Day-by-day programme for 2018 Eisteddfod

The 2018 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod runs from Tuesday-Sunday, July 3-8.

The evening concert line-up features performances from Alfie Boe and Van Morrison, colourful and inclusive daytime activities and a star-studded Llanfest, the International Eisteddfod’s very own mini-festival, headlined this year by Kaiser Chiefs.

This year's Eisteddfod will also pay tribute to nine 100th anniversaries focusing on the areas of music, world events and the community throughout the week.

Themed activities each day will examine the perspectives of women, soldiers and the collective nation.

Throughout the week on the field there will be live performances from emerging bands, musicians and street performers from across the globe, as well as activities to entertain children in the Kids Zone plus food, drink and local craft stalls.

There will also be an exciting range of outreach events including concerts at St Collen’s Church (1pm Tuesday – Friday), preliminary competitions in Llangollen Town Hall, performances in the new Centenary Square (Tuesday – Saturday) ahead of its rededication on Sunday 8th July and a vibrant display by dance competitors in Riverside Park, Llangollen (Saturday 7th July, 2pm).

Tuesday 3^rd July

Day Events

Children’s Day will open the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, this year welcoming almost 3,700 visitors from 55 schools across the country.

The opening day, which is exclusively for schools, will feature the fantastic musical CACAN (CAKE) by Theatr Clwyd and their young company (aged 4 – 16), performances from myriad international competitors and the delivery of the Peace Message from Ysgol Dinas Brân.

Inspired and created by young people from the region in partnership with Theatr Clwyd, CACAN (CAKE) is a bilingual mini musical which explores what peace means to them and asks the question, is achieving peace a piece of cake?

This year’s Peace Message, written by Christine Dukes for the third consecutive year, marks the centenary of the end of World War One and tells the tale of sightings of the ‘Angels of Mons’ who were reputed to have appeared to both allied and German forces in their time of need. Concluding with a peace song called Peace at Last written by Christine and composed by Elen Mair Roberts, Chair of the Music and Staging Committee of the Eisteddfod, the performance remains a poignant reminder of the message at the heart of the festival.

Throughout Children’s Day sponsor, NSPCC Cymru Wales, will take to the World Stage to talk PANTS to young visitors, with their friendly dinosaur, Pantosaurus (10am – 3pm). As well as entertaining and informative talks, there will be activities for children to learn Pantosaurus’ five easy rules for staying safe.

Opening day of Llangollen 2018 will also see the first official use of Centenary Square ahead of its rededication on Sunday 8^th July. Performances are planned from Tuesday – Saturday.

Evening Concert: Alfie Boe (pictured above) in Concert

Wednesday 4^th July

Day Events

The Eisteddfod will celebrate the tenth year of its award-winning Inclusion Project. Facilitated by a grant from the ScottishPower Foundation, the performance is once again set to capture the hearts of festival audiences (Atkinson & Kirby Globe Stage, 10am; Pavilion, 2:30pm).

Reflecting the diversity of society and the International Eisteddfod’s ethos of promoting understanding and acceptance though music and dance, five groups will present their own short performance before coming together to perform the finale piece, a specially commissioned based on the groups’ thoughts on the theme SEND a Message.

This year the participating groups are Ysgol Tir Morfa, a community special school in Rhyl that caters for pupils aged 3 – 19 years with a wide range of additional learning needs; specialist school, St Christopher’s in Wrexham, Derwen on Tour (DOT), a group of  Creative Studies students from Derwen College, Gobowen, Shropshire, who offer Makaton sign, song and dance performance and workshops; Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn from Denbigh, North Wales’ regional centre for autism education, and the Theatretrain Regional Choir from Mold.

Highlights from the competitions will be the International Voice of Musical Theatre competition, where aspiring musical theatre performers will sing for the opportunity to take the prestigious title and win an all-expenses paid trip to perform at the Gold Coast Eisteddfod in Australia.

The Aroha Junior Choir from India will compete in the Children’s Folk Song competition, making them the first Indian choral group to ever perform at the International Eisteddfod, while festival favourites, Mother Touch Dance Group from Zimbabwe will take to the stage to compete in the Children’s Folk Dance contest.

Evening Concert: The Classical Collection

* The Cantorian/Sirenian singers. 

Finalists of the Pendine International Voice of the Future Competition, which aims to advance the career of young singers, will entice the audience with breathtaking performances as they compete for the prestigious title and a share of the £10,000 prize fund, which has  been donated by Pendine Park and the Bryn Terfel Foundation for the second year in a row.

While the judges deliberate on the finalists’ performances, the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod’s Music Director, Vicky Yannoula, will take to the piano alongside acclaimed pianist Peter Jablonski. The pair with treat audiences to a moving collaboration, featuring well-known and much-loved pieces. The two-pianos extravaganza will begin with a performance of some of the most iconic pieces from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Suite arranged by Nicolas Economou, followed by Yannoula and Jablonski’s performance of Fêtes from Nocturnes by Debussy (arranged by Ravel) and Lutoslawski’s utterly thrilling Paganini Variations.

