Deiniolen (/dnɪˈɒlɛn/; Welsh: [dɛinɪˈɔlɛn]; Welsh pronunciation) is a village in Gwynedd, Wales, at the foot of Elidir Fawr, in Llanddeiniolen Community. Deiniolen has views over Caernarfon (7 miles away) and on a clear day, Holyhead Mountain and occasionally the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland, can be seen. The population of the electoral ward was 1,909 as of 2011, including nearby Dinorwig,[1] with 81.2% of the population speaking Welsh. The community, Llanddeiniolen, has a population of 5,072 as of the 2011 census, the third-largest in Gwynedd.

Deiniolen
Christ Church (Eglwys Grist), Llandinorwig
Deiniolen is located in Gwynedd
Deiniolen
Deiniolen
Location within Gwynedd
Population1,909 (2011)
OS grid referenceSH581631
Community
Principal area
Preserved county
CountryWales
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townCAERNARFON
Postcode districtLL55
Dialling code01286
PoliceNorth Wales
FireNorth Wales
AmbulanceWelsh
UK Parliament
Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament
List of places
UK
Wales
Gwynedd
53°08′46″N 4°07′16″W / 53.146°N 4.121°W / 53.146; -4.121

Ysgol Gynradd Gwaun Gynfi provides Welsh-medium education for children between 3 and 11 years in the village.

The slate industry was an important employer in Deiniolen until the closure of Dinorwig Quarry in 1969.

Village History

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The settlements now known as Deiniolen and Clwt-y-Bont began in the 1820s based along the road and railway to the nearby Dinorwig Quarry.[2] The village was originally known as Llanbabo (since several settlers arrived from the Anglesey village of Llanbabo) and later the village adopted the name Ebeneser (from the Chapel established in 1823). In the 1920s, after a campaign led by Huw Robert Jones, the village adopted its current name of Deiniolen.[3]

Christ Church, Llandinorwig
Christ Church (Eglwys Grist) was built in 1857. The money to build the church was donated by Thomas Assheton Smith (1776–1858) of Faenol, who was the owner of the village's main employer, Dinorwig Quarry.
Ebenezer Chapel
Ebenezer Chapel (Capel Ebeneser) was built in 1823. The first minister was the Rev. David Griffydd with Rev. John Prichard being the last. Two of the most important annual events in Deiniolen are held in the chapel's vestry. These are the Deiniolen Eisteddfod and the Carnival Queen Crowning Concert; local school children take part in both events which still continue to this day throughout the village. The chapel was the source of the village's original name Ebeneser.[4]
Cefn y Waun Chapel
Cefn y Waun Chapel (Capel Cefn-y-Waun) was built by local quarrymen in 1838. Before the chapel was built the local people held their services either in local farmhouses or in the open air. In 1867, the chapel was worth £2,100 but the chapel also had a debt of £2,100. The first minister was Rev. W. Rowlands.

Seindorf Arian Deiniolen - Deiniolen Silver Band

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Deiniolen Silver Band (Seindorf Arian Deiniolen) was formed (originally as Llandinorwig Brass Band) in 1835 by a group of quarrymen, and has now grown to be one of Wales' major brass bands. The band is currently competing in the First Section. Most recent success includes a third place at the National Brass Band Championships in 2015 and coming second at North Wales Rally (Open Section) in 2017.

Deiniolen Football Club

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Deiniolen FC was formed in around the 1950s when the side was playing in the local Caernarfon & District League. After a year absence from the local league, the team has recently reformed.

Notable people from Deiniolen

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Album cover featuring Annette Bryn Parry, 2005

References

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  1. ^ "Ward population 2011". Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  2. ^ "Deiniolen (409887)". Coflein. RCAHMW. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  3. ^ John Davies et al, The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales, p.424
  4. ^ Mills, A.D. (2003). A Dictionary of British Place-Names. Oxford University Press. p. 250. ISBN 0-19-852758-6.
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