Mixed Wales Trivia

1. What is the name of the channel which lies between Wales and Ireland, connecting the Irish Sea and the Celtic Sea?

From Quiz A Welsh Potpourri

Answer: St George's Channel

St George's Channel is the body of water which lies between St David's Head and Pembroke on the Welsh side and Rosslare and Wexford on the Irish side. Ferries run from Fishguard and Pembroke in Wales to the port of Rosslare in Ireland. The crossing takes about three and a half to four hours, and these are the main routes between the southern halves of Wales and Ireland. Further north you would be crossing the Irish Sea, while the Celtic Sea is part of the Atlantic Ocean, extending from the Bristol Channel as far south as the Bay of Biscay.

From Quiz The Land of my Fathers, Wales

Answer: Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau

Well there were little hints in the false answers. "Battri'n fflat" is "flat battery". "Troli" is Welsh for "trolley". "Ddisgo" is Welsh for "disco" There was no hint in the actual answer.

From Quiz Cymru Ambyth! (Wales Forever!)

Answer: Castles

At one time there were more than 600 castles and forts in a country of 8,023 square miles (20,779 km2); more than 100 still stand complete. Dotting the countryside are Iron Age hill forts, ancient Roman ruins, and medieval castles of Welsh princes and English kings. With elaborate water defenses, Caerphilly Castle (Castell Caerffili) is the largest castle in Wales and the second largest in the British Isles and all of Europe, behind Windsor Castle in England. Gilbert De Clare, 7th Earl of Gloucester (Gilbert the Red), built Caerphilly Castle in hopes of conquering Glamorgan in south Wales. Hundreds of years of fragmented conflict from invaders and within Welsh principalities has made Wales the "castle capital of the world". [Contributed by AndrewWales and gracious1]

From Quiz Wales: Moans, Wails and Groans

Answer: Wales

The Union Flag, often known as the Union Jack, was adopted in 1801 at the creation of the new United Kingdom. It features the crosses of St Patrick (originally for Ireland, later Northern Ireland), St Andrew (Scotland) and St George (England). No element of the Welsh flag is featured. It wasn't an oversight - Wales was part of the Kingdom of England, so not treated as a separate entity.

From Quiz I Said Wales, Not Whales

Answer: 1955

Cardiff was chosen as the capital city of Wales by a ballot on 2nd July 1954. Home Secretary Gwilym Lloyd-George announced the result in 1955. The members of the local authorities who took part in the ballot overwhelmingly voted Cardiff as the Welsh capital.

From Quiz The Ten Welsh Commandments

Answer: Sheep

It's sheep of course. I'm not obsessed with them personally, so I'm not sure if it's 20, 50 or 100 sheep for every one person in Wales (or another ratio altogether), but the Welsh have always been accused (mainly by our near neighbours, who I'm sure are jealous) of taking the role of sheep in the Welsh society far too seriously, especially in a social sense. Seaweed patties wouldn't be such a crazy answer - we do love our laverbread (made out of a particular type of seaweed found on the South Wales coast), but not as much as we love our sheep.

From Quiz Uniquely Welsh Without Question!

Answer: A breed of cattle

One of the oldest cattle breeds in the United Kingdom. Welsh Blacks have had a revival since the 1960's and are now found in the USA, Canada, new Zealand and Germany. They are prized for the quality of their beef.

From Quiz What in Cardiff ?

Answer: Principality Stadium

Opened a year before the London Millennium, just in time to host the Rugby World Cup in 1999, the Millennium Stadium was built on the old National Stadium site. As well as hosting rugby internationals, it is also the home to the Welsh soccer team, and many other events. It was changed to Principality Stadium for sponsorship purposes.

From Quiz The Guild has a 'Wales' of a Time

Answer: big hill

Fellow Brit, TabbyTom, informs us that, according to Wikipedia, the Pennsylvanian town takes its name from an estate near Dolgellau in North Wales, but "Brewer's Dictionary of Names" derives it from the mining village near Ebbw Vale in South Wales. There is another place of the same name on the Lleyn Peninsula in the north-west. At all events, the name is Welsh and its meaning is clear. There are plenty of other Welsh place names in Pennsylvania. Welsh-speaking Quakers established a "Welsh Tract" in the state, in the late seventeenth century, and some of the place names date from that time. Others appear to be of nineteenth-century origin: no doubt the burgeoning steel mills and coal mines attracted ambitious Welshmen doing similar work in South Wales.

