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Cardigan High Street

Cardigan (Welsh: Aberteifi) is the traditional county town of Cardiganshire (Ceredigion) in west Wales. The town's population was estimated at 4,000 inhabitants in 2007, though it is a significant regional administrative centre for west Wales, harbouring a hospital, college and good shopping facilities.

The town, founded in 1093 by the Norman Roger de Montgomery, lies on the estuary of the River Teifi and is predominantly a Welsh speaking community. Attractions in the town include the remains of Cardigan Castle, a heritage centre, a modern arts centre (with two-screen cinema) and a currently under-used nineteenth century guildhall.

In 1176 the castle became the site of the first competitive Eisteddfod. Cardigan also hosted the National Eisteddfod in 1942 and 1976. The castle was for many years in private hands and as a result became run down and derelict. The town council itself showed little interest in saving it. However a group of volunteers, and the local Catholic Priest, working separately did raise its profile. Ceredigion Council finally bought it in 2003. The town has recently (2006/2007) undergone a renaissance with a co-ordinated programme of building works restoring many of the facades of the town centre shops in a sympathetic style. The quayside has been rebuilt with a new civic area and landing stage.

By the early 19th century over 300 sailing vessels were registered at the port and more than 200 ships were built in the five shipyards. Cilgerran slate was exported from the port. The river silted up and the port died by the early part of the twentieth century. Plans to dredge it have come to nothing over the years.

Cardigan railway station was closed under the Beeching Axe in 1963.

Cardigan is also the site of Wales' premier Roman Catholic Shrine in Wales. In pre-Reformation times it was known for a statue of the Virgin Mary, who held a candle whose flame never extinguished. It is known as the shrine to Our Lady of the Taper [1].

Cardigan is twinned with Brioude, France.

Cardigan Island lies just 200 metres offshore near the town at Gwbert.

1. ^ Community, 2001 census

• List of closed railway stations in Britain: C
• St. Dogmaels

• Cardigan's Official site
• Our Lady of Cardigan, National Shrine of Wales website
• Old photographs of Cardigan port

Coordinates: 52°04′53″N, 4°39′30″W