Ianto's Shrine

Ianto's Shrine
Shrine
Ianto's Shrine in June 2024
Opening date	10 July 2009
Dedicated to	Ianto Jones
Location	Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay, Wales, United Kingdom
Coordinates: 51°27′47.1″N3°9′55.1″W / 51.463083°N 3.165306°W / 51.463083; -3.165306
[1]

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 an impromptu memorial at a location used to depict the Torchwood Institute. Torchwood actors Gareth David-Lloyd and John Barrowman have visited the shrine.

History

Background

Further information: Ianto Jones

Ianto 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. ^[1] He was a fan-favourite character ^[1] and his death caused a strong reaction from fans of the show. Writers were inundated by vitriolic messages, according to James Moran, a writer for Torchwood. ^[2]

Creation of the shrine

The shrine in November 2009.

On the afternoon of 10 July 2009, an impromptu memorial was created at a location in Mermaid Quay which had been used to depict the base of the Torchwood Institute. ^[3] 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. ^{[4] [1]} A plaque that mimics blue plaques was added to the shrine by Mermaid Quay management in 2012. ^[3]

Continued existence

Ianto's Shrine is visited by Torchwood fans from around the world; many leave tributes in the form of notes, photos, flowers, and memorabilia. ^{[5] [6] [7]} 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. ^[3] 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. ^{[1] [8]}

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. ^[6] David-Lloyd visited again for the 10th anniversary of Ianto's death in 2019, ^[9] and Barrowman visited again in 2021. ^[10] David-Lloyd has described the shrine as "very weird but very flattering". ^[9]

Gallery

• 
  The site of the shrine in May 2009, before Ianto's death.
• 
  The plaque added by Mermaid Quay management, and a plaque by the Save Ianto Jones campaign.
• 
  Tributes on the shrine in June 2010.

References

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Hamer, Katie Witcher (2 October 2014). "A – Z of Cardiff: I is for Ianto's Shrine". We Are Cardiff. Archived from the original on 26 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
6. Williams, Kathryn (18 May 2016). "Torchwood star John Barrowman pops by Ianto's shrine in Cardiff Bay". Wales Online. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Griffin, Louise (9 July 2024). "Torchwood's Gareth David-Lloyd: "I'd definitely go back - it changed my life"". Radio Times. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
10. 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.