AN acclaimed American poet has been visiting Dylan Thomas country.

Elyse Fenton spent a day exploring Carmarthenshire, when she was thrilled to be able to visit Dylan Thomas’ Boathouse and writing shed in Laugharne.

“Last year I stayed in Dylan’s childhood home in Swansea, so it’s terrific to be able to visit the area that inspired so much of his work,” said Elyse, aged 28.

“It’s a real treat to be walking in the footsteps of such a renowned writer.”

The poet, who won last year’s Dylan Thomas Prize for young writers, spent a week in south Wales, with the trip culminating with a reading at the Hay-on-Wye Literary Festival, at an event which included the naming of the prestigious prize’s judging panel for this year’s competition.

Professor Peter Stead, the founder of the prize, said: “As we walked on the beach at Llanstephan and then looked at the tide beating against the Boathouse, it was not difficult to imagine Dylan looking out at the waves and the birds and conjuring up the images that defined his poetic vision.

“The power of Dylan brings great writers from all corners to contemplate the nature of his inspiration.”

For more details on this year’s prize, visit www.dylanthomasprize.com.