Penygroes is a large
village in northwestern
Wales. The village is located to the south of
Caernarfon and north of
Porthmadog along the A487. Penygroes'
population stands at 1,680, of which 88% are
Welsh-speaking, making it one of the most predominately Welsh-speaking areas of the country.
History and amenities
It is located in the former
slate quarrying area of
Dyffryn Nantlle, although most of the quarries are now closed down. However it remains the valley's main shopping and administrative centre. Its biggest employer is a paper converting plant producing hand tissues and toilet rolls.
It lies in the parish of
Llanllyfni, and nearby villages are
Carmel, Talysarn, Nantlle, Tanrallt, Nebo, Pont Lloc and
Groeslon.
It is the site of the area's comprehensive
school,
Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle (opera star
Bryn Terfel's old school), and the once-legendary 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
cyclepath Lôn Eifion passes through the village, following the path of the former Bangor-to-Afonwen branch railway line, which was closed in 1964.
Penygroes lies by the edge of Lord Newborough's former estate at Glynllifon, from which several
medieval legends have emanated. The character Lleu Llaw Gyffes, who features in the ages-old...
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