Ports, Past and Present

There has been a movement of people between Ireland and Wales for thousands of years for reasons of trade, leisure, religious, political and family reasons and also in times of war. Our countries have experienced shared histories and profound differences. Ports on both sides also share a history of absorbing migrant labour from other cultures and languages. This project explored the cultures of the port areas of Dublin, Rosslare, Holyhead, Fishguard and Pembroke Dock, bringing this heritage to public awareness, both within coastal communities and to visitors.

Funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Ireland Wales Cooperation programme.

The Centre led the Creative Connections strand of the project. Twelve writers and artists were commissioned to make a variety of works that were displayed in a series of exhibitions, performed and published in booklets and a project anthology.