With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we’re reminded of a location that’s not too far from our new home. If you’re subscribed to our newsletter, you might have heard this one before. If you aren’t – fear not, as we’re bringing you the legend of Lovers’ Island in the form of a blog post, too. We highly recommend getting yourself on the mailing list, however, as there’s always fantastic content and featured stock items such as bespoke glass splashbacks, wall panels, accessories and more.
Ynys Llanddwyn, otherwise known as Llanddwyn Island, is a lovely little bit of land that sits just on the southern coast of Anglesey. When the tide is in, you might wonder how exactly you get across, but a passage slowly forms as the waters lapping the shore begin to retreat.
The island plays home to the legend of St. Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers. There are many versions of the tale that’s told of her, but much of the story remains the same no matter which one you read.
According to the legend, Dwynwen lived in the 5th century and was one of twenty-four children sired by the Welsh king Brychan Brycheiniog. Her father had promised her hand in marriage, but she had been swayed by the charm of another man – a northern prince by the name of Maelon Dyfodrull. She had fallen deeply in love, but not with the man to whom she had been betrothed.
Upon hearing of this, King Brychan put an end to the blossoming romance. He outright refused his daughter the love of the prince, forcing her to commit to his own decision.
Stricken with grief, Dwynwen was so heartbroken from being unable to marry Maelon that she prayed to forget him altogether. An answer would come, as after falling asleep, she was visited by an angel that brought a potion which would do just that. In a cruel twist of fate, the potion turned the charming prince to ice instead!
Her next desperate prayers were for three wishes. She wished that Maelon would be thawed and released from the ice, that all true lovers would one day find happiness, and that she should never again wish for marriage. Dwynwen then fled to the solitude of Ynys Llanddwyn, where the ruins of her chapel can still be found.
No matter what you might make of the tale, it’s certainly as local as it gets! It all takes place in and around Anglesey, where our glass art studios recently moved to. We’re fully open and busy with plenty of projects, so now’s the time to get your name on the list for one of our bespoke glass splashbacks, or really any piece of stunning fused glass art courtesy of The House of Ugly Fish. Don’t wait to get in contact, either by phone or email.