Mischief makers and meandering minstrels as Pilgrim Fayre celebrates links between Ireland and Wales

A lively Pilgrim Fayre will be held later this month to mark the achievements of a project celebrating the historic links between North Wexford and North Pembrokeshire.

The event on bank holiday Monday, 29th May 11am-6pm at St Davids Bishop’s Palace, boasts an exciting family-friendly programme of performance, song, guided walks, a medieval marketplace, traditional skills demos, and film screenings.

It marks the achievements of the Ancient Connections project as it comes to a close and the launch of the Wexford-Pembrokeshire Pilgrim Way, with a celebration of communities past and present.

The event centres on a lively medieval marketplace hosting an array of stalls.

It will showcase some of the finest wares the area has to offer as well as delicious, award-winning food and drink, made from locally sourced ingredients.

There’ll be mischief makers, meandering minstrels and holy relic sellers and surprise pop-up performances too.

Small World Theatre is delighted to return with the 3m-tall giant puppet of Saint David and a new 6m-long sea monster in a procession through Wales’ smallest city.

Rowan Matthiessen, Ancient Connections Project Manager said: “The Fayre is going to be an absolute feast for the senses and should be a fantastic bank holiday day out for all the family. Small World Theatre never fails to disappoint in creating something fun and engaging for all.”

Thanks to pupils from Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi, there will also be colourful costumes in the festival’s Pilgrim Parade leading spectators from the Cross Square into the grounds of St David’s Cathedral. Saint David will visit the giant bee skeps created by artist Bedwyr Williams on his way to join the fun of the Fayre.

Other activities include guided pilgrim walks, led by St Davids Cathedral and the Wexford-Pembrokeshire Pilgrim Way; a massed choir performance in the Cathedral led by Span Arts’ choir Côr Pawb; a traditional skills demonstration marquee run by the Tywi Centre; and a programme of artists’ films and documentaries screened in the vaults of the Bishop’s Palace.

The day finishes with an open-air concert of ancient music from Wales and the Celtic nations performed by renowned folk musicians Julie Murphy, Ceri Rhys Matthews, and Jess Ward.

A perfect end to a magnificent celebration in the impressive, historic setting of the ruined Palace.

Ancient Connections is funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Ireland Wales co-operation programme and led by Pembrokeshire County Council, together with partners Wexford County Council, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and Visit Wexford

This event is free for all, and further details can be found on Ancient Connections and Small World.