Fishguard harbour is the main sailing centre for North Pembrokeshire
and used to be a busy port for agricultural and fish product exports.
The impressive harbour with its fine breakwater was constructed in 1906
in an effort to entice the great sea going ships away from Liverpool
and Southampton. It didn't work, but Fishguard is a busy British Ferry
Port.
Fishguard is famous
for the fact that in 1797, the town was invaded by a rather strange
group of French soldiers who had been ordered to invade and secure
Bristol. Tradition records the force of invaders as pilfering local
farms and produce, becoming drunk on local ale and then falling victim
to a group of local cobbler women who are said to have captured a dozen
French soldiers armed only with pitchforks. Within 48 hours the French
surrendered and the whole amazing event is recorded in history on a
tapestry which measures over 30 metres in length.
Fishguard is a
delightful town with narrow streets and good local facilities. It is
the only area of Pembrokeshire's coastline which is not within the
National Park. An ideal base from which to explore the rest of Wales.
|
