Llanllyfni
| Llanllyfni | |
| Caernarfonshire | |
|---|---|
 Dorothea Quarry flooded workings | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SH470513 |
| Location: | 53°2’16"N, 4°16’58"W |
| Data | |
| Local Government | |
Llanllyfni is a small village in Caernarfonshire, near Penygroes, and 7 miles from the county town, Caernarfon. The river River Llyfni, sometimes spelt Llyfnwy, runs through the village.
The village is largely Welsh-speaking and is a close-knit village. About over 85% of the villagers speak Welsh as their first language.
Llanllyfni enjoys stunning views towards Dinas Dinlle, the Menai Straits, the Isle of Anglesey and the rest of the Nantlle Valley.
Llanllyfni existed before the slate quarries opened. Llanllyfni grew bigger and bigger during the slate quarrying period.
Churches and chapels
The parish church, the Church of Saint Rhedyw has existed since as early as the 4th century, though the current church is somewhat newer. Here, a service is held every year on Christmas Day at 7am; a tradition that has been ongoing for hundreds of years. In Welsh, the service is called Plygain.
There are three churches in the village:
- Church in Wales: St Rhedyw
- Baptist: Capel Ebeneser, Felingerrig
- Methodist: Capel Moriah (Salem)
The original Capel Salem chapel was closed in the early 20th century, and replaced by a smaller chapel; named Capel Moriah. The larger Capel Salem chapel was eventually demolished - except for the Sunday School building. To avoid confusion, the new Capel Moriah was casually called Capel Salem by the villagers, after the old chapel.
Big society
As of 2005, a local football club was set up - Clwb Pel-droed Llanllyfni Football Club. The club, popular among many villagers, sprung their way up from the basic Safelue Caernarfon & District League to the Gwynedd League. It then went on to the very respectable Welsh Alliance League in no less than four seasons of playing football on the King George the 5th playing field, situated in the middle of the village. The King George the 5th playing field is next door to the village's much used Memorial Hall.
Llanllyfni has one remaining pub - The Quarryman's Arms - or more locally known as 'Y Cwari'. The Quarryman's Arms acts as a clubhouse to the football club, and often holds evenings of entertainment. Llanllyfni once had five pubs, at least two of them (except for the Quarryman's) can be seen today, though they have been turned into houses. The King's Head was one of them.
There is one school in the village, Ysgol Gynradd Llanllyfni - a primary school.
In the 2001 census, there were about 650 people living in Llanllyfni - over 85% who could speak Welsh fluently.
