1 SAINTLY CELEBRATIONS
March 1 is one of the most colourful days of the year in Wales, celebrated with vivid yellow daffodils, green leeks and vibrant traditional dress. St David’s Day is a day of parades, concerts and eisteddfodau - festivals of music, language and culture.
St David is the only native-born patron saint of the countries of Britain and Ireland and was the greatest figure in the 6th century Welsh Age of Saints, founding scores of religious communities. He is remembered on March 1, the day he died in 589 or 601. He was canonised by Pope Callixtus in the 12th century. To wish someone a Happy St David’s Day in Welsh, it’s Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus.
Celebrate the occasion at one of the beautiful castles found in Wales at Conwy (pictured). With eight principal towers, it takes pride of place at the heart of the town overlooking the water. The National Trust’s Bodnant Gardens is 80 acres with woodland, great planting and five National Collections – magnolia, embothrium, eucryphia, rhododendron forrestii and bodnant rhododendron hybrids. It is home to exotic plants from the Blue Poppy of the Himalayas to the Fire Bush of the Andes and also boasts Wales’s largest collection of UK Champion Trees, which provide a year-round spectacle. nationaltrust.org.uk
2 ROYAL ANNIVERSARY
July 11, 2024, marks 750 years since the birth of Robert the Bruce, one of Scotland’s most famous rulers. Robert I was King of the Scots from 1306 until his death (from unknown causes)
