Penderyn, Rhondda Cynon Taf
Coordinates: 51°45′55″N 3°31′49″W / 51.765207°N 3.530182°W
Penderyn is a rural village in Cynon Valley, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. It is located near Hirwaun. Its origins and expansion begun as an agricultural market village, which supplied the ever growing needs of the nearby local Market Town of Aberdare, situated in the Cynon Valley in the county of Rhondda Cynon Taf in Wales
It lies on the A4059 road between Hirwaun and Brecon and is the last settlement on that road in the county of Rhondda Cynon Taf before the border with Powys to the north. The village sits just within the southern boundary of the Brecon Beacons National Park. The River Cynon passes through the area.
It is the home of Penderyn Whisky, produced by the Penderyn Distillery (formerly the Welsh Whisky Company (Y Cwmni Wisgi Cymreig)). The award winning[1] single malt whisky is the only whisky distilled in Wales, launched in 2004 after an absence of whisky distilling in Wales for more than 100 years.
Within the village, there are two chapels (Siloam Chapel and Soar Chapel) and one church (St Cynog's Church).
Etymology
Penderyn contains two Welsh words:
- Pen, meaning Head (of)
- and 'deryn',an abbreviation of "aderyn", Welsh for bird
History
Until the county's inclusion in Powys in 1974 the village lay in the traditional county of Breconshire, the name of which derives from the ancient Welsh kingdom of Brycheiniog. Famous inhabitants of the village include David Wynne but the famous working-class hero Dic Penderyn who was involved in the Merthyr Rising of 1831 was not from this parish but from Aberafon.
Notable people
- Gwyn Morgan - Welsh language writer lives in Penderyn
- David Wynne - composer.
- Nansi Selwood (née 8 November 1921) - A Welsh language writer and bard from the area who joined the Gorsedd in 2003.
- David Davies (Dewi Cynon) 1854 - 1938. Author of 'Hanes Plwyf Penderyn'.
- Lewis Lewis (Lewsyn yr Heliwr - Lewis the Haulier) transported for his part in the Merthyr Riots of 1831.
- Richard Games, Squire of Bodwigiad Appointed High Sheriff of Breconshire 1625.
See also
- Moel Penderyn - prominent local landmark
References
External links
- Penderyn Historical Society
- Penderyn Online
- www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Penderyn and surrounding area
