Maentwrog
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Maentwrog is a village and community in the Welsh county of Gwynedd, lying in the Vale of Ffestiniog, within the Snowdonia National Park. The River Dwyryd runs alongside the village. According to the 2001 census, the population of Maentwrog was 585.[1]
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[edit] Location and transport
The village lies on the A496 road from Harlech to Blaenau Ffestiniog built c.1800 by William Oakeley, and the Roman road Sarn Helen (now classified as the B4410) at the junction with the A487 road from Porthmadog, leading to the A470 road (to Trawsfynydd and Dolgellau).
Tan-y-Bwlch railway station is the principal intermediate station on the Ffestiniog Railway and is also within the village of Tan-y-Bwlch. Plas Tan y Bwlch has its own station Plas Halt.
[edit] Etymology
Maentwrog literally means "Twrog's stone". According to legend, a giant known as Twrog hurled a boulder from the top of a hill down into the settlement, destroying a pagan altar. This stone is said to be the one located in St Twrog's Church courtyard. It is said that if one rubs this boulder one is fated to return to the village in the future.
However the name was already in existence at some time before this as it is said in Welsh mythology found in the Mabinogion that Pryderi was killed at the Glaslyn river and in Maentwrog is he buried. The boulder supposedly hurled by the giant is the one said to mark Pryderi's grave.
[edit] History
According to information in St Twrog's Church of Maentwrog, based on a late and dubious addition to the Bonedd y Saint, there were four brothers and sons of Ithel Hael o Lydaw (Brittany) who came to Wales as Christian missionaries:
- Saint Baglan is the founder and patron saint of Llanfaglan (more correctly Baglan);
- Saint Tanwg is the founder and patron saint of Llandanwg;
- Saint Tegai is the founder and patron saint of Llandegai;
- Saint Twrog is the founder and patron saint of Llandwrog and of Maentwrog.
The village settlement expanded in the 19th century to house workers from local slate mines. Within the village community is the imposing Plas Tan y Bwlch, home of the Snowdonia National Park Study Centre and former residence of the Oakeley family.
Maentwrog hydro-electric power station was opened in 1928, and still produces electricity today. It is supplied by water from Llyn Trawsfynydd, a large man-made reservoir located near the village of Trawsfynydd. The Department of Atomic Energy built a station in Maentwrog in 1947, possibly investigating sites for the production of heavy water.
[edit] Social facilities
There are two village inns, The Grapes, a 17th century Grade 2 listed coaching inn near the parish church; and The Oakeley Arms, across the valley at Tan-y-Bwlch.
[edit] Notable residents
The British astrologer Russell Grant is currently a notable resident of Maentwrog.[2].
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- GENUKI(tm) page
- Plas Tan y Bwlch - Snowdonia National Park Study Centre
- www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Maentwrog and surrounding area
- Map sources for Maentwrog
Coordinates: 52°56′43″N 3°59′18″W / 52.94523°N 3.98824°W
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