850 Years Since the First Eisteddfod in Aberteifi under Lord Rhys
It has been 850 years since the first Eisteddfod was held in Aberteifi, sponsored by Lord Rhys.
Plans by the National Eisteddfod to celebrate the 850th anniversary of the first Eisteddfod in 1176 are expected to benefit from a reallocation within the Welsh Language 2050 budget of the Welsh Government this year.
This financial boost is in addition to the £238,100 awarded to the Eisteddfod by the National Lottery Heritage Fund for the 850-year celebrations.
A reallocation of £290,000 from within the Welsh Government's Welsh language budget for the 2025/26 financial year is being "repurposed," according to Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Welsh Language, Mark Drakeford.
The government stated that the reallocation is mainly due to fewer than expected applications to the Perthyn grant fund, which assists community groups in establishing social enterprises, "along with the ability to deliver a number of projects with less funding."
The priority for spending the remaining £290,000 is to implement the Welsh Language and Education Act—which "seeks to ensure that every pupil reaches the end of compulsory school age as an independent Welsh language user"—as well as supporting the National Eisteddfod with plans to celebrate 850 years since the first Eisteddfod.
The original Eisteddfod was held at Cardigan Castle in 1176 under the patronage of Rhys ap Gruffydd, Lord Rhys.
A spokesperson for the National Eisteddfod stated:
"There is an exciting project underway to celebrate this important milestone in the history of the Eisteddfod," adding that they will announce further details in the spring.
The Welsh Government will also publish details of the investment at the beginning of March.
Funding for Urdd and Eisteddfod Camps Included in Government Budget
include:
- The legacy of the Eisteddfod: hopes for a new Welsh festival in the Wrexham area
- Announcement of chief officers for the 2026 Pembrokeshire National Eisteddfod
This year's Brifwyl will be held in the Llantood area of north Pembrokeshire from 1-8 August—marking 850 years since the first Eisteddfod in Aberteifi in 1176 under Lord Rhys.
Welsh Language 2050 Strategy Targets
The Welsh Government's Welsh Language 2050 strategy has two main targets:
- To increase the number of Welsh speakers to 1 million by 2050;
- To raise the percentage of the population who speak Welsh daily, and who can speak more than a few words of Welsh, from 10% (2013-15) to at least 20% by 2050.
Community groups can apply for Perthyn grants to help establish new social enterprises and/or community-led housing projects.
The grant aims to create economic opportunities, provide affordable housing, and support Welsh-speaking communities with a high number of second homes.
The Perthyn scheme is administered by Cwmpas on behalf of the Welsh Government.
The reallocation represents less than 1% of the Welsh Government's Welsh language budget for 2025-26.
