Welcome

Welcome to the Newtown Community

and the old Parish of St Paul's

An account of a community now physically destroyed but remembered by many. A memorial garden has been constructed  in the area formerly known as "Newtown: Little Ireland" We are also interested in recording the history of this unique community in words and in pictures. Perhaps you have a photograph, family history or a story you would like to contribute and have included on these pages. If so we would love to hear from you

So, where was the district of Newtown ?

As you will see from this ariel view of Cardiff Docks (circa 1950) Newtown  (streets highlighted) was sandwiched between, Cardiff Docks, Splott and the main Swansea to London railway line

Newtown Location

During the mid 1840's The Marquis of Bute  made arrangements to bring a large number of Irish families to Cardiff in order to provide the necessary labour to complete the Bute Dock. He settled some of them into purpose built housing in an area close to the docks and the Newtown Community was born.This self perpetuating community continued to live within these six streets until the mid 1960's, when a compulsory purchase order was put on the land.  The community was dispersed and the people  rehoused in various parts of the City. Their homes, Ciurch, Shops and Pubs were demolished in 1970. And the areas in which the people of Newtown lived and worked are now part of Atlantic Wharf - on the fringe of Cardiff Bay. 

 


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