From Quiz Welsh Rarebits

Answer: The Mormon Tabernacle Choir

What's that old joke about when two Scots meet, they invent something, when two Irishmen meet they stand each other a beer, when two Englishmen meet they wait for a third to introduce them to each other, and when two Welshmen meet, they form a choir? I'm not saying that the Welsh come out of the womb singing, but if they did, it wouldn't surprise me! The Welsh love to sing, and they're very good at it. Dan Jones, a Welsh immigrant to the U.S., became a friend of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of the Latter Day Saints (Mormons) not long before Smith died. Jones had been converted by Smith and in 1843, he was commissioned by Smith's successor Brigham Young to conduct a mission in Wales. Jones began his mission in Merthyr Tydfil, and it was very successful. Times were hard for the Welsh (their language and customs were in jeopardy because of oppressive laws isued from Westminster) and the lure of a promised land was irresistible. They settled in Utah in their hundreds, and by 1847, under the leadership of Welshman John Parry, they had formed a choir (which is much the same as saying that the sun will come up tomorrow). It was Parry's successor, another Welshman named Evan Stephens, who formed the great Mormon Tabernacle Choir, using the voices of Parry's Bowery Choir as the core. One of the plus factors of having Welsh and Welsh-descended singers around is that instrumental accompaniment isn't necessary, so even out in the middle of the desert, it's possible to have a choir. The Welsh are very comfortable singing a capella, and will naturally form into soprano, alto, tenor and bass groupings, singing point and counterpoint harmonies with ease.

From Quiz A Welsh Potpourri

Answer: Richard Llewellyn

Llewellyn claimed at the time that this story of Welsh mining folk in south Wales was based on his own life. In fact, he was English although of Welsh heritage, and his material came from meetings and discussions with mining families. The main character in the novel is Huw Morgan, the academic son in a mining family. The story covers his early life and attempts to avoid becoming a miner like his father and brothers. After his father dies in a mining accident, Huw moves away from Wales - subsequent novels reveal that he goes to Patagonia in Argentina, home to many Welsh emigrants. The film came out in 1941 with Roddy McDowell playing Huw. It won several Oscars including Best Director for John Ford.

From Quiz The Land of my Fathers, Wales

Answer: 1955

Cardiff was declared the capital of Wales in 1955; it was ranked as a city in 1905. It is the home of Cardiff City Football Club, Cardiff Rugby Union Football Club and Wales play their home Rugby Union Football games in the city as well. However between the middle of the nineteenth century and up until World War II, the people of Wales considered Merthyr the capital as it was the biggest populated urban area in Wales.

From Quiz Wales: Moans, Wails and Groans

Answer: ECB

The England and Wales Cricket Board was created in 1997. It oversees the test team (England) and the county game. It's a bit Anglocentric, and some Welsh cricket people have considered going it alone.

From Quiz I Said Wales, Not Whales

Answer: Bog Snorkelling

The World Championships of Bog Snorkelling started in 1985. They are held annually on the August bank holiday. The World Championships for marbles, gurning and conkers are all held in England.

From Quiz Wales, By Category

Answer: Barry Island

There used to be a Butlins holiday camp in Barry Island. Though now, it is more famous for its beach and pleasure park.

From Quiz Uniquely Welsh Without Question!

Answer: A breed of sturdy small horse

In this context I am describing a breed of pony and cob which are well known for their versatility, strength and hardiness. They have a gentle disposition. At the Royal Welsh Show held annually in Mid Wales they are amongst the most popular breed shown.

From Quiz What in Cardiff ?

Answer: Cardiff Castle

Cardiff Castle was first established by the Romans - and the Roman Keep can still be seen in the middle of the Castle Grounds. The Normans added the outer walls, and it was further "embellished" in Victorian times by the 3rd Marquess of Bute who commissioned William Burges to turn it into ... something quite unique, that has to be seen to be believed !

