Diwrnod Santes Dwynwen

Santes Dwynwen is the Welsh patron saint of lovers and is celebrated on the 25th January each year. 

Dwynwen lived during the 5th century and legend has it that she was one of the prettiest of the king of South Wales’s 24 daughters. Dwynwen fell in love with a prince called Maelon Dafodrill, but unfortunately her father had already arranged that she should marry someone else.

She was so upset that she could not marry Maelon that she ran away into the woodland, then threw herself to the ground and cried herself to sleep. While she slept, she dreamt a spirit came to her and told her Maelon wouldn’t trouble her further because he’d been turned into a block of ice. The sprit then granted her three wishes.

Her first wish was that Maelon be thawed; her second was for true love to always be protected in her name; and third, that she should never fall in love again or marry. All three were fulfilled.

Dwynwen became a nun and set up churches in Wales and prayed for those who were troubled in love.  Her final stop was on the island of Llanddwyn, off the west coast of Anglesey where the remains of St Dwynwen's church can be seen.