The jewel of Cardigan Bay

With its string of brightly painted houses clustered around a lively fishing harbour, it’s easy to see why Aberaeron is the treasure of Wales’ west coast the nickname ‘the jewel of Cardigan Bay’.

The town’s centre is dotted with quaint shops, cafes and restaurants, where you can sample delicious local seafood, traditional Welsh dishes and more homemade ice cream.

For those seeking outdoor adventures, the town is an excellent base for exploring this stunning stretch of coast. The Wales Coast Path runs through the town, offering scenic walking and cycling routes along the shore. Aberaeron Beach is a mix of sand and pebbles, perfect for a leisurely evening stroll or a day splashing about in the water.

From Aberaeron it’s only a short drive to plenty of other attractions. New Quay, Devil’s Bridge Falls and the beautiful Cambrian Mountains and all within easy reach, providing ample opportunity for exploration and outdoor adventures.

Beer and Cider Festival, 12th August

Aberaeron Yacht and Watersports Club is holding its much-anticipated Beer and Cider festival! A range of Welsh real ales and ciders will be on offer, with live music and a selection of street food. Midday until late. Free entry.

Aberaeron Book Festival 2023

20th-22nd October (Friday-Sunday)

The main events will be held on Saturday and Sunday in the Memorial Hall, and there will be a poetry evening on Friday 20th, venue to be confirmed.

Aberaeron is a picturesque coastal town in Ceredigion, West Wales, well worth a visit. Nestled between the larger towns of Aberystwyth and Cardigan, it is known for its charming and colourful Georgian architecture and stunning coastal scenery.

Situated at the mouth of the River Aeron and surrounded by rolling green hills and farmland, which provide a beautiful backdrop for its sandy beaches, Aberaeron’s most iconic feature is its harbour, which has been the beating heart of this maritime town for centuries. Today, it serves as a busy marina for leisure boats and the occasional fishing vessel, and it’s a great place to mooch around, perhaps stopping off for an ice cream or coffee and cake.

What’s in a name?

Strings of brightly painted houses line the streets around the harbour, each in a different hue, creating a delightful panorama that attracts visitors from far and wide. This distinctive feature has earned Aberaeron

A short drive inland from town, Gabrielle’s Gallery in Llandysul has become a hub for local artists and art enthusiasts. The gallery is named for its founder, artist Gabrielle Dudley. With a passion for promoting and showcasing the talents of fellow artists, Gabrielle established the gallery as a platform to celebrate the vibrant art scene in Aberaeron and the surrounding region.

Gabrielle’s Gallery exhibits a diverse range of artwork, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics and mixed-media pieces. Both established and emerging artists are featured, ensuring a dynamic and ever-changing collection. In addition to regular exhibitions, the gallery also hosts workshops, art classes and community events. Capel Cynon, Ffostrasol, Llandysul SA44 4TJ www.gabriellesgallery.com

Dan Owen Urban Voodoo Machine

JERAMIAH FERRARI SAD CAFE SANDI THOM

CAPTAIN ACCIDENT & THE DISASTERS THE ENDINGS

KARL PHILLIPS & THE REJECTS YOU DIRTY BLUE SKABURST

GYPSY PISTOLEROS DA FUCHAMAN SHOWHAWL DUO THE TEXELS

SILVERCHILD THIRD PARTY INCIDENTS MANOR HIEGHTS GREYSHA WILL POPE THE SWEETCHUNCKS BAND CANDY MOUNTAIN BC/DC MICA & MIDNIGHT BLUE

NEAR GATTEN FARM, RATLINGHOPE

Discover what Shire’s team thought of the concerts, live events and shows they’ve seen at local venues

THE CORONATION CONCERT, WINDSOR CASTLE

What an experience! We were lucky enough to get tickets in the public ballot so made our way to Windsor,

Ivo Graham At Festival Drayton Centre

Ivo’s Market Drayton audience contained many Taskmaster fans – he had just come last in the 2023 series of the TV challenge show. But his stand-up act was a long way from laddish capers. His humour is a gentle, kindly affair. Slowly and surely he wove his magic, spinning funny stories out of responses from the front row, sharing plenty of his own little humiliations and gradually taking on a sharper edge.

Trapped abroad during lockdown, Ivo’s parents let him stay in their house: “All of the Aga with none of the aggro.” During that time his daughter was born – and he gave a fine taste of the show he which was buzzing. The concert grounds on the East Lawn opened early for people to picnic and enjoy the surroundings. Scott Mills did a warmup set. Excitement built as the Royal Box filled, the new King receiving a warm reception. Stand-out performers were definitely Nicole Scherzinger and Katy Perry. The speech by the Prince of Wales was perfect – short, heartfelt and witty. The light show projected onto the castle added to the electrifying atmosphere. Then the drone show – wow!

Seeing the Royal Family waving flags and dancing along was such a highlight and something we’ll never forget! ★★★★★ might have fashioned around Peppa Pig World. Our loss.

The humour became a shade darker as he recounted his daughter’s mother moving out and having to negotiate co-parenting involving her new partner: “It’s much easier to have spots than adult responsibilities.”

His tour is called ‘My Future, My Clutter’ and at the tender age of 32, Ivo gave the impression that plenty more clutter, at least of the emotional kind, is likely to come his way.

BOYZLIFE – ‘OLD SCHOOL’ PART TWO, PARR HALL

Boyzlife are Brian McFadden (ex Westlife) and Keith Duffy (ex Boyzone). Between the two groups they had over 28 UK number 1s and over 55 singles!

On a sunny Sunday evening I make my way to Warrington. Eager fans are waiting in line, mostly women in their 30s and 40s dressed for a night out. Some are with mates, some have brought their children. Even a few husbands have been dragged along!

From the moment Boyzlife stride onto the stage the audience are on their feet, and they stay there, dancing and singing until the end. Women rush past me to get to the front, like teenagers again.

The hits keep coming. There are quite a few outfit changes. We’re all loving it. The last set is a boy band megamix, song after song from other boyband groups around at the time. Keith brings his family on stage. It’s a real ah! moment. After an encore we leave, exhausted, hot but oh so happy, big smiles on everyone’s faces. DL

SEVEN DRUNKEN NIGHTS – THE STORY OF THE DUBLINERS, THEATRE SEVERN

The Dubliners’ career spanned five decades, and this evening of music and commentary – direct from the West End – sets out to honour Ireland’s favourite sons.

The legendary folk band originated in Dublin in 1962 as the Ronnie Drew Ballad Group after the founding member, only later renaming themselves after their home city. The show evokes the spirit of Drew and fellow musicians Luke Kelly, Barney McKenna, Jim McCann, Ciaran Bourke and John Sheahan through classics like ‘The Wild Rover’, ‘The Black Velvet Band’, ‘Molly Malone’, ‘McAlpine’s Fusileers’, ‘Raglan Road’ and of course ‘The Seven Drunken Nights’.

All in all, an enjoyable evening, and it was good to hear some Irish tunes alongside my Irish dad. His favourite was ‘Dublin In The Rare Old Times’. I guess that’s how he likes to remember things too. CB ★★★

If you have a show in the Shire area, we can send a reviewer – and your show can appear on these pages too! Email editorial@shiremagazine.co.uk Get in touch!