The Gorsedd window, situated in the ‘Y Teras’ Lounge area, is commonly referred to as the ‘Proverb Window.’ This artwork was established in 1974 as a contribution from the Ivy Bush Royal Hotel to the Royal National Eisteddfod of Wales, which took place in Carmarthen in August of that year. It also serves as a remembrance of the hotel’s historical ties to the festival, as it was on this site that Iolo Morganwg established the first Gorsedd Circle of Bards in Wales in 1819. The window was designed and crafted by John Petts, an artist of international acclaim, and its creation spanned four months, culminating in its unveiling by Lord Chalfont on August 6, 1974.
The Gorsedd, meaning “throne,” was first convened in London in 1792 by Edward Williams, who is more widely recognized by his bardic name, Iolo Morgannwg. A poet and political radical, Morgannwg fabricated documents to assert that his imaginative creations, including the Gorsedd, were rooted in the ancient history of Celtic druids.
The Eisteddfod has a rich tradition that dates back centuries, originally serving as a gathering for bards to formalize poetic standards and elevate literary quality. The provincial eisteddfod was initiated by Thomas Burgess, Bishop of St Davids, and took place at the Ivy Bush Hotel in 1819. Within the hotel grounds, Iolo Morganwg arranged a small druidic stone circle and conducted a Gorsedd ceremony, where participants donned armbands of various colours.
In the Victorian era, various organizations convened at the Royal Ivy Bush, as it was then called, including the Pembrokeshire & Carmarthenshire Otter Hounds and the Carmarthenshire Conservative Association.
In April 1909, the monthly session of the Carmarthen County Court took place at this venue. The primary case involved Thomas Morley from Llandybie, who alleged that his “motor bus” had sustained damage from a horse and cart owned by Samuel Jones, a butcher from Llanarthney.
From 1794, the Ivy Bush was managed by Charles Nott which was then situated on King’s street. His son, General Sir William Nott, had a notable military career within the British Empire and is honored with a statue located in Nott Square, Carmarthen. In 1806, Mrs. Nott, associated with the Ivy Bush, placed an advertisement seeking a “middle-aged woman” to serve as her housekeeper and lady’s maid. By 1809, Mr. Nott was in search of a “handsome modern-built post-chaise with a barouche box,” which refers to a four-wheeled carriage.
During the mid-19th century, the establishment was owned by Valentine and Letitia Rees. Their grandsons, who were raised in Tenby, achieved victory in the Grand National in both 1921 and 1922.
Hello, I am Jack the General Manager of The Ivy Bush Royal Hotel. I have been at the hotel since November 2023. When the position was offered, I was excited at the challenges the Ivy Bush had to offer, it quickly became apparent that the Ivy Bush is truly in the heart of the community of Carmarthen. After starting my career in hospitality, I am privileged to be the General Manager of such a historically loved hotel. I’m very privileged to have such talented staff to work alongside my goal of making the Ivy Bush thrive in such a community that it is loved.
Hi, I’m Patrycja, I have been working in F&B at the Ivy Bush Royal Hotel for nearly five years & was promoted to supervisor in 2024, I mainly work the evenings for events and functions, I ensure your event set-up and food service runs smoothly, you may see me in the day time but I’m more of a night owl. My favourite event is Christmas day where I run food service in the Croseo suite, I love seeing everyone enjoy themselves on one of our biggest events of the year.
Being Carmarthen born and raised the Ivy Bush Hotel has held a place in the community for all my life. I’ve spent years attending every type of function possible in the Ivy Bush over the years so when I fancied a career change there was only one place I wanted to work. I started as a receptionist at the Ivy Bush in August 2024 and have loved my time here so far. There is nothing better than giving guests a warm Welsh smile and welcome. I never imagined the work that goes into a hotel and love being a part of it.
Hello I’m Richard and I am the maintenance manager at the Ivy Bush, being a maintenance manager in a hotel that’s over 300 years old has its challenges, nothing is ever as simple as it seems to be. I love overseeing and managing larger projects we undertake at the hotel. As well as the day-to-day maintenance we have within a hotel.
Hi, I’m Mariola, I’ve been at the Ivy Bush since 2021, and during the last year, I’ve been leading the team in housekeeping. I love the organization and enjoyment when the hotel is busy & making sure the bedrooms and hotel are clean and presentable for our guests. I’ve enjoyed building a team and teaching new members. In my spare time, once I’ve put the hoover down, I love spending time with my children and watching them grow up.
Helo, Mair ydw I, I’ve been part of the Ivy Bush Family for nearly 23 years. I love my job and still get excited to come to work in the morning after all these years. You’ll mainly see me for breakfast and lunch, I love seeing all the familiar faces around the hotel in the morning, and giving a warm Welsh welcome to everyone when they come down in the morning for their breakfast. Edrychaf ymlaen at eich croesawu
Hi, I’m Lucy, I am the Meetings & Events Coordinator at The Ivy Bush Royal Hotel. I help plan and organise everything from meetings and conferences to weddings and special events, ensuring every detail is taken care of. I particularly enjoy helping couples create their perfect wedding day and being part of such memorable occasions. Outside of work, I have the pleasure of teaching baton twirling to children across Wales, nurturing their confidence, discipline, and love of performance.
Hi, I’m Ella, I look after the hotel’s accounts, reporting, and financial processes, helping everything run smoothly behind the scenes. I enjoy working with different departments to support both our team and our guests and love being part of what makes the hotel successful. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends and walking my pooches along the coast.
