Penygroes, Caernarfonshire
| Penygroes | |
| Caernarfonshire | |
|---|---|
| |
| Location | |
| Location: | 53°3’11"N, 4°16’59"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 1,770 (2001) |
| Post town: | Caernarfon |
| Postcode: | LL54 |
| Dialling code: | 01286 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Gwynedd |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Arfon |
Penygroes is a village in Caernarfonshire, to the south of Caernarfon and north of Porthmadog, along the A487. Penygroes' population as recorded at the 2001 Census stood as 1,770, of which 88% were Welsh-speaking, making it one of the most predominately Welsh-speaking areas of the country.
The village is an industrial village by origin, built in the former slate quarrying area of the Nantlle Valley, although most of the quarries are now closed down. Penygroes remains the main shopping centre of the valley. It is the site of the area's comprehensive school (Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle, one of whose former pupils is Bryn Terfel, the operatic tenor), and its football team Nantlle Vale, which used to be managed by the professional wrestler and promoter Orig Williams, better known by his ring name of "El Bandito". The club's former social complex has in recent years been demolished, and a brand new police station and arrest suite now occupies the site.
The biggest employer today is not a quarry but a paper converting plant producing hand tissues and toilet rolls.
The cyclepath Lôn Eifion passes through the village, following the route of the former Carnarvonshire Railway, which ran from Caernarfon to Afon Wen and closed in 1964.
About the village
Penygroes is by the edge of Lord Newborough's former estate at Glynllifon, from which several mediæval legends have emanated. The character Lleu Llaw Gyffes, who features in the ages-old legends of the Mabinogi, was said to have lived in the area. The Iron Age hillfort at Dinas Dinlleu and the village of Nantlle—originally spelt as Nantlleu—are said to have been named after him.