Llaneilian Church, Isle of Anglesey

Our guided tour took our American customers to Llaneilian church.

They were thllaneilian church skeletonrilled to see the that the medieval character of the interior of the church has been so well preserved.  Amazed at the skeleton painting above the door carrying a scythe.

 

For more information about Llaneilian Church

When you are walking with us on our guided or self-guided walks, we are able to open the church for our guests.

 

 

 

 

Royal Mail celebrates 10 landmark bridges

The Royal Mail is celebrating 10 landmark bridges on their latest set of first class stamps.
We at Anglesey Walking Holidays are so proud that our very own Menai Suspension Bridge appears on one of the first class stamps. The Menai suspension bridge, which links the Isle of Anglesey in North West Wales with mainland North Wales, was designed by Thomas Telford and completed in 1826. It rises approximately 30 meters above sea level, is 176.5 m long and is a fine example of Telford’s engineering feats.

Menai Suspension Bridge, Anglesey

Pont Borth Menai Bridge

Dydd Santes Dwynwen Ionawr 25, (St. Dwynwen’s Day)

Llanddwyn lighthouse and wooden post

Llanddwyn lighthouse and wooden post

January 25th is Dydd Santes Dwynwen. (St Dwynwen’s Day).  Santes Dwynwen is the equivalent to Valentine’s Day, the Welsh saint of love.

This is the tale of Dwynwen.   Dwynwen fell in love with a guy called Maelon.  He was in love with her too, but for some reason they couldn’t be together!  There are various versions stating why they couldn’t be together.  One version suggests that her father was against the marriage, and that he had already promised her to somebody else. Poor Dwynwen was in a bit of a state, and ran to the woods in distress.  She prayed that God would erase her feelings for Maelon.  In the wood an angel appeared carrying a potion to try to erase all  memory of Maelon and turn him into a block of ice.

God gave Dwynwen three wishes.  Her first wish was for Maelon to be thawed, the second was that God would help all lovers meet their dreams, and the third was that Dwynwen herself would never marry.

Her wishes were fulfilled, and from that point she devoted herself to God’s service and became a nun. She left for the Isle of Anglesey and built a church on an island (Llanddwyn) “church of Dwynwen”.  The church ruins can be seen there today as well as the well, where it is told a sacred fish swims.  According to legend the movement of the fish can depict if relationships will succeed or not.

The well is a place of pilgrimage for young Welsh lovers since Dwynwen’s death in the 5th century. The Welsh celebrate Santes Dwynwen’s day by sending cards , flowers and gifts to our loved ones.

If you believe the story or not,  Ynys Llanddwyn Island is a magical island with its lighthouse, church ruins and well, has lovely views towards the Snowdonia mountains and the Llyn Peninsula, full of wildlife and fauna, private sandy beaches which attract thousand of tourists throughout the year.  And it’s on one of our walks from Malltraeth to Llyn Rhos Ddu.

Ynys Llanddwyn Island, Newborough Beach, Anglesey Walking Holidays with Celtic Cross and well dedicated to Dwynwen patron saint of lovers

Ynys Llanddwyn Island, Newborough Beach

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