This film is part of Free

1966 - Dulyn, Gwynfor, 'Steddfod, 1968 - Is-Etholiad Caerffili

1966: Dublin remembers the Easter Rising 50 years ago and, in London, Gwynfor Evans enters Parliament as the first Plaid Cymru MP. Winifred Ewing (SNP MP) arrives in 1967.

Home movie 1966 15 mins Silent

From the collection of:

Logo for National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales

Overview

Celtic commemoration, celebration and protest: Dublin marks the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising and Welsh and Scottish nationalists meet in London to celebrate the arrival in Westminster of the first Plaid Cymru MP, Gwynfor Evans (1966) and the second Scottish Nationalist MP, Winifred Ewing (1967). In Aberystwyth, Cymdeithas Yr Iaith Gymraeg (campaign group for the Welsh language) stages a protest outside the post office, demanding official status for Welsh.

Gwynfor Evans (1912-2005) – lawyer, writer, pacifist, Christian and president of Plaid Cymru from 1945-81 - won the Carmarthen seat in a by-election following the death of Megan Lloyd George who had held it for Labour. It reverted to Labour in 1970 but Gwynfor won it again for the period 1974-79. Phil Williams, seen here electioneering, almost succeeded in becoming Plaid Cymru’s second MP in 1968 when he campaigned in the Caerffili by-election following the death of Ness Edwards (Labour) – he came close but Labour held on. This title also includes footage of the National Eisteddfod at Port Talbot in 1966 (where Gwynfor signs autographs) and there are shots throughout of many people prominent in Welsh life.