Fishguard and Goodwick have reclaimed Moby Dick! That was the resounding message from the Twin Towns after a spectacular lantern parade before hundreds of townspeople kicked off the Ar Ymyl y Tir 2026/On Land’s Edge Festival on Friday night.
Cardigan’s Small World Theatre staged a magical spectacle through Fishguard’s streets featuring lantern bearers of all ages - which was warmly greeted by vast crowds.
The event – which saw the procession to Lota Park headed by an eight-foot model great white whale – kickstarted three days of music and cultural events.
It was celebrating the 70th anniversary of the cinematic release of the classic 1956 movie Moby Dick, partially filmed in Fishguard Bay.
On Saturday afternoon John Huston’s acclaimed film received heartfelt applause from a sell-out audience at Fishguard’s Theatr Gwaun, some of whom had actually been present when Hollywood actors and stuntmen took part in the 1954 filming.
The memorable weekend also included art exhibitions, musical concerts and literary events as the people of Fishguard and Goodwick fully embraced the return of Herman Melville’s legendary literary creation.
A large Moby Dick mural on the junction of West Street and Brodog Terrace will stand as a lasting testimony to the year Tinsel Town glitter visited.
And down on Goodwick Parrog a newly-installed VR code outside Sea Trust’s Ocean Lab enables smartphone users to project a Virtual Reality great white whale.
Steve Knight and Sean Vicary, of Cardigan’s Small World Theatre, said they were impressed by the quality of the special effects on the John Huston’s film.
“We were very taken with the dramatic climax where Moby Dick creates a huge whirlpool that sucks the Pequod and her crew down to a watery grave,” they said.
“It’s become a modern folk tale that Moby Dick was filmed in Fishguard in the 1950s and how the giant model of the whale broke its moorings and floated off out into the foggy Irish Sea never to be seen again.”
“This has been such an amazing weekend,” said festival chair Dr Patrick Thomas.
“A feast of culture – lots of art, lots of music, literature, local history – even swimming!
“A lantern parade that brought out hundreds of people, and a full house for a film made seventy years ago, just because of what that story means to this community.
“And a superb mural that will be a lasting reminder of it all.
“Thanks to everyone who’s helped to plan, organise and manage the festival, especially the staff and volunteers at Theatr Gwaun who turn up every day and every week, but who pull out something extra for events like this.
“Thanks also to our partners, Small World Theatre and Sea Trust Wales, and to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, whose generosity made it all possible.
The Making of Moby Dick - memories of the time Hollywood came to the Twin Towns - in Martha’s Gallery at Theatr Gwaun runs until October 13.
“And do visit the augmented reality whale down at the Ocean Lab in Goodwick – it really is quite spectacular!”
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