Gwyddelwern

Gwyddelwern is a small village of about 400 residents, situated approximately two miles north of Corwen in North Wales. Historically the village came under the Edeirnion district of Merioneth. The former Edeirnion is now part of the Glyndwr district of south Denbighshire. The village straddles the A494 trunk road.

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.

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

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, aka Bran the Blessed, stationed seven princes or knights there (the Saith Marchog) to watch over his lands while he was away in Ireland.

Its historic architecture includes the much-rebuilt high spire of the Church of St. Beuno. Which shares a boundary with the local inn - Ty Mawr, formerly the Rose and Crown. Parts of Ty Mawr date back to the 11th Century and, during extensive rennovation, a rare jetton or 15th century gaming token was found in one of the wall spaces.

Besides farm work, local employmers include a saw mill in the village and light manufacturing in Corwen and Cynwyd, further south. Some residents in the village commute significant distances.