St Dwynwen’s Day – A Time To Celebrate Love and Romance

This Sunday (25 January) is St Dwynwen’s Day. St Dwynwen is the Welsh patron saint of lovers and Wale’s Gaelic equivalent to the Roman St. Valentine, who’s day is celebrated worldwide on 14 February. Here in Anglesey, we’re a romantic bunch, and count St Dwynwen’s Day as a key celebration for love and romance. To give a bit of background, the story of Dwynwen dates back to the 5th century, when Dwynwen fell in love with a Prince called Maelon Dafodrill, her father, Brychan Brycheiniog, however, was determined that she would marry another man.

Dwynwen was heartbroken that she couldn’t marry her true love and begged God erase all memory of Maelon. An angel visited Dwynwen and gave her a potion; a potion to take away all her loving memories of Maelon and to turn him in to a block of ice. Dwynwen was then granted three wishes by the angel. Firstly she wished for Maelon to be thawed, secondly that God help all people to find true love and thirdly, he wished that she would never marry. Dwynwen devoted the rest of life to God’s service, founding a convent on the island of Llanddwyn, Anglesey. You can still see the remains of the church on the island today. On the island there is a well, where, according to legend, a sacred fish swims. It is said that the fish can predict the longevity and happiness of relationships. Visitors still go to the well today, hoping that the water will boil, meaning that love and good luck will follow them.

With St Dwywen’s day falling on a Sunday this year it is an ideal excuse for a romantic weekend away in Anglesey with your loved one. Maybe you could plan a romantic stroll on the Island of Llanddwyn? The tidal island has views of Snowdonia and the Llŷn Peninsula. You can even visit the well and see if the well water will indeed boil! Or perhaps enjoy reading some romantic Welsh poems or tales of myths and legends in the magical surroundings of St Dwywen’s church ruins. Alternatively, there are many ways to celebrate the day, why not enjoy a meal with a loved one in one of Anglesey’s many romantic restaurants, or why not plan a romantic meal using a traditional Welsh recipe. Lovespoons are also a traditional Welsh gift that are sure to delight a loved one. To further celebrate this day of love, we’ve pulled together some of our favourite quotes about love and romance.

Take a read and share using hashtag #SilverBayLove with that special someone. If you have any quotes which you would like to add, please comment below, or join in the conversation on Twitter and Facebook.