Happy St Dwynwen's Day

We are getting all romantic at the Trefeddian Hotel. It is St Dwynwen's Day or Dydd Santes Dwynwen on 25th January, which is Wales' very own version of St Valentine’s Day. 

The ‘chwedl’, or tale of Princess Dwynwen and how she became the Welsh patron saint of lovers, is a sad one. Princess Dwynwen was the most beautiful daughter of Brychan Brycheiniog, the King of South Wales, who had 24 daughters. 

Dwynwen fell passionately in love with Maelon Dafodrill, the son of a neighbouring King. But her father refused to allow them to marry as he had already arranged for her to marry another prince. Maelon was furious and the distraught Dwynwen fled to the woodland to weep and begged God for help. As she wept, she was visited by an angel who gave her a potion to help her forget Maelon but it would turn him into a block of ice. God then granted Dwynwen three wishes – her first wish was that Maelon be thawed, her second wish was for God to help all true lovers and her third was that she should never fall in love again nor marry. All of her wishes came true.

In gratitude, kind-hearted Dwynwen ran away from home so her father could not force her to marry and she became a nun, travelling around Wales setting up churches and praying for those who were troubled in love. Dwynwen finally came to rest on the magical island of Llanddwyn, off the coast of Anglesey, and after her death a well was dedicated to her. Some believe that the well is home to sacred fish, whose movements predict the fortune of lovers. Others say that the well sometimes boils up and those who see it will be lucky in love. 

Like Valentine’s Day, St Dwynwen’s Day is celebrated with the giving and receiving of cards and presents and by saying "I Love you" in Welsh - "Rwy'n dy garu di".  

So we are sending you all a ‘cwtch’ for this special day and wish you a Happy St Dwynwen’s Day - Dydd Santes Dwynwen Hapus and we look forward to welcoming you back soon  ♥♥♥