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January 25th is Dydd Santes Dwynwen - St Dwynwen's Day, Wales' answer to St Valentine's Day. St Dwynwen is the patron saint of Welsh lovers. 1/13
St Dwynwen (Santes Dwynwen) was a fourth-century Welsh princess who lived in what is now the Brecon Beacons National Park. Dwynwen was rather unlucky in love, so she became a nun. She prayed for true lovers to have better luck than she did. 2/13
Dwynwen was the most beautiful of King Brychan Brycheiniog's 24 (TWENTY-FOUR 
) daughters. She fell in love with a local lad called Maelon Dafodrill, but King Brychan had already arranged for her to marry another prince. 3/13
) daughters. She fell in love with a local lad called Maelon Dafodrill, but King Brychan had already arranged for her to marry another prince. 3/13
Maelon took this news badly, so the distraught Dwynwen fled to the woods to weep. She begged God to help her and was visited by an angel who gave her a sweet potion to help her forget Maelon, which turned him into a block of ice (pretty harsh imho) 4/13
God granted Dwynwen three wishes. Her first wish was that Maelon be thawed (I mean, it's the least she could do); her second wish was for God to help all true lovers; her third wish was that she would never marry (bit drastic love, but you do you) 5/13
In gratitude, Dwynwen became a nun and set up a convent on Llanddwyn Island, a beautiful little spot on Anglesey. Her name means, 'she who leads a blessed life'. 6/13
Llanddwyn beach is backed by dunes and a forest that's home to red squirrels and a huge roost of ravens (which mate for life, appropriately). Newborough Nature Reserve has stunning views across the Menai Straits to Snowdonia. 7/13
The island is actually a peninsula that only becomes cut off by the highest tides. Walk out onto the headland and you'll find two lighthouses, a couple of pilot's cottages (which become a visitor centre in the summer holidays) & the picturesque ruins of St Dwynwen's Church. 8/13
The church is built on the site of the nunnery Dwynwen founded in the 5th century, and she's said to be buried here. There are also wells & springs on the island, including Merddyn Cil (Merlin's Well) & Ffynnon Dafaden. 9/13
The waters of Ffynnon Dafaden are said to cure warts (because nothing says I love you like ridding yourself of unsightly skin carbuncles).
Most importantly, there's Dwynwen's Well, which is said to be home to eels who can predict whether your relationship is going to last. 10/13
Most importantly, there's Dwynwen's Well, which is said to be home to eels who can predict whether your relationship is going to last. 10/13
As well as being the Welsh patron saint of lovers, she's also the patron saint of sick animals.
Although not as commercial as St Valentine's Day, people in Wales still celebrate today by exchanging cards & gifts. Some may carve lovespoons (or more likely buy 1 ready made). 11/13
Although not as commercial as St Valentine's Day, people in Wales still celebrate today by exchanging cards & gifts. Some may carve lovespoons (or more likely buy 1 ready made). 11/13
So remember to give your cariad a cwtch today, be they human or sickly animal. And if a trip to a beautiful island with magical eels isn't your idea of a romantic break, remember St Dwynwen's most famous saying:
'Nothing wins hearts like cheerfulness'. 12/13
'Nothing wins hearts like cheerfulness'. 12/13
Dydd santes dwynwen hapus 
Happy St Dwynwen's Day
13/13
Happy St Dwynwen's Day 13/13
I wrote this thread when I was in pain and couldn't sleep last night and forgot to credit http://visitwales.com and Amy Pay for the information. Many apologies
#DyddSantesDwynwen
#DyddSantesDwynwenHapus
#stdwynwensday
#DyddSantesDwynwen
#DyddSantesDwynwenHapus
#stdwynwensday
