Gwynedd duo lead North Wales' National Eisteddfod honours

The National Eisteddfod presented the 2024 Rhondda Cynon Taf chair to ITV journalist Carwyn Eckerley, who studied at Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle in Penygroes, for his collection of 12 poems exploring grief, inspired by the passing of his own father when he was a child.

The 28-year-old is one of the youngest ever to win the chair and his success headed up an impressive year at the Eisteddfod for performers, artists and writers from across North Wales.

Joining him as a winner was writer Eurgain Haf. Originally from Llanrug, Eurgain studied at Ysgol Brynrefail and, writing under the pseudonym Manaia, won with her novel Morfarch Arian (Silver Seahorse).

Morfach Arian is the story of a family of four facing mental wellbeing challenges around the death of a grandmother. It deals with issues both sensitively and with humour.

And the prestigious Richard Burton Medal went to Owain Sion from Llanfairpwll for his on-stage delivery of two contrasting powerful monologues. 

Pianist Brandon Luke Edwards from Valley took home the 16-19 Instrumental Blue Riband with a virtuoso performance, while Lisa Morgan of Bangor also played a piano piece to claim third. 

Meanwhile Holyhead's Lal Prydderch Ifan streetdanced her way to victory in the 12 and under Solo Dance. Caernarfon's Nel Sian Parry brought home third place in the over 12s Solo Dance.

North Wales' singers had a fantastic Eisteddfod, dominating in the solo tenor categories and winning a number of other solo, ensemble and choir prizes.

Ruthin's Elis Jones was crowned best Solo Tenor over 25 at the National Eisteddfod in Rhondda Cynon Taf. (Image: National Eisteddfod)

Ruthin's Elis Jones claimed the honours in the 25 and over Tenor Solo. He was joined by Bala's Elis Garmon Jones who won the 19-25 Tenor category, ahead of Flint's Rhys Garmon and Cai Fôn Davies from Bangor.

Fôn Davies went on to claim the prize for Solo Recitation from any Scripture. 

There was also a win for Anglesey's Bethan Elin in the 25 and over Solo Soprano category. Bethan was also third in the Welsh Solo section.

Bethan Elin of Anglesey claimed the Soprano Solo title at the National Eisteddfod. (Image: National Eisteddfod)

Tomos Heddwyn Griffiths brought a deeper tone to proceedings as the Trawsfynydd singer claimed the 19-25 Bass Baritone prize.

Caernarfon's Leusa Francis won the under 19 Solo from a Welsh Musical category ahead of Llanbedr DC's Branwen Medi Jones. Medi Jones also took second place in the 16-21 Cerdd Dant Solo section behind Gwenan Mas of Denbigh and ahead of third-placed Elaine Rhys of Trawsfynydd. 

Caernarfon's Leusa Francis won the National Eisteddfod's U19 Solo from a Welsh Musical section.. (Image: National Eisteddfod)

Another second came in the 16-21 Folk Song category where she finished just ahead of Llanfair PG's Fflur Erin Edwards and Branwen finished third in the over 16s duet with Hanna Tudor.

Branwen finally took a deserved top honour when she won the 16-19 Solo section ahead of Ruthin's Georgia Williams.

Branwen Medi Jones of Llanbedr DC won the 16-19 Solo category as Rhondda Cynon Taf hosted the Eisteddfod. (Image: National Eisteddfod)

Cadi Elis Roberts of Caernarfon took home the honours for solo recitation 12-16 while fellow Caernarfon entrant Alis Tomos won the Monologue for 16-19 prize.

Mold sisters Beca and Awen Hogg, who have a reputation for delivering memorable Eisteddfod performances, won the Solo and Folk Song Solo 12-16 sections respectively, before teaming up to complete a treble with the Cerdd Dant Duet Under 16 title.

Mold sisters Beca and Awen Hogg returned from the Eisteddfod with a trio of titles. (Image: National Eisteddfod)

Also in the 12-16 Folk Song Solo section, Tesni Thomas of Abergele claimed third place. 

Choirs and ensembles from the North did well this year.

Ysgol Glaenethwy in Bangor won the under 25 Folk Song Party category and the Cerdd Dant Ensemble title - adding to their second place in the Open Choir competition and third in the Soprano Alto Choir contest.

The open-age Cerdd Dant Ensemble saw Parti'r Cwm of Bala claim second place and there was another near-miss for North Wales as Merched Mela of Pwllheli also took second in the Open Vocal Ensemble. 

Brass bands also fared well, with the Class Four title going to Band Porthaethwy of Bangor and Anglesey's Seindorf Ieuenctid Beaumaris taking second in the Youth Brass Band section.

Anglesey's Seindorf Ieuenctid Beaumaris brass band took second in the Eisteddfod's Youth Brass contest. (Image: National Eisteddfod)

Rounding off the Eisteddfod for North Wales was Erin Llwyn of Corwen, who finished third in the Gwyneth Morus Jones Memorial Prize Solo recitation for 16-21 and Twm Tegid of Trefynnon, who came a creditable fourth in the Towyn Roberts Scholarship contest.