Ancient Connections, a three-year arts, heritage and tourism project linking North
Pembrokeshire and North Wexford is looking for Welsh and Irish artists and community
members to join a weeklong pilgrimage walk to St Davids, Pembrokeshire.
Since the launch of the project in September 2019, the Ancient Connections team have been
busy putting their ambitious plans into action; generating creative opportunities for artists and
communities to engage with their hidden past.
Now, the project is seeking two artists and three community members with close links to
Pembrokeshire to undertake a weeklong journey from Ferns, Co Wexford, to St Davids,
Pembrokeshire, in May 2020.
Artists working in performance-based art forms such as music, song, poetry, performance art
and dance are encouraged to apply, as they will be expected to produce new art works from
their experiences en route and to give short performances as part of the Fishguard Folk Festival
(23 rd May) and the St Davids Cathedral Festival (26 th May).
For hundreds of years St Davids was the most important site of pilgrimage in Wales, with two
visits said to equal one to Rome and three the equivalent of making a pilgrimage to the Holy
Land. 2020 marks the 900 th anniversary of St Davids canonization and pilgrimages are starting to
make a dramatic comeback! Many who undertake a modern pilgrimage do not necessarily
consider themselves religious; they are more often than not, simply looking to switch-off, slow-
down and reconnect to the important things in life.
Beginning with a spectacular send-off in Ferns, Ireland, on the 20 May, the pilgrims from
Wexford and Pembrokeshire, will make their way along the beautiful sandy beaches of the
Wexford coast, to the port of Rosslare. Here they will board the Stena Line ferry and set sail for
Fishguard. They will then wind their way along the rugged contours of the Pembrokeshire Coast
Path until they reach St Davids on 26 May.
For further information, including how to apply email [email protected]
Closing date for applications is Tuesday 17 th March.
Ancient Connections is led by Pembrokeshire County Council together with partners Wexford
County Council, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and Visit Wexford. The project is
funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Ireland Wales co-operation
programme.
