Penderyn

Penderyn is a village near Hirwaun, in Rhondda Cynon Taff, Wales. For postal purposes it comes under the town of Aberdare.

It lies on the A4059 road between Hirwaun and Brecon and is the last named settlement on that road in the county of Rhondda Cynon Taff before the border with Brecknockshire and the start of the Brecon Beacons. The River Cynon passes through the area.

It is the home of The Welsh Whisky Company ("Y Cwmni Wisgi Cymreig"), producers of Penderyn, the award winning single malt whisky; the only whisky to be distilled in Wales, which launched in 2004 after an absence of whisky distilling in Wales for more than 100 years.

Etymology

It is believed by many in the area of the valleys that the name Penderyn is an abbreviated form of the original name and therefore has moved out of context. Welsh speakers believe that it originates from two Welsh words:

- "Pen", meaning Head of / the height/s of
- and "Derwen", this being the Welsh for Oak Tree

History

Until 1974 it was in Breconshire, the name derived from the ancient Welsh kingdom of Brycheiniog. Famous inhabitants of the village include David Wynne and of course the famous working-class hero Dic Penderyn who was involved in the Merthyr Rising 1831.

Notable people

*Gwyn Morgan (writer) - Welsh language writer lives in Penderyn
*David Wynne - composer.
*Nansi Selwood (née 8 Nov 1921) - A Welsh language writer and bard from the area who has recently (in 2003) joined the Gorsedd.

External links

* [http://www.penderyn.net/ Penderyn Online]
* [http://www.welsh-whisky.co.uk/ The Welsh Whisky Company (Y Cwmni Wisgi Cymreig)]
* [http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=2793086 www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Penderyn and surrounding area]