Ynysddu was founded in the early 19th century by the enlightened local colliery owner John Hodder Moggridge, who lived at nearby Woodfield Park. It got its name from Ynsyddu Farm, which was built by Moggridge in 1804. Ynysddu comes from the Welsh descriptive words 'Ynys' and 'ddu'. 'Black river meadow' is appropriate for the landscape of the area. After he became alarmed at the terrible living conditions of the poor in the 1820s Moggridge also built 'The Ranks'. Founded as a social experiment 'The Ranks', like similar properties in Blackwood, allowed a few workers to lease a plot of land to build a cottage and garden allotment. 'The Ranks' were situated near the Black Prince pub, but have long since disappeared. In 1901 Kelly's Directory of Monmouthshire said:
"YNYSDDU is a hamlet of this parish, having a station on the Sirhowy section, London and North Western railway, 10¼ miles north-west from Newport. Here are Baptist and Calvinistic and Primitive Methodist chapels. Post Office.—John Hughes, sub-postmaster. Letters received through Newport at 8.55 a.m.; dispatched, 6.30 p.m. weekdays only. Postal orders are issued here, but not paid. Pontllanfraith is the nearest money order & Blackwood the nearest telegraph office Board School, erected in 1877, at a cost of £1,500, & erected in 1899, for 167 children; average attendance, 101; Thomas Harries Phillips, master; Miss Susanna Evans, assistant mistress. Railway Station, James Williams, station master"
Transport
The village is served by regular buses operated byStagecoach Group to Tredegar and Blackwood in the north, and Newport city centre in the south. Ynysddu is also part of the Celtic Trail cycle route which connects West Wales from Fishguard through to Carmarthen, Llanelli, Swansea, Merthyr Tydfil, Newport, and the Severn Bridge in the East.
Provider
Number
Destination
Journey time
Frequency
Stagecoach Group
56
Tredegar Bus Station
33 minutes
Hourly
Stagecoach Group
56
Blackwood Interchange
11 minutes
Hourly
Stagecoach Group
56
Newport Bus Station
35 minutes
Hourly
Notable people
Welsh poetWilliam Thomas was born in Ynysddu, taking his bardic name Islwyn from the parish of Mynyddislwyn, itself named after the mountain which towers over the village. His two best-known poems are both entitled "Yr Ystorm" ; one is a long philosophic poem over 9,000 lines long.
Ynysddu Primary School is located in the town; its headmaster was David Witchell.
Sport and leisure
is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union and is a feeder club for the Newport Gwent Dragons. The first Ynysddu game recorded was in 1894 against Abercarn, and was played in the church field at Mynyddislwyn. Ynysddu originally played in an all-black strip, but now play in Black and Red. Ynysddu Welfare Football Club was relaunched in 2013, following the formal amalgamation of Ynysddu Welfare Crusaders AFC and Crusaders AFC, the latter having superseded Cwmfelinfach Colts AFC, The club became Ynysddu Crusaders until summer 2013 when the club went back to their roots and renamed themselves Ynysddu Welfare FC. They are affiliated to the Gwent County Football Association and are members of the Welsh Autoparts Gwent County FA League and the Ryan Transport Ltd North Gwent Football League. Club Colours are gold and black. They play their home games on the 3G pitch at Pontllanfraith Leisure Centre and their Headquarters are at Blackwood Town Cricket Club. Nearby is the Sirhowy Valley Country Park. The Ynys Hywel Activity Centre, located there, offers adventure activities such as abseiling, canoeing, mountain biking, rock climbing, orienteering and hill-walking. The Ynysddu Hotel is located in the village.
