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Llŷn Peninsula

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*Map sources for Llŷn Peninsula
Hafan Pwllheli Marina
St. Tudwal's Islands from Mynytho

The Llŷn Peninsula (Template:Lang-cy) extends thirty miles into the Irish Sea from north west Wales, southwest of the island of Anglesey. It is part of the modern county and historic region of Gwynedd. The name is thought to be of Irish origin, and to have the same root — Laighin in modern Irish — as the word Leinster. To many English and Welsh speakers alike, the name is also spelled Lleyn Peninsula.

Historically, the peninsula was used by pilgrims en route to Bardsey Island (Welsh Ynys Enlli), and its relative isolation has helped to conserve the Welsh language and culture, for which the locality is now famous. This perceived remoteness from urban life has lent the area an unspoilt image which has made Llŷn a popular destination for both tourists and holiday home owners, although holiday homes remains a bone of contention among locals forced out of the housing market by incomers. In the 1970s, 80s and 90s, shadowy terrorist group Meibion Glyndŵr launched a number of arson attacks on holiday homes using incendiary devices.

Tân yn Llŷn 1936

Concern for the Welsh language was ignited in 1936 when the UK government settled on establishing a bombing school at Penyberth on the Peninsula. The events surrounding the protest became known as Tân yn Llŷn (Fire in Llŷn).[1] The UK government settled on Llŷn as the site for its new bombing school after similar locations Northumberland and Dorset were met with protests.[2]

However, British Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin refused to hear the case against the bombing school in Wales, despite a deputation representing half a million Welsh protesters[2]. Protest against the bombing school was summed up by Saunders Lewis when he wrote that the British government was intent upon turning one of the 'essential homes of Welsh culture, idiom, and literature' into a place for promoting a barbaric method of warfare.[2]

On 8 September 1936 the bombing school building was set on fire and in the investigations which followed Saunders Lewis, Lewis Valentine, and D.J. Williams claimed responsibility. [2] The trial at Caernarfon failed to agree on a verdict and the case was sent to the Old Bailey in London. The "Three" were sentenced to nine months' imprisonment in Wormwood Scrubs, and on their release they were greeted as heroes by fifteen thousand Welsh at a pavilion in Caernarfon.[2]

Welsh Language

According to the 2001 census the number of Welsh speakers in Wales increased for the first time in over 100 years, with 20.5% in a population of over 2.9 million claiming fluency in Welsh, or one in five. [3] Additionally, 28% of the population of Wales claimed to understand Welsh. [3] However, the number of Welsh speakers declined in Gwynedd from 72.1% in 1991 to 68.7% in 2001.[3]

The decline in Welsh speakers in Gwynedd may be attributable to non Welsh speaking residents moving to North Wales. The Welsh Housing Crisis (2008) led to property rates above what some local Welsh speakers could afford.

Geographic notability

Geographically, Llŷn is notable for its large number of protected sites — including a National Nature Reserve at Cors Geirch, a National Heritage Coastline and a European Marine Special Area of Conservation as well as twenty Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Much of the coastline and the ex-volcanic hills are part of the Llŷn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), confirming the peninsula as one of the most scientifically important in both Wales and Britain. The Llŷn Coastal Path long distance footpath enables walkers to fully explore both coasts of the peninsula.

Settlements

Settlements on the Llŷn peninsula include:

Hills

Hills in Llŷn include:

On 19 July 1984 there was an earthquake beneath the peninsula. It measured 5.4 on the Richter Scale and was felt in many parts of Ireland and western Britain; see 1984 Llŷn Peninsula earthquake.

The Welsh Language and Heritage Centre of Nant Gwrtheyrn is situated on the north coast.

References

  1. ^ John Davies, A History of Wales, Penguin, 1994, ISBN 0-14-014581-8, page 593
  2. ^ a b c d e Davies, op cit, page 592
  3. ^ a b c Census shows Welsh language rise Friday, 14 February, 2003 extracted 12-04-07


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