St Dwynwen’s Day or ‘Dydd Santes Dwynwen’ in Welsh, is celebrated in much the same way as Valentine’s Day. Each year, on the 25th of January, cards, gifts and messages of love are exchanged in celebration of Saint Dwynwen.
Who was St Dwynwen?
St Dwynwen was a Welsh princess who lived during the 4th century in what is now known as the Brecon Beacons National Park. She was the daughter of the legendary King Brychan Brycheiniog, who had 11 sons and 24 daughters, all of whom were said to be exceptionally beautiful.
So the story goes, Dwynwen fell in love with a prince called Maelon Dafodrill, but her father had other plans, and had already arranged for her to marry someone else. Distraught at her father’s refusal to let her marry her true love, Dwynwen escaped to the woods and prayed to God to help her. Her prayers were soon answered with a visit from an angel, who transformed Maelon into a block of ice, and gave Dwynwen a potion that erased him from her mind.
God then granted Dwynwen three wishes. Despite the potion she had drunk, Dwynwen’s love for Maelon was so strong that she remembered him, and asked that her first wish be that he was thawed. Her second wish was for God to help all true lovers, and her third wish was that she never marry. Many believe that despite her love for Maelon, Dwynwen wanted to show her gratitude to God by becoming a nun, and spending her life helping others in pain from love.
Llanddwyn Island
All of her wishes were granted, and Dwynwen moved with her sister Cain to Anglesey where she established a small church on Llanddwyn Island. Legend has it that women would visit from miles around to seek her advice on love. Dwynwen’s commitment to God meant that she became a saint, and when the church eventually succumbed to the elements, a small chapel was built on the original site, the ruins of which can still be visited today.
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Llanddwyn Island is considered one of Anglesey’s most beautiful spots, however care should be taken when accessing it, as there are times when it is cut off by the tide. The following link provides a good overview of the area and how to get there – www.delveintoeurope.com/llanddwyn-island.
St Dwynwen’s Day today
Today, we give thanks to St Dwynwen by celebrating all things romantic – whether that’s a stroll on the beach hand-in-hand with your loved one, or sitting down to a romantic candlelit meal.
Lovespoons are also traditionally given on St Dwynwen’s Day and can be carved into different symbols depending on what your hopes are for the future. For a special romantic day out, we recommend a visit to the Lovespoon Gallery in Mumbles, which houses the largest collection of designs from Wales’ best lovespoon carvers.
At the Oxwich Bay Hotel, we celebrate St Dwynwen’s Day every year, with a special Welsh-themed dinner menu, which makes creative use of local ingredients, as well as our romantic accommodation package – the perfect way to enjoy time with your loved one.
Details of our St Dwynwen’s Day events can be found here – www.oxwichbayhotel.co.uk/events.
Header image by by frank mckenna on Unsplash
