Fishguard Welsh - Abergwaun
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List of places: UK • Wales • Pembrokeshire

Fishguard (Welsh: Abergwaun = "Mouth of the River Gwaun") is a coastal town in Pembrokeshire, Wales, with a population of 3,300 (est. 2006). A regular ferry leaves for Rosslare in Ireland from the port of Fishguard Harbour (not actually in Fishguard, but a mile away at Goodwick). Fishguard is the terminus of the A40 London to Fishguard trunk road. It is in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Fishguard is served by train at Fishguard Harbour railway station.

The town of Fishguard (proper) is divided into two parts:

• Lower Fishguard (Welsh: Cwm) is situated where the River Gwaun meets the sea in a deep valley. It is a typical fishing village with a short tidal quay. The settlement stretches along the north slope of the valley.
• Upper Fishguard contains the parish church, the High Street and most of the modern development, and lies upon the hill to the south of Lower Fishguard, to which it is joined by a steep and winding hill. The western part of the Upper town, facing Goodwick, grew up in the first decade of the 20th century with the development of the harbour.

History

The name Fishguard is from old Norse fiskigarðr = "fish catching enclosure"^[2], and indicates that there may have been a Scandinavian trading post here, although there is no historical record to confirm this^[3]. It was once a marcher borough. Owen, in 1603, described it as one of five Pembrokeshire boroughs overseen by a portreeve^[4]. The Norman settlement lay along what is now High Street between the church at its north end and the slight remains of a Norman motte at its south end. Lower Fishguard developed as a herring fishery and port, trading with Ireland, Bristol and Liverpool. In the late 18th century it had 50 coasting vessels, and exported oats and salt herring^[5]. The port declined in the latter half of the 19th century. Fishguard's ancient Royal Oak pub saw the signing of surrender following the last invasion of Britain in 1797. The whole story is told by the Fishguard Tapestry, which was created for the 200th anniversary as a deliberate echo of the Bayeux Tapestry, and is on display in a hall near the town centre. The nineteenth century vicar of Fishguard, the Rev Samuel Fenton, wrote the noted book 'The History of Pembrokeshire'. The ancient Parliamentary Borough of Fishguard was contributary to the Borough of Haverfordwest. In 1907, it was created an Urban District, and included Goodwick from 1934 until the Urban District was abolished in 1974. During the Second World War, the Fishguard Bay Hotel was Station IXc of Special Operations Executive where submersibles were tested in Fishguard Bay. Since 1995, the town of Loctudy (Breton: Loktudi) in Brittany, France has been twinned with Fishguard.

Climate

Fishguard enjoys a relatively mild climate due to its coastal position. The winds coming from the west or south-west have a determining influence on temperature and precipitation.

Wildlife

Wildlife in the Fishguard vicinity is rich in flora and fauna: It shows a wide variety of colourful wild flowers and birds such as cormorants, gannets and gulls. Other local wildlife include the grey seal, puffins and even porpoises or dolphins. It is a paradise for bird and animal watchers alike.

Population

According to the census of 2001, Fishguard had 3,193 inhabitants and 1,465 households. The population of 3,193 breaks down as follows:

Population Age Distribution	Fishguard	Pembrokeshire
20-44 years	24.4%	28.4%
45-64 years	25.2%	27.2%
65+ years	27.9%	19.2%

Population Age Distribution	Fishguard	Pembrokeshire
0-4 years	5.8%	5.8%
5-15 years	13.0%	14.6%
16-19 years	3.7%	4.8%

In 2001, 39.8% of the population could speak Welsh. This compares with 58.9% in 1951 and 90.3% in 1901.

Industry

The English name 'Fishguard' demonstrates the town's connection with the sea. It is therefore not surprising that fishing and the port are the principal industrial activities in this town. Fishguard Harbour opened in 1906 and today is used by ferry passengers to Ireland and also well-known for herring fishery.

Tourism/sights

Outside of Fishguard there is a stone monument commemorating the signing of the Peace Treaty after the last invasion of Britain in 1797. Also there is the 19th century parish church of St Mary's containing the grave of the heroine Jemima Nicholas.

Fishguard has many hotels and is the main shopping town of north Pembrokeshire with a busy Thursday market in the town hall.

Fishguard hosted the National Eisteddfod in 1936 and 1986.

Fishguard still has a thriving Round Table with 15 members doing all sorts of good work including running the Fishguard & Goodwick Carnival which has been voted the most popular community event.

Famous inhabitants

The celebrated Welsh writer D.J. Williams was a resident and also taught at the local secondary school.

The retired football player Mark Delaney who played for Cardiff City, Aston Villa and Wales grew up in Fishguard.

Catatonia lead singer Cerys Matthews went to Fishguard High School and now lives locally.

Fishguard in the media

Fishguard has acquired a popular reputation as a result of "Hugh Pugh", a comic character in the TV series Barry Welsh is Coming, who reports from Fishguard and constantly points out the rivalry between Fishguard and Haverfordwest.

Fishguard's Royal Oak pub appeared in the film I'll Sleep When I'm Dead starring Academy Award nominee Clive Owen.

Lower Fishguard was used as "Llareggub" in the film of Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood, starring Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor and Peter O'Toole. The film Moby Dick (starring Gregory Peck) was also filmed here in the 1950s.

See also

• Fishguard Folk Festival

References

1. ^ Fishguard Ward, 2001 census
2. ^ Charles, B. G., The Placenames of Pembrokeshire, National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, 1992, ISBN 0-907158-58-7, p 50
3. ^ Charles, ibid, p xxxvi
4. ^ Owen, George, The Description of Penbrokshire by George Owen of Henllys Lord of Kemes, Henry Owen (Ed), London, 1892
5. ^ Barrett, J. H., The Pembrokeshire Coast Path, HMSO, 1974, ISBN 0-11-700336-0, p 44

External links

• An account from historic-uk.com
• Population figures 2001
• Information about Port of Fishguard
• Fishguard Harbour Information for Passengers undated Steamship Brochure circa 1905

Coordinates: 51°59′40″N, 4°58′32″W

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