The evening will be rounded off by an uplifting performance from the Cantorion Sirenian Singers, a 50-strong mixed voice choir based in North Wales. The first ever Welsh choir to win the Choir of the World trophy at the International Eisteddfod in 1998, their repertoire will include favourites such as Y Tangnefeddwyr, Elijah Rock and Hobed O Hilion.

Thursday 5^th July

* Special guests: Calan

Day President: Olwen Williams OBE (in recognition of the 70 anniversary of the NHS)

Day Events

Competitions will gather pace on the field, with the Strings Guzheng Ensemble from Guangdong, China, take to the stage for the Instrumental Ensemble. Following its inauguration into the competitions programme in 2017, the International Acapella Group category returns bigger a better, with groups from India, Canada, Wales, England and the USA engaging in an exhilarating vocal contest for one of the festival’s newest accolades. New for 2018 in the competitions is the Vocal Solo 16 – 19 category, furthering the festival’s commitment to providing a platform for talented young musicians.

At 3:30pm in the Pavilion there will also be a special presentation of a donation by The Friends of the Eisteddfod to representatives of the International Eisteddfod. This year’s donation is a milestone as it the highest ever presented in one year and takes total donations since the Friends were founded in 1973 to more than half a million pounds.

Evening Concert: International Celebration with special guests Calan

International competitors and special guests from across the globe will unite on Thursday 5^th July, promising an immersive sea of vibrant colours and eclectic sounds, as they weave through the audience with their giant flags in the captivating Procession of the Nations.

The evening will explore the International Eisteddfod’s unique founding values of sharing music, dance, peace and friendship, with children from Ysgol Dinas Brân presenting a message of goodwill to the world in the delivery of the 2018 Peace Message, ahead of festival President, Terry Waite CBE’s heartfelt welcome message.

In the second part of the show, the winner of this year’s Rotary International Peace Award, sponsored by Typhoo Tea, will be revealed and celebrated for its contribution to the furtherance of peace and understanding.

The show will be brought to a conclusion by award winning band, Calan, who will set feet tapping with their contemporary and quirky interpretation of Welsh folk music. The five-piece band come with accordion, harp, guitar, fiddles and Welsh bagpipes, to entrance the audience with their beautiful and haunting melodies.

 Friday 6^th July

Day Events

The International Parade (4:30pm) processes from the Pavilion down through the town of Llangollen and then back to the Eisteddfod site. Spectators are invited to follow the celebration and join Bands on the Field until 7:45pm for £1. Bands performing on the three outdoor stages from 5:30pm include, The Herbert Spliffington Allstars, Billy Bibby & the Wry Smiles, The Cazadors, Ceidwad Y Gân and Ragsy.

Folk and Dance will dominate the competitions on Friday, with global competitors participating in the Traditional Folk Dance Group, Choreographed/Stylized Folk Dance Group, Adult Folk Song Choirs and the Open Folk Solo (Vocal).

Evening Concert: An Evening with Van Morrison (pictured below). 

Saturday 7^th July

Day President: Lord Hague

Day Events

There will be a special joint performance by non-competitive choirs KorRey from Iceland and Manchester Community Choir (12:15pm, The British Ironworks Amphitheatre). Originally a traditional church choir, Kor Reyðarfjörður (KorRey for short) has expanded into a community choir of 21 singers, aged from 24 to 70. The choir has built a relationship with the Manchester Community Choir, who encouraged them to apply to perform at the International Eisteddfod this year.

The competitions will also build up to their exciting climax, with the hotly contested Mixed, Open and Male Voice Choir competitions and the enthralling Cultural Showcase contest taking place in the Pavilion during the day.

NSPCC Cymru Wales will also be back at the festival with Pantosaurus the friendly dinosaur, this time in the Harmony Centre, to teach children how to stay safe from abuse and share materials for parents and guardians to help get this simple safety conversation started at home.

At 2pm the Dancing in the Street competition will take place in the riverside park in town, with adjudication on the Ampitheatre stage at 4pm – in this competition the watching public are able to indicate their favourite group and this ‘vote’ will be noted by the Eisteddfod adjudicator.

Evening Concert: Choir of the World with special guests Red Priest (pictured below).

Winners of the international choral competition competing for the titles of Choir of the World 2018 and the Pavarotti Trophy. Those taking part in the dance categories will participate in the Dance Champions of the World 2018 finals.

Baroque instrumental group, Red Priest, will also contribute to the excitement of the evening as the International Eisteddfod’s special guests.

Sunday 8^th July

Day President: Julia Baird (sister of John Lennon, in celebration of the 50^th anniversary of The Beatles animated musical fantasy comedy film Yellow Submarine)

* The Kaiser Chiefs.

Llanfest 2018

Kaiser Chiefs will be headlining on the main stage at Llanfest, supported by renowned pop rock band The Hoosiers and nineties icons Toploader, following an exciting day of rock, pop and indie performances from emerging bands and brand new talent on the outside stages.

The Cavern Club Liverpool will host its first ever pop-up stage, with myriad of performances by their world-class resident musicians covering the countless artists that have graced The Cavern Club stage over the years. Other performers include rising star from Llangollen, Jack Found, alt-rock ensemble Billy Bibby and The Wry Smiles, Staