| Fishguard and Goodwick |
The
picturesque harbour of Lower Fishguard - setting for the 1971
film version of Dylan Thomas' Under Milk Wood - was once home
to 50 coastal trading vessels. Fishing was also important, and
smoked herrings were exported to southern Europe. The harbour,
on the estuary of the Gwaun River, is now used by leisure craft.
Fishguard Fort was built in 1781 to protect the harbour from marauding privateers. However it was on the wrong side of town when a French invasion force of about 1,300 landed near Llanwnda in 1797. Fortunately the invaders were more interested in looting and drinking than fighting, and they soon surrendered to a hastily-assembled defence force. This was led by Lord Cawdor who made his headquarters the Royal Oak inn, which still stands on Fishguard Square. Reminders of the Last Invasion include a memorial to local heroine Jemima Nicholas outside St Mary's Church. Goodwick was a fishing village until mid-Victorian times, after which it began to develop as a seaside resort with numerous "marine villas" built overlooking the bay. In 1899 a huge harbour complex was constructed here for the Great Western Railway Company. For a brief but glorious period the great transatlantic liners called at Goodwick, and today the harbour is a terminal for car ferry services to Ireland. The harbour, fringed by Goodwick
Parrog beach is the largest area of sheltered water in north Pembrokeshire
and is popular for watersports. It also provides access to many
of the coastal areas of North Pembrokeshire. A number of operators run daily Wildlife and Dive trips in the area from various departure points. Operators include: Celtic Diving & Media Services - Berthed at Goodwick All of these operators have skippers and crews accredited to the WiSe scheme (Wildlife Safe) and are active members of the Pembrokeshire Marine Code group. As such they adhere to the codes of conduct developed to protect the marine wildlife of Pembrokeshire whilst providing patrons with knowledge of the species being observed. For more information on where to go and what to see in Pembrokeshire visit www.pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk |
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