Annwyl Day

From Ffaith

Taken from www.red4.co.uk

On May Day servants change their places in Wales half-yearly rents are paid, farms are taken, and house agreements and leases are signed. Llantwit Major, in Glamorgan, was renowned for a celebration held from time immemorial on May 3. It was called Llantwit's Annwyl, or Darling or Pet Day.

Tradition states that an Irish pirate named O'Neil had for many years committed great havoc along the coast. Both sides of the Bristol Channel suffered at his hands, and many schemes were arranged to punish the offender. By-and-by the women of Llantwit set their wits working, and with success. The best-looking matrons and maidens in the town dressed themselves up in fine raiment, and went down to the meadows near Colhugh Point. There they danced and sang and held festivity until O'Neil and his men appeared in the offing. It was well known that the Irish pirate was exceedingly susceptible to the charms of women. Therefore, when he landed at Colhugh, he and his men hastened to join the fair ladies. So well were the pirates received, and so kindly were they treated, that the afternoon passed quickly. While in the midst of the dance one of the girls escaped without being noticed. She roused the men of Llantwit, and before O'Neil and his companions were aware of it they were surrounded and captured. The story goes that O'Neil was tied to a stake and burnt, while his companions were slain.

In commemoration of the occasion an effigy of the pirate was set up annually in Colhugh meadows and burnt. At the same time a King and Queen were chosen, and the usual festivities were carried out. Mrs. Wrentmore, a local lady of wealth and lands, and Mrs. Jenny Deere, a native of the town, were among the last Queens of the revels until they ceased, about 1850-1855. The Independent Order of Oddfellows then celebrated " Llantwit's Annwyl Day" by church parade and a dinner, and this was continued until the year 1907, when, like many other relics of the past, it went into oblivion.