Ianto's Shrine is a shrine dedicated to the fictional character Ianto Jones, located in Cardiff, Wales. Established after the character's death in a 2009 episode of Torchwood, the shrine is visited by fans who often leave tributes in the form of notes, photos, flowers, and memorabilia. It began as flowers laid at a location used to depict the Torchwood Institute, and was later featured in an episode of Torchwood. Actors Gareth David Lloyd and John Barrowman have visited the shrine.
Ianto's Shrine | |
|---|---|
| Shrine | |
 Ianto's Shrine in June 2024 | |
| Opening date | July 2009 |
| Dedicated to | Ianto Jones |
| Location | Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay, Wales, United Kingdom |
| Coordinates: 51°27′47.1″N 3°9′55.1″W / 51.463083°N 3.165306°W | |
| [1][2] | |
History
editBackground
editIanto Jones is a fictional character in the television programme Torchwood, a spin-off of Doctor Who. He was killed off in the third series of Torchwood, with the episode airing on 9 July 2009.[2] He was a fan-favourite character[2] and his death caused a strong reaction from fans of the show. Writers were inundated by vitriolic messages, according to the writer James Moran.[3]
Creation of the shrine
editAfter Ianto's death, flowers were laid at a location in Mermaid Quay which had been used to depict the base of the Torchwood Institute; it soon became a shrine to the character.[4] A memorial service for Ianto, organised by the "Save Ianto Jones" campaign, was held at the shrine in February 2010, with plaques presented to Mermaid Quay staff who had looked after the shrine.[5][2] In 2011, the shrine was featured in an episode of Torchwood.[4] A plaque was added to the shrine by Mermaid Quay management in 2012.[6]
Continued existence
editIanto's Shrine is visited by Torchwood fans from around the world; many leave tributes in the form of notes, photos, flowers, and memorabilia.[4][7][8][9] A common theme for tributes is LGBTQ stories, as Ianto was in a same-sex relationship in Torchwood; other memorabilia left at the shrine references Torchwood's identity as a Welsh TV show.[6] Many tributes are left by Carol-Anne Hillman, who has placed items on behalf of people who cannot visit since 2014, and also decorates the shrine for occasions such as Valentine's Day, Easter, and Ianto's birthday.[2][10]
In May 2016, Torchwood actors Gareth David Lloyd (who played Ianto) and John Barrowman (who played Ianto's love interest, Captain Jack Harkness) visited the shrine during a visit to Cardiff.[8] Barrowman visited again in 2021.[11]
References
edit- ^ "Ianto's Shrine, Cardiff". Silverscreen Tours. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Lewis, Anna; Hillman, Carol-Anne (27 January 2020). "The woman who looks after the decade-old shrine to a fictional sci-fi character in Cardiff Bay". Wales Online. Archived from the original on 26 June 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
- ^ Walker, Kirsty (12 July 2009). "Torchwood: Children of Earth: The Aftermath". End of Show. Archived from the original on 21 June 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
- ^ a b c "Ianto's Shrine (Cardiff)". Explorial. 2 May 2024. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ Gaskell, Simon (17 February 2010). "Plaques presented at Torchwood's Ianto Jones 'shrine'". Wales Online. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ a b Potts, Liza; Beattie, Melissa; Dallaire, Emily; Grimes, Katie; Turner, Kelly (2018). "Layering Ianto's Memorial". Participatory memory: fandom experiences across time and space. Intermezzo. ISBN 9780986433368. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ Hamer, Katie Witcher (2 October 2014). "A – Z of Cardiff: I is for Ianto's Shrine". We Are Cardiff. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ a b Williams, Kathryn (18 May 2016). "Torchwood star John Barrowman pops by Ianto's shrine in Cardiff Bay". Wales Online. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ Pal, Adwitiya (29 October 2021). "Ianto's Shrine: Memorial for a fallen hero". InterCardiff. Archived from the original on 26 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ Feringa, Megan (13 February 2020). "A method to the madness: The woman behind the Ianto Jones Shrine". InterCardiff. Archived from the original on 26 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ Haring, Bruce (16 January 2021). "'Torchwood' Star John Barrowman Touches Fan Nerves With Ianto Shrine Visit". Deadline. Archived from the original on 26 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.