A break in Carmarthenshire
It’s 100 years since the birth of Wales’s most famous literary gure, Dylan Thomas. The poet and author spent his last, and most creative, years in Carmarthenshire, and, indeed, was buried there – and now the county is celebrating his centenary with a range of events, exhibitions, walking trails and experiences.
The National Theatre of Wales will be presenting a reinvented version of perhaps his most famous work, Under Milk Wood. Raw Material: Llareggub Revisited will be performed in Laugharne on 3 to 5 May as part of the new Poetry and Theatre Weekend.
029-2035 3070, www.nationaltheatrewales.org/rawmaterial
The Boathouse above the River Taf estuary in Laugharne was home to Thomas for several years of his life. To mark the centenary, it will be the venue for various performances, workshops, exhibitions and poetry readings. Expect a ash mob of performers such as the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and the National Poet of Wales, Gillian Clarke.
01994-427420, www.dylanthomasboathouse.com
In this, its eighth year, the legendary Laugharne Weekend, 4 to 6 April, promises to be more raucous than ever. Highlights include David Icke in conversation with Keith Allen; Arthur Smith; Josie Long; Stuart Maconie; Julien Temple; Mark Thomas; Robin Ince; Jonathan Coe; Ray Davies, Suzanne Moore and Jon Ronson.
www.thelaugharneweekend.com
Laugharne Castle, on the estuary of the River Tai
During the Poetry and Theatre Weekend, 2 to 5 May, poets including Simon Armitage, Jackie Kay and John Cooper Clarke will be performing all around Laugharne. And actress Helen Gri n will present her onewoman play, Caitlin, based on Dylan’s wife. Welsh actor Rhodri Miles will perform his one-man play, Burton, about Dylan’s friend, Richard Burton. Je Towns, a Thomas expert, will give a talk on the pubs and bars frequented by Dylan in Wales, London and New York. Robin Williamson will present Thomas poems set to music, and Welsh folk band Fern Hill, named after Dylan’s poem, will also give a concert.
www.thedylanweekends.com
A replica of Dylan Thomas’s Writing Shed goes on tour and is expected to reach one million people. You can catch it at the Eisteddfod in Llanelli, 1 to 9 August.
www.eisteddfod.org.uk/english/2014/
Discover Carmarthenshire has created online walking trails that wind around the places associated with Thomas’s life in Laugharne – from the bakery where he bought bread, to The Boathouse where he and his family lived. You can also stay at Brown’s Hotel, Thomas’s favourite drinking den.
www.discovercarmarthenshire.com/heritage/dylan-thomas.html
Meanwhile, Llanelli Ramblers’ Festival of Walks, 23 to 26 May, is Thomas themed, with walks from two to 12 miles long, for all ages and abilities.
www.llanelliramblers.org.uk
Or saddle up for Hills Farm Stables’ two-hour Dylan Thomas rides (£40 per person), for all ages and abilities. See the churchyard where he was buried, Brown’s Hotel and The Boathouse.
01994-427375, www.hillsfarmstables.co.uk
For further information: 01267-231557, www.discovercarmarthenshire.com
Prices correct at time of going to press.
Contact Wendy at wendy.gomersall@lady.co.uk
The National Theatre of Wales will be presenting a reinvented version of perhaps his most famous work, Under Milk Wood. Raw Material: Llareggub Revisited will be performed in Laugharne on 3 to 5 May as part of the new Poetry and Theatre Weekend.
029-2035 3070, www.nationaltheatrewales.org/rawmaterial
The Boathouse above the River Taf estuary in Laugharne was home to Thomas for several years of his life. To mark the centenary, it will be the venue for various performances, workshops, exhibitions and poetry readings. Expect a ash mob of performers such as the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and the National Poet of Wales, Gillian Clarke.
01994-427420, www.dylanthomasboathouse.com
In this, its eighth year, the legendary Laugharne Weekend, 4 to 6 April, promises to be more raucous than ever. Highlights include David Icke in conversation with Keith Allen; Arthur Smith; Josie Long; Stuart Maconie; Julien Temple; Mark Thomas; Robin Ince; Jonathan Coe; Ray Davies, Suzanne Moore and Jon Ronson.
www.thelaugharneweekend.com
Laugharne Castle, on the estuary of the River TaiDuring the Poetry and Theatre Weekend, 2 to 5 May, poets including Simon Armitage, Jackie Kay and John Cooper Clarke will be performing all around Laugharne. And actress Helen Gri n will present her onewoman play, Caitlin, based on Dylan’s wife. Welsh actor Rhodri Miles will perform his one-man play, Burton, about Dylan’s friend, Richard Burton. Je Towns, a Thomas expert, will give a talk on the pubs and bars frequented by Dylan in Wales, London and New York. Robin Williamson will present Thomas poems set to music, and Welsh folk band Fern Hill, named after Dylan’s poem, will also give a concert.
www.thedylanweekends.com
A replica of Dylan Thomas’s Writing Shed goes on tour and is expected to reach one million people. You can catch it at the Eisteddfod in Llanelli, 1 to 9 August.
www.eisteddfod.org.uk/english/2014/
Discover Carmarthenshire has created online walking trails that wind around the places associated with Thomas’s life in Laugharne – from the bakery where he bought bread, to The Boathouse where he and his family lived. You can also stay at Brown’s Hotel, Thomas’s favourite drinking den.
www.discovercarmarthenshire.com/heritage/dylan-thomas.html
Meanwhile, Llanelli Ramblers’ Festival of Walks, 23 to 26 May, is Thomas themed, with walks from two to 12 miles long, for all ages and abilities.
www.llanelliramblers.org.uk
Or saddle up for Hills Farm Stables’ two-hour Dylan Thomas rides (£40 per person), for all ages and abilities. See the churchyard where he was buried, Brown’s Hotel and The Boathouse.
01994-427375, www.hillsfarmstables.co.uk
For further information: 01267-231557, www.discovercarmarthenshire.com
Prices correct at time of going to press.
Contact Wendy at wendy.gomersall@lady.co.uk