Mysterious Britain & Ireland

Country and County: Wales

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Folklore / Folktales / Giants / Legends / Welsh Folktales

The Great Giant of Henllys

The original tale first appeared in The Athenaeum, published in 1847, and tells how a tyrannous figure became even more fearsome as a ghost after he had died. Three brave priests finally exorcise the ghost with a mix of magic and prayer.

Apparitions / Black Dogs / Folklore / Hauntings

Laugharne

A spectral dog known as the Gwyllgi or the ‘Dog of Darkness’ is said to haunt the town. The dog appears with flaming red eyes, and is said to run from the castle to the town along an old route-way.

Directions: On the A4066

Legends / Merlin

Ogaf Myrddin

Ogaf Myrddin means Merlin’s Cave, and this is one of the locations where he is said to sleep awaiting his release. The cave is hidden behind a waterfall.

Directions: Northwest of Brechfa

Ancient Sites / Burial Mounds / King Arthur / Legends

Bedd Arthur

The whole area around Dyfed is associated with Arthur, outlined in the old Welsh tales now part of the Mabinogion. This cairn on the hilltop is thought to be Arthur’s Grave.

Directions: The grave is in the Prescely Mountains

Fairies / Folklore / Welsh Fairies

Llyn Y Fan Fach

Traditionally the lake is thought to have been bottomless, and it has long been associated with fairies.

Folklore / Folktales / Welsh Folktales

The Shepherd of Myddvai

This tale tells how a young shepherd won and lost a fairy bride from Lynn y Fan Fach (Van Vach), the fairy lake at the foot of Bannau Sir Gaer in the Brecon Beacons. This version was collected and told by Joseph Jacobs and appeared in his book Celtic Fairy Tales published in 1892 (David Nutt).

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Fairies / Folklore / Welsh Fairies

The Coblynau

The Welsh version of the Cornish Knockers, these mine spirits were relatively good humoured, and helped the miners by knocking in places with rich lodes of mineral, or metal. The Coblynau dressed in miners’ attire, and stood at around 18 inches in height.

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Fairies / Folklore / Welsh Fairies

The Cwn Annwn

The Cwn Annwn, which means hounds of the otherworld (underworld), are Welsh phantom dogs seen as a death portent. Their growling is louder when they are at a distance, and as they draw near the growling grows softer and softer.

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Fairies / Folklore / Welsh Fairies

Bendith y Mamau

Bendith Y Mamau means ‘the mothers blessing’ and is a generic name for the fairies, especially in Southern Wales.

In appearance the fairies are described as small and ugly, and are most readily identified with the Brownies, or the West Country Pixies, although they have the characterisations of most fairies.