Here’s a fun one for you. Did you know that the Welsh city of St Davids, which takes its name from our patron saint, Dewi Sant (St. David), is believed to have had ties to the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick, first?
Medieval writings claim that there was once a church built by Patrick in St. Davids and, with St Patrick having lived slightly before St. David (anywhere between 50-100 years), then this would mean that the city had ties to the Irish patron saint first.
In fact, Porth Mawr, Sir Benfro (known in English as Whitesands Bay, Pembrokeshire) contains the known remnants of Capel Padrig, a presumably 5th century chapel (which went through three phases between the 5th and 12th century, with most finds dating to the 12th) built in Patrick’s name.
The Welsh antiquary, George Owen, referenced the chapel in 1603, writing:
“Not far off is Capel Patrick full west of St Davids and placed as near his country, namely Ireland, as it could well be. It is now wholly decayed.”
So, there we are. Cymru’s smallest and likely first city also has ties to both the Welsh and Irish patron saints.
DIGITAL Welsh Histories Magazine – February 2026
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Niklas is the founder, owner, manager, editor, writer, video creator, voice over artist, and so forth, of Welsh Histories. He is passionate about the preservation of Welsh culture; the rejuvenation of the Welsh language and the promotion of Welsh history. Niklas currently resides in Pune, Maharashtra, with his beloved wife.