Living Language
Welsh & National Identity
Despite mass objection, in 1960-1965 the Tryweryn River was dammed, flooding Capel Celyn and surrounding farmland to make way for a reservoir to service Liverpool. The village was a thriving Welsh language community steeped in culture and Quaker heritage, and permission was granted from Westminster without consultation in Wales. The FWA (Free Wales Army) first made headlines in their protest over the outrage, cutting microphone lines and drowning out speakers at the opening ceremony. Adjacent to Llyn Celyn is Frongoch, an Irish nationalist internment camp from the time of the 1916 Easter Rising. Michael Collins was a prisoner there, and following Tryweryn, the FWA forged links with the IRA. Writers such as RS Thomas and Saunders Lewis were openly political at this time – supporting the movement and contributing to debate directly, as well as through their words. The National White Water Centre runs water sport activities on Tryweryn River.
Photograph of Capel Celyn, taken by Geoff Charles in autumn 1963, around the time of the last chapel service - by permission of The National Library of Wales
Llyn Celyn
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- Region : North West Wales
- Grid Ref : SH 86290 40523
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Despite mass objection, in 1960-1965 the Tryweryn River was dammed, flooding Capel Celyn and surrounding farmland to make way for a reservoir to service Liverpool. The village was a thriving Welsh language community steeped in culture and Quaker heritage, and permission was granted from Westminster without consultation in Wales. The FWA (Free Wales Army) first made headlines in their protest over the outrage, cutting microphone lines and drowning out speakers at the opening ceremony. Adjacent to Llyn Celyn is Frongoch, an Irish nationalist internment camp from the time of the 1916 Easter Rising. Michael Collins was a prisoner there, and following Tryweryn, the FWA forged links with the IRA. Writers such as RS Thomas and Saunders Lewis were openly political at this time – supporting the movement and contributing to debate directly, as well as through their words. The National White Water Centre runs water sport activities on Tryweryn River.
Photograph of Capel Celyn, taken by Geoff Charles in autumn 1963, around the time of the last chapel service - by permission of The National Library of WalesMore Living Language locations
