- Llareggub
Llareggub is a fictional town that features in "
Under Milk Wood " byDylan Thomas . Its name resembles other Welsh place names, which often begin with "Llan-" (meaning church), but is actually derived from reversing the phrase "bugger all". In early published editions of the play it was often rendered (contrary to Thomas's wishes) as "Llaregyb" or similar. If it were to be pronounced it would be IPA2|ɬar'egːɪbInspiration for the town
The geographical inspiration for the town has generated intense debate.
Laugharne was the village where Dylan Thomas lived on and off from the thirties. This town was probably the inspiration for the people of Llareggub, although thetopography of the town is thought to be based onNew Quay ,Ceredigion where Dylan was staying when he started writing the play seriously in 1944. Both towns use the "Under Milk Wood" connection to attract tourists, hence the rivalry.Dylan drew a sketch map of the town which is now held at
National Library of Wales and can be viewed online. [ [http://www.llgc.org.uk/index.php?id=dylanthomasandthemapofllar Dylan's Llareggub map at The National Library of Wales's website] ]In the play the Rev Eli Jenkins writes a poem which describes Llareggub Hill and its "mystic tumulus". This was based on a lyrical description of
Twmbarlwm 's "mystic tumulus" in Monmouthshire that Thomas "lifted" from Arthur Machen's autobiography "Far Off Things" (1922) [Dylan Thomas, 'Under Milk Wood', The Definitive Edition (Dent: 1995.) p. 91.]Llamedos
The town's name is the inspiration for the country of Llamedos (sod 'em all) in Terry Pratchett's
Discworld setting. In the setting, Llamedos is a parody of Wales.References
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