Cilgerran

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Statistics
Cilgerran
Population:	{{{population}}}
Ordnance Survey
OS grid reference:	Maps for SN195427
Administration
Principal area:	Pembrokeshire
Constituent country:	Wales
Sovereign state:	United Kingdom
Other
Police force:	Dyfed-Powys Police
Ceremonial county:	Dyfed
Historic county:	Pembrokeshire
Post office and telephone
Post town:	CILGERRAN
Postal district:	SA43
Dialling code:	+44-1239
Politics
UK Parliament:	Preseli Pembrokeshire
European Parliament:	Wales

Cilgerran is a town in Pembrokeshire, Wales, lying on the River Teifi. It is known as the site of Cilgerran Castle, built in 1100, from which Owain of Powys is said to have abducted Nest in 1109. It is first mentioned by name in 1164. This is probably one of the most picturesque castles in Wales and has been painted by many artists including Joseph Mallord William Turner.

The town is first mentioned in 1204 from when it was the administrative centre for a lordship until the sixteenth century. Although the town remained small it was considered one of the main market centres in Pembrokeshire in the seventeenth century.

Other attractions in the village include annual coracle races. This event, Started in 1950, attracts competitors from all over the world.

The churchyard of St Llawddog contains a megalithic standing stone or Ogham stone upon which Ogham writing can still be seen. Also contained in the churchyard is the burial site and memorial to William Logan on Mount Logan, Canada fame. Logan was the first Director of Geological Survey in Canada and mapped the coal mines of South Wales. The memorial was erected in the centenary of his death.

The town was renowned for the quality of the slate that was mined there and exported through the port at Cardigan.

Cilgerran is also an electoral ward of Pembrokeshire and has its own elected town council.