THE Original Conwy Pirate Festival is set to return on May 14 and 15, with a pirate ship set to attack the harbour and the castle.

The popular event is to return for the first time since 2019 due to restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic in the previous two years.

Toby Tunstall and the Chamber of Trade took control of the original pirate festival in 2018 after the annual event, usually held in the town, was moved to Rhos-on-Sea.

This year’s festival is expected to be bigger than the last in 2019, with more ships and pirates anticipated.

As well as a pirate invasion of Conwy, music, games and more are also planned, including a crabbing competition, barrel rolling and keg races, a performance from “The Old Time Sailors”, and walking the plank.

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A press release for the event said: “Ye black pirate cutter ‘Vilma’ has been spied sailing off the North Wales Coast.

“The watch has raised hue and cry, and lit the ancient warning beacons on the sea marks of Bryniau Hill between Deganwy and the Great Orme's Head, atop the Parish Church at Llandrillo yn Rhos, on Tower Hill behind Abergele and at Whitford in the county of Flint, a 25-mile sea margin to signify a high likelihood of attack by pirate-raiding parties.

“Our heroic watch be supported and armed by local landowners to warn folk of the coast should a pirate attack be likely at any time.

“These warnings come in the wake of numerous attacks along the Welsh coast by heinous Barbary pirates, who’ve snatched many residents from hamlets and farms for slavery or ransom purposes.

“Rumour has it that the town of Conwy, with its numerous prosperous burgers, could well be the pirate’s doomed destination this year.

“The Mayor of Conwy, Cllr Collette Ryan, has sent a rider to the palace and the Militia has been raised and ordered to make haste with artillery to Conwy from far and wide to defend the quay, man the great Castle of Conwy and to guard other important houses in the town.

“The Castle's Custodian has been informed and preparations are underway to further fortify the Castle.

“It be told that some businesses in the town are thought to be pirate supporters and it has been decreed that warning notices are to be displayed in their businesses and on all public notice boards.

“We earnestly plea that people make haste to ye ancient town of Conwy on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 May to help defend the town (or possibly support the pirates?!)”

For more information, go to: www.conwypirates.com.