From Quiz Welsh Rarebits

Answer: 'Land of My Fathers'

'Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau' was adopted in 1858. The words were written by Welsh poet Evan James and the beautiful music by James James (and they probably weren't related; it's just that there aren't a whole lot of different surnames to go around in Wales). 'When You Come Home Again to Wales' is a song made popular by the late, great Sir Harry Secombe, host of 'Songs of Praise' and 'Highway' (a TV program that, in part, introduced the beauty of Wales to audiences around the world). Sir Harry was also one of the Goons, along with Spike Milligan and Peter Sellers. (The Goons were the inspiration for Monty Python, Beyond the Fringe, and other off-the-wall British comedy troupes.)

From Quiz The Land of my Fathers, Wales

Answer: The long jump

Lyn "The leap" won the gold medal for the long jump at The Tokyo Olympics. He also competed in the 100 meters and the 4 x 100 relay, but he did not compete in the shot put.

From Quiz Cymru Ambyth! (Wales Forever!)

Answer: The first-ever performance of the Welsh National Anthem

There is a plaque on the cellar of the Workingmens Club which is the site of the original Welsh Tabor Chapel. The National Anthem was written by father and son Evan and James James. So within a week of writing the song, in 1856 one Sunday at the end of January or the beginning of February, a sixteen-year-old young lady, Miss Elizabeth John, sung "Hen Wald Fy Nhadau" ("Land Of My Fathers"). [Contributed by LLynfi]

From Quiz Wales: Moans, Wails and Groans

Answer: Winston Churchill

During a bitter and violent dispute between miners and pit owners in 1911, Winston Churchill, the Home Secretary, sent troops into Tonypandy, in the Rhondda, to enforce order. The act was seen in Wales as an over-reaction which contributed to the defeat of the miners.

From Quiz Cymru - 'Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau'

Answer: A collection of Welsh myths and legends

To give this work its correct name, the 'Mabinogi' from the Welsh word 'mab' meaning 'boy' or 'youth', the 'Mabinogion' could be considered an early adventure annual for boys. This work was compiled during the early years of the nineteenth century from two texts written during the late medieval period; the White Book of Rydderch (c. 1350) and the Red Book of Hergest (c. 1382-1410). Consisting of eleven tales in total, much of the content of the 'Mabinogion' is set in the period before the Roman invasion of the British Isles and consists of a collection of ancient Welsh poetry, fables and Arthurian legend, much of which was written in the ancient Welsh language.

From Quiz I Said Wales, Not Whales

Answer: Ray Milland

Ray Milland was the first Welsh actor to win the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of the alcoholic Don Birnam in 1945 in the film "The Lost Weekend". The next Welshman to win Best Actor Oscar was Anthony Hopkins for his portrayal of Hannibal Lecter in the 1991 film "The Silence of the Lambs".

From Quiz Wales, By Category

Answer: Swansea

Catherine Zeta-Jones has starred in many movies including "Intolerable Cruelty", "The Legend of Zorro" and showed off her vocal talents in "Chicago". She married Michael Douglas in 2000 and has two children with him.

From Quiz The Ten Welsh Commandments

Answer: Three feathers with pride

The three feathers has become a symbol of Wales - although for many Welsh people, as the Prince of Wales' insignia, it is still a symbol of British Monarchy, and therefore an anathema to them. Still, our rugby sides wear the three feathers on their badges, so I suppose we ought to wear it to show a bit of solidarity with them, even if the origins of the badge are a little controversial in Wales! Kilts and sporrans are more the territory of our Celtic cousins in Ireland and particularly Scotland, though we have seen some recent attempts at encouraging the Welsh to wear them - but frankly, we simply don't have the legs to get away with it, being short and squat and all that!

From Quiz Uniquely Welsh Without Question!

Answer: Welsh Corgi

There are two types of corgi. The Pembrokeshire and the Cardiganshire. They are much beloved by HRH Queen Elizabeth II but not by me. They were bred to be cattle herders and have the inborn ability to dodge cattle hooves and nip at the ankles of slow animals. Ouch, that hurt! I said they're not for me. They have been described as having a fox like head. Incidentally the 'Cor' part of the name comes from the Welsh word for dwarf and the 'ci' from the Welsh word for dog.

