Rediscovering Ancient Connections between North Pembrokeshire and County Wexford
An exciting cross-border heritage and arts project called Rediscovering Ancient Connections seeks to research, understand, celebrate and share the stories and themes that connect North Pembrokeshire in Wales and County Wexford in Ireland. The project is supported by the European Rural Development Fund and it is led by Pembrokeshire County Council, with project partners and joint beneficiaries Wexford County Council, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and Visit Wexford. The overall scheme runs from April 2019 – March 2022.
The aim of the project is to help to revive the ancient links between communities in Pembrokeshire and Wexford using the deeply entwined shared heritage and history. One of the key focuses of the project is on Saints David and Aidan. David is one of the key figures in early Christianity, he is the patron saint of Wales, and commemorated in the charming Pembrokeshire town of St. Davids. Aidan was a pupil and protégé of David, and he is strongly associated with many sites in Wexford – particularly Ferns. Along with the stories of early Christianity, the region also shares many connections, from megalithic tombs, prehistory and pilgrimage, to medieval magnates like Strongbow and William Marshal. The stories continue all the way to the challenges faced by coastal communities today, there is so much in common between the two sides of the Irish Sea!
One of the main objectives of the project is to motivate both communities to rediscover their shared heritage; to be a mentor for each other; and to share knowledge, experience and skills. Another project objective is to use the compelling stories of this shared heritage as a means of attracting people to these regions. Abarta Heritage, along with our colleague in Wales, Angharad Wynne, were appointed to undertake an in-depth study into the core historical stories that link North Pembrokeshire and North Wexford, with a particular focus on the communities of St Davids, Fishguard and Goodwick in Wales, and Ferns, Enniscorthy and Gorey in Wexford.
We will also work to develop a Tourism Ambassador Scheme in both regions; by training a broad spectrum of local people to tell the stories (ancient and modern) that connect Pembrokeshire and Wexford, in an engaging and creative way and to help them to become champions of the region. We attended the launch of the project at the end of September in St. Davids, and we were thrilled to see the enthusiasm, creativity and knowledge shared by all the participants. We can’t wait to delve deeper into the stories of the regions and to work with communities to help to tell the tales!
For further information please visit: https://irelandwales.eu/projects/rediscovering-ancient-connections-saints
