sunday schools, in one of which are about 25 children, who attend
the Established Church, and are instructedgratuitously; the other appertains to Calvinistic Methodists, and consists of
about 85 males and females. The interest of £5, the gift of Elizabeth Jones, is annually distributed in bread to the poor;
and a benefaction of similar amount has been lost by the insolvency of the person to whom it was lent.