St.Dogmaels Herring Fleet

Cardigan developed between 1678 and 1709 into an important herring station. Barrels were imported from Wexford, and after being filled with salted herring they were sent back to Dublin. In 1701 Cardigan exported 1072 barrels, and in 1782, 1734 barrels. Many of the barrels of herring where sent to London via Pickle Herring Quay in Southwark. Cardigan also sent cured herring to Bristol, Exeter, Falmouth, Dartmouth, Chester and Liverpool. One cargo even went as far as the Canary Islands.

During the eighteenth century the herring fishery encouraged merchants and mariners into the area. Timber was imported for boatbuilding and other activities such as sailmaking, ropemaking and anchor smithying were firmly established as thriving businesses. By 1850 Cardigan had 78 boats employing 400 men. However, silting of the river mouth was becoming a problem and already the herring fishery was being centred more at St.Dogmaels (Llandudoch). For a time the herring boats were kept at the "Netpool" in Cardigan but gradually moved onto the other side of the River Teifi at the "Pinog" near present day Jewson's yard in the village.

St.Dogmaels soon surpassed Cardigan and became one of the principle herring ports for Wales. (The Herring Fishers of Wales / Welsh heritage Series No.6 - Mike Smylie, 1998)