Literary Figures of Anglesey

This tour focuses on three women; Branwen, Dwynwen and Siwan; whose fictional, mythological and historical lives are deeply rooted in the Isle of Anglesey. Originally led by Gwyn Thomas, Karen Owen and J.O. Roberts, the tour travels through places, sites and themes significant to these figures.

Some of the places it visits include Llanddwyn beach, relevant to the history of Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers, and Llys Llewelyn, relevant to the play 'Siwan' by Saunders Lewis (first produced in 1956, about Siwan, the illegitimate daughter of King John of England and the wife of Llewelyn the Great). The tale of Branwen (from the Second Branch of the Mabinogi) can be reflected on in the round houses at Melin Llynnon before a visit to the History Gallery at Oriel Môn, relevant to all the themes of the tour.

The image above was taken from the front cover of 'The Oldest British Prose Literature: The Compilation of the Four Branches of The Mabinogi' by Nikolai Tolstoy (Edwin Mellen Press, 2009), which was on the 2010 Wales Book of the Year Short List. Image: copyright to Edwin Mellen Press and Paul Berthon

Reviews of the original tour:

"…A bus full of people, good company, literary aspects, delicious food, learned lectures and a great exhibition had made it a trip to remember…"


Photographs of the original tour: