The Eythin Trinity. The church and Eythin have a rocky alliance. Whilst some form of Christianity has had a hold for most of modern history, the islanders have always mixed it with a more ancient practice. As such, all island priests have had to accept (to a greater or lesser extent) that the pantheon was a little more crowded than they might like it.

The patron saint of the island, St. Yarma, is mentioned in only a few hagiographies. She is almost certainly a derivation of an earlier goddess or god (some have argued for a Phoenician origin) but the church has for the most part been happy to accept her. Traditionally invoked for favours and protection against shipwreck. Less welcome is her counterpart, Bale (Or Bal/Bael depending on the source) who represents the more chaotic, primal side of island living, though they are not seen as particularly good or bad, just as an expected and unavoidable part of life. Thirdly is the spirit of Eythin itself. Usually represented as an eel, or the ‘Eythin Wyrm’ the spirit may well have had a name at one point, certainly Eythin has only been known by its current moniker since the late 16 th Century, but it is lost to us now.

I’ve photographed two examples of personal worship. The first, collected by poet and folklorist Meliora Ray in the early fifties during an excavation of some of the houses by the harbour, is an example of the islanders totemistic approach to faith. The doll is Yarma, stuck with pins for favours asked and carved of wreckwood, smoothed over time. The doll is set in a sheath of copper. The seals tooth set in silver is Bale, all three spirits were thought to be capable of transformation, and the seal was the most common approach taken in the folktales of Eythin. The stone, on the mainland a hag or snake stone, is here on the island an eel stone. Worn by the tide, representing the island itself.

The Eythin Trinity collected by Meliora Ray in 1952

The second set were commissioned for the seventh Lord, Kit Keel-Read in 1840 , and demonstrate the same faith with considerably more money spent on it. Each seal is carved and polished marble, heavy in the hand and cool to the touch. White for Yarma, Black for Bale, Pink for Eythin. Presented in velvet lined case, it is a rare example of a link between the islanders and it’s self-appointed protectorate. Out of the twelve Lords, only two or three had any true connection to their home.

I’ve been lucky enough to get access to these treasures, and it’s a pleasure to be able to share them. If you have any questions, let me know.