Da gwybod…
Five things you might not know about Sir Gâr (Carmarthenshire)
#1 You can see the Northern Lights here
When the conditions are right you can take in the Aurora at Llwynbwch Farm. And 2024/2025 has been a particularly good time to take it in because we’re at the peak of the sun’s 11 years cycle of activity.
These shots were taken on New Years Day 2025 and show the distinct red pillars, green and purple glow of the Northern Lights, right here at Under Starry Skies!
They are taken using a long exposure to capture out the full beauty of the Aurora - with Llwynbwch Barn in the foreground and the striking silhouettes of bare Winter trees.
Something really cool goes on under the water, at night, on the shoreline at some of our amazing Welsh beaches…
Tiny plankton living in the sea around Wales cause ‘bioluminescence’ - literally lighting up the sea in a blue glow. When they are disturbed by movement, like big waves, they create their own light and can light the shoreline up. It’s thought the plankton light up to protect themselves from danger - to entice a bigger hunter to eat their potential predator. Local filmmaker Alyn Wallace made this footage of his experience.
Although it takes a lot of trips and a lot of patience to spot this incredible phenomenon of nature - bioluminescence is best tracked in the warmer summer months, and in the wee small hours, along the beaches at Pen-bre (Pembrey) and 3 Cliffs Bay and Caswel Bay on Y Gŵyr (the Gower).
#2 Bioluminescent Plankton!
#3 Red Kites are a common sight
Swooping overhead, with their distinctive whistling call, red kites are another of the fabulous everyday sights and sounds of Carmarthenshire. With a reddish-brown body and forked tail and boasting a wingspan of up to 2 metres, these majestic birds of prey thrive in broadleaf woodlands, soaring slowly overhead and riding the thermals. Study them and you might be lucky to witness a lightning-fast swoop straight down as they dive down for prey. The return of the red kites, nearly wiped out completely in Britain, demonstrates what incredible results long term conservation efforts can achieve.
Fun Fact: Did you know red kites were once common in London, scavenging for scraps, and are mentioned in Shakespeare’s A Winters Tale?!
If you’re looking to study the kites up close - check out nearby British Bird of Prey centre at the National Botanic Gardens of Wales - or the Red Kite feeding centre.
#4 The oldest book written in Welsh was written here - and you’ll hear this ancient language spoken everywhere..
Visit our local towns - Llandovery, Llangadog and Llandeilo - and you’ll hear Welsh spoken in the shops, in pubs and restaurants. You can buy Welsh books, newspapers and magazines, and all the signs and material from local and national Government have to be bilingual by law. 40% of people in Carmarthenshire speak Welsh, and the rescue and revival of the Welsh language is recognised around the world as a huge success story. It’s an ancient and beautiful language and finding out more about it really helps you connect to the place - particularly when you learn of intriguing Welsh words with no direct English translation - like Hiraeth - which means a kind of homesickness, tinged with grief and sadness.
Fancy trying out some Welsh while you are here? Here’s a handy guide with all important audio pronunciations!
The Black Book of Carmarthen is believed to tbe the oldest surviving book wrtten in Welsh. It’s a collection of poetry and tales of legendary Welsh heroes, thought to date from 1250 and includes stories from Dark Age Britain, including the legend of Myrddin. It’s an incredible survival… and you can browse it electronically on the National Library of Wales website.
#5 We have a Sheep Festival!
Yes you heard it right. Where better than our local town, vibrant and gorgeous Llandovery, to celebrate the history of the drovers and their animals who shaped the town and made it what it is today.
Usually held at the end of September each year, the festival celebrates all that is wonderful about Llandovery - with food & drink, live music, craft, performing arts as well as a host of other attractions and activities. Including spinning, weaving and wool. And real live sheep!
