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The Dylan Thomas Trail in New Quay, West Wales.
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The Author David Thomas, in his recently published
book 'Dylan Thomas, A Farm, Two Mansions and a Bungalow', has put
together a convincing case that New Quay is the inspiration of Thomas's
Llareggub (read it backwards!). Details of the 'Dylan
trail' in his book 'The Dylan Thomas Trail' ( Published by Y
Lolfa Cyf, Talybont, 2002, £6.95) take the visitor to a
number of locations identified as models for locales in the fictional
Llareggub.
Ceredigion Council provides a leaflet entitled
'Dylan Thomas - New Quay' available from the New Quay and Aberaeron
Tourist Offices (below).
This page takes you to the locations mentioned in
New Quay
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1
The Trail starts at the New Quay Tourist Office.
This modern building is built on the site of a former Lime
Kiln.
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| London House - opposite the Tourist Office, was
once the home and shop of Dylan Thomas' friend Norman Evans. He was
thought to be the inspiration for 'Under Milk Wood's' 'Nogood Boyo'.
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2
Just up Chapel Street from the tourist
Office is the pub called the Dolau Inn. This was the favourite pub of
Caitlin, Dylan's wife. It was also frequented by Alistair Graham,
Evelyn Waugh's lover and nephew of the Duchess of Montrose. Graham was
Dylan's inspiration for 'Lord Cut-Glass' as well as the basis of the
character of Sebastian Flyte in 'Brideshead revisited'. The actors
Richard Burton and Paul Schofield also drank here when visiting New
Quay.
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3
The
building that now houses the public toilets was once the old lifeboat
station. Retired sea captains would meet here daily to gossip and it
became known as Cnwc y Glap.
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Opposite is the 'Blue Bell', once owned by Auntie
Cat. |
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4
The 'Hungry Trout' is a Restaurant today with a
fine view over Cardigan Bay. It used to be the post office where Dylan
Thomas posted his scripts to London.
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5
The
Black Lion Hotel was Dylan's favourite and was owned by his friend Jack
Pat (Patrick). The Dylan Restaurant in the basement here has a large
collection of Dylan Thomas memorabilia - photos and articles,
on the walls. Gomer House across the road was the home of Captain Tom
Polly, Dylan's inspiration for Captain Cat.
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6
The Sea Horse used to be known as the 'Commercial'.
Prior to that it was known as the Sailor's Home Arms -
providing the name for 'Under Milk Wood's 'Sailor's Arms.
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Across the car park from the Sea Horse can be seen
the Towyn Chapel. The Minister here in Dylan's time was Orchwy Bowen -
both a Poet and a Preacher as was Eli Jenkins in 'Under Milk Wood'.
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7
'Wendowel' is on the left along the road past the
chapel. It was once the home of Elizabeth Williams and Theodosia Legg,
Dylan's Aunt and Cousin. He stayed here with them in the 1930's.
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The 'Costcutter' shop is on the site of the bakery
once run by Mr. John - 'Dai Bread'. There is no suggestion
that Mr. John had two wives! |
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8
Manchester House was once a drapers similar to
that run by Mog Edwards in Llareggub. Now
it is an Art, Jewellery & Health Food shop.
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9
Brongwyn
Lane once ran all the way round the coast to Dylan's home 'Majoda'.
However, much of the coast here - including Maesgwyn Farm - mentioned
at the beginning of 'Under Milk Wood' has been washed away only to be
deposited in New Quay harbour which can no longer take large
vessels.
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10
The Llanina Mansion - Plas
Llanina has been restored having almost fallen into ruin since Dylan's
time here. It was once owned by Lord Howard de Walden who was a patron
of Dylan Thomas. Dylan first came to Plas Llanina with the painter
Augustus John in 1938 / 1939. He wrote in the 'Apple House' at the end
of the garden - sadly now dilapidated.
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11
Dylan
lived in the bungalow called 'Majoda' from September 1944 to
July 1945. This was a fruitful period in his writing career where he
wrote many poems and scripts including 'Quite early one morning'. He
also started 'under Milk Wood' while living here.
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12
'Ffynnonfeddyg' is just a short distance from
'Majoda'. It was once the home of Dylan's friend's Vera and William
Killick. After an argument, Killick was involved in a shooting incident
at 'Majoda'. At the Lampeter Assizes he was subsequently found not
guilty, however Dylan and Caitlin soon moved away from New Quay after
this incident. The present Spanish style house is much changed.
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Links to more Dylan Thomas information
Dylan, New Quay and
Under Milk Wood - A new website from David Thomas
Fatal Neglect - Who killed Dylan Thomas? - A new
book by David N. Thomas explores events surrounding the death of Dylan
Thomas.
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