From Quiz What in Cardiff ?

Answer: The Welsh College of Music and Drama

As well as Sir Anthony, other well known stars of stage and screen educated at the College include Ruth Jones (Little Britain and Gavin & Stacey), Eve Myles (Torchwood) and Dougray Scott (Enigma, Mission Impossible II, Desperate Housewives).

From Quiz The Guild has a 'Wales' of a Time

Answer: Cardiff

Apathy100 blends a little bit of history with a little bit of geography, about a subject that is near and dear to the hearts of most Welshmen! S.A. Brain's was established and has operated as a Victorian brewery since 1882. In 1997, S.A. Brain's merged with the Crown Buckley brewery (which had been the oldest brewery up to that point) to officially become the largest brewery in Wales. After the merge, S.A. Brain's continued to brew most of the Crown Buckley products. Some, however, were taken off the line and discontinued. For many Welsh citizens, this was seen as an insult and many claimed that S.A. Brain's had officially ruined Buckley beer products. All in all, however, visitors to the Cardiff region of Wales will not be disappointed when walking down St. Mary Street. The distinct aroma of beer can be smelled when walking near the old brewery. The company has taken special precautions to keep Buckley's brews separate and distinct from those of the Brain's brews. The most popular Buckley's brews include Buckley's Dark, Buckley's Best Bitter, and Reverend Jamesaehave. Popular Brain's, Brain's Dark, Brain's Bitter, and Brain's S.A. (Skull Attack).

From Quiz Welsh Rarebits

Answer: First non-Englishman to head the Church of England

Well, you can scratch that bit about a female Archbishop of Canterbury for a start! Have you seen pictures of Rowan Williams? He's lovingly known as the Hairy Archbishop, what with his whiskers and all (besides the C. of E. is still deciding whether or not women look good in purple); and there's no way on God's green earth that a non-Anglican could ever head up the C. of E. - that would be nothing short of heresy in the eyes of Anglicans everywhere; and as for being the first ABC with a doctorate, that isn't true, either. No, Rowan Williams is the first non-Englishman to head the Church of England since it was established in 1534. Dr. Williams was born into a Welsh-speaking family in Swansea in South Wales, and is a theologian, scholar and poet ... and proud Welshman. If you look closely at his magnificent gold cope (that's the long cape worn by Anglican bishops - dressing-up is something we Anglicans enjoy), you'll notice that the clasp (officially called a morse) is formed by a Celtic cross with a dragon rampant on each side. One dragon is made of red Welsh gold and the other dragon is made of white gold. The clasp was designed by Rhiannon Evans, a goldsmith from Tregaron near Aberystwyth in mid-Wales, and symbolizes an old prophecy of Merlin (yes, another Welshman), that the red dragon (Wales) would defeat the white dragon (the Anglo-Saxons). Incidentally, the Archbishop of Canterbury is the spiritual head of the Church of England, while the Queen is the temporal head of the Church. Archbishop Williams has no over-arching authority in the worldwide Anglican Communion, because each province of the Anglican Communion is an independent church, so he does not have the same authority as the Pope. However, as the Archbishop of the oldest see in the Anglican Communion, he is known as the Primus Inter Pares (the First Among Equals).

From Quiz A Welsh Potpourri

Answer: Harry Secombe

The four names listed are the original Goons. Milligan was born in India and claimed Irish heritage from his father, although he spent most of his life in England. Bentine and Sellers were both English, but Harry Secombe was born in Swansea so was definitely Welsh. 'The Goon Show' was primarily the creation of Spike Milligan, with the other three members playing various characters. It was a mixture of parody and surrealism with funny names, voices and sounds. Bentine stayed with the show only for the first two seasons and was not replaced. Harry Secombe had an excellent tenor singing voice and made several records. Two of his songs made the UK Singles Charts, 'If I Ruled the World' in 1963 and 'This is My Song' in 1968. He also presented various television programmes, particularly those with a religious theme.

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