Gwyddelwern

infobox UK place
country=Wales
welsh_name=
constituency_welsh_assembly=Clwyd South
map_type=
official_name=Gwyddelwern
unitary_wales=Denbighshire
lieutenancy_wales=Clwyd
constituency_westminster=Clwyd South
post_town=CORWEN
postcode_district=LL21
postcode_area=LL
dial_code=01490
os_grid_reference=SJ075465
OldMapsYear=1891
OldMapsEasting= 307500
OldMapsNorthing=346500

Gwyddelwern is a small village of about 400 residents, situated approximately two miles north of Corwen in Denbighshire, Wales. Historically the village was part of the Edeirnion district of the ancient county of Merioneth. Edeirnion (more recently Edeyrnion) was part of the Glyndwr district of Clwyd from 1974 to 1996, when the area came under the administration of the principal area of Denbighshire. The village straddles the A494 road (trunk road).

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The Name

The name is often "poetically" translated as "The Irishman's Alder Grove." "Gwyddel" being "Irishman", "wern" usually referring to a "damp" or "swampy area" arising from run-off from surrounding hills. In colloquial speech the village is often referred to simply as Gwyddel.

Geography

The outlook to the west of the village is dominated by the hills Mynydd-Rhŷd-Ddu and Bryn Gwenallt. To the south the view extends over the Dee Valley to the Berwyn Mountains and Arenig Fawr near Bala.

Besides farm work, local employers include a saw mill in the village and light manufacturing in Corwen and Cynwyd, further south.

History

The nearby hamlet of Bryn Saith Marchog, features in the story of Branwen, daughter of Llyr - part of the Mabinogion and is so named after Bendigeidfran, a.k.a. Bran the Blessed, stationed seven princes or knights there (the Saith Marchog) to watch over his lands while he was away in Ireland. The Lordship of Gwyddelwern was a junior title within the House of Powys Fadog and is last recorded in 1400 as being held by Tudur ab Gruffydd Fychan II who was the younger brother of Owain Glyndwr. Tudur perished in battle during Glyndwr's war of independence and the title became dormant.

Quarrying was industrially important to the village. The two local quarries being the Dee Clwyd Granite Quarry and Graig-Lelo Quarry. There is still activity at Graig-Lelo, which plays host to a vehicle breakers and a granite and marble finishing business.

The Coming and Going of the Railways

Gwyddelwern became the first fully operational railway station in the Vale of Edeyrnion, when services started on September 22, 1864 with the opening of the Denbigh, Ruthin and Corwen Railway. The station generated much income from the two quarries, which both had their own sidings. The station also had a coal yard, horse loading bay and cattle pens with a weighing machine. There was a freight loop at Gwyddelwern, on the otherwise single track line.

Passenger services ended on February 2, 1953 and goods traffic on December 2, 1957.

Architecture

Gwyddelwern's historic architecture includes the much-rebuilt high spire of the parish church of St Beuno. The churchyard is circular, an indication of the age of the site, possibly to pre Christian times.

Which shares a boundary with the local inn - Tŷ Mawr, formerly the Rose and Crown. Parts of Tŷ Mawr date back to the 11th century and, during extensive renovation, a rare jeton or 15th century gaming token was found in one of the wall spaces.

References

Dennis W. Williams, "Rails to Corwen". Dennis W. Williams, 2001

External links

* [http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=3481028 www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Gwyddelwern and surrounding area]