St Dwynwen’s Day January 25th
St Dwynwen’s Day
St Dwynwens Day is on 25th January and is the ‘Welsh’ Valentines Day. She is the Welsh patron Saint of Lovers and is celebrated on this day, and we’re all about Romance here at Fields Lodge Boutique B&B.
Although no longer recognised by the Vatican as being an official saint, she is still widely celebrated in Wales, especially in her home county of Anglesey.
St Dwynwen’s story
History says that Dwynwen was the prettiest daughter of Welsh king Brychan Brycheiniog’s all twenty-four daughters. She fell in love with a man named Maelon Dafodrill, but her father had already arranged for her to marry someone else.
Distraught, Dwynwen prayed to God and asked for help in forgetting Maelon. An angel visited her in her sleep and gave her a potion to erase her memory of feelings for Maelon and turn him into a block of ice.
With each of her dreams coming true, Dwynwen devoted her life to God; she set up a convent on the island of Llanddwyn, off the coast of Anglesey. The remains of the church can still be seen on the island, along with Dwynwen’s well.
It’s believed the well is home to sacred fish who can predict whether couples relationships will succeed; if the fish are seen to be active when visiting the well, it was seen as a sign of a faithful husband.
God offered Dwynwen three wishes. Her first wish was that Maelon be thawed, the second that God should meet the needs of all lovers and the third that she should never marry.
The well has since become a place of pilgrimage for young Welsh lovers since Dwynwen’s death in the 5th century.
I know the story, but I can never understand why she didn’t wish for her and Maelon to be married, as she was having him thawed?? She’s left him to live with unrequited love for the whole of his life! Although, I guess by then she was pretty heavily invested in her worship, and maybe the angel removed any feelings of hurt?
Who knows???
Celebrate St Dwynwen’s Day
It’s a shame that you can’t come and celebrate this year with us, but you can think about celebrating in the future by booking a stay now!
We’d love to see you!
If you’d prefer to stay in Self Catering accommodation, then check out our sister property- The Marina Apartment, 28 Smokehouse Quay
