Penmaenpool Bridge
Penmaenpool
Penmaenpool is a small village about three miles west of Dolgellau. Its main claim to fame is the old toll-bridge which crosses the Mawddach. It used to be a stop on the railway, which was closed in the 1960s. The old railway line now forms The Mawddach Trail which runs the nine miles from Dolgellau to Barmouth.
“Penmaen Pool” by Gerard Manley Hopkins
For the Visitors’ Book at the Inn
For the Visitors’ Book at the Inn
Who long for rest, who look for pleasure
Away from counter, court, or school
O where live well your lease of leisure
But here at, here at Penmaen Pool?
You’ll dare the Alp? you’ll dart the skiff?-
Each sport has here its tackle and tool:
Come, plant the staff by Cadair cliff;
Come, swing the sculls on Penmaen Pool.
What’s yonder?--Grizzled Dyphwys dim:
The triple-hummocked Giant’s stool,
Hoar messmate, hobs and nobs with him
To halve the bowl of Penmaen Pool.
And all the landscape under survey,
At tranquil turns, by nature’s rule,
Rides repeated topsyturvy
In frank, in fairy Penmaen Pool.
And Charles’s Wain, the wondrous seven,
And sheep-flock clouds like worlds of wool.
For all they shine so, high in heaven,
Shew brighter shaken in Penmaen Pool.
The Mawddach, how she trips! though throttled
If floodtide teeming thrills her full,
And mazy sands all water-wattled
Waylay her at ebb, past Penmaen Pool.
But what’s to see in stormy weather,
When grey showers gather and gusts are cool?--
Why, raindrop-roundels looped together
That lace the face of Penmaen Pool.
Then even in weariest wintry hour
Of New Year’s month or surly Yule
Furred snows, charged tuft above tuft, tower
From darksome darksome Penmaen Pool.
And ever, if bound here hardest home,
You’ve parlour-pastime left and (who’ll
Not honour it?) ale like goldy foam
That frocks an oar in Penmaen Pool.
Then come who pine for peace or pleasure
Away from counter, court, or school,
Spend here your measure of time and treasure
And taste the treats of Penmaen Pool.
Away from counter, court, or school
O where live well your lease of leisure
But here at, here at Penmaen Pool?
You’ll dare the Alp? you’ll dart the skiff?-
Each sport has here its tackle and tool:
Come, plant the staff by Cadair cliff;
Come, swing the sculls on Penmaen Pool.
What’s yonder?--Grizzled Dyphwys dim:
The triple-hummocked Giant’s stool,
Hoar messmate, hobs and nobs with him
To halve the bowl of Penmaen Pool.
And all the landscape under survey,
At tranquil turns, by nature’s rule,
Rides repeated topsyturvy
In frank, in fairy Penmaen Pool.
And Charles’s Wain, the wondrous seven,
And sheep-flock clouds like worlds of wool.
For all they shine so, high in heaven,
Shew brighter shaken in Penmaen Pool.
The Mawddach, how she trips! though throttled
If floodtide teeming thrills her full,
And mazy sands all water-wattled
Waylay her at ebb, past Penmaen Pool.
But what’s to see in stormy weather,
When grey showers gather and gusts are cool?--
Why, raindrop-roundels looped together
That lace the face of Penmaen Pool.
Then even in weariest wintry hour
Of New Year’s month or surly Yule
Furred snows, charged tuft above tuft, tower
From darksome darksome Penmaen Pool.
And ever, if bound here hardest home,
You’ve parlour-pastime left and (who’ll
Not honour it?) ale like goldy foam
That frocks an oar in Penmaen Pool.
Then come who pine for peace or pleasure
Away from counter, court, or school,
Spend here your measure of time and treasure
And taste the treats of Penmaen Pool.
At 10:55am on July 22nd 1966, the first day of the school summer holidays, the “Prince of Wales” pleasure boat left Barmouth on it’s regular two-hour return trip to Penmaenpool. The boat was carrying the captain and forty-two passengers, As it arrived and turned to join the jetty, it hit the Penmaenpool bridge. As a result the boat sunk and fifteen of the passengers lost their lives.
On the jetty was Mr. John. A. Hall, the proprietor of the George III Hotel. Mr. Hall embarked in his nine-foot rowing boat “The Daisy May” (which he had only taken possession of five days beforehand) and together with two of his employees; David Christopher Jones and Robert Jones, was responsible for saving many lives. Mr. Ronald Phillip Davies, an employee of the Dolgelly Rural District Council, also waded into the river twice and saved the lives of two children.
Read the full report into the tragedy…
On the jetty was Mr. John. A. Hall, the proprietor of the George III Hotel. Mr. Hall embarked in his nine-foot rowing boat “The Daisy May” (which he had only taken possession of five days beforehand) and together with two of his employees; David Christopher Jones and Robert Jones, was responsible for saving many lives. Mr. Ronald Phillip Davies, an employee of the Dolgelly Rural District Council, also waded into the river twice and saved the lives of two children.
Read the full report into the tragedy…
Dolgellau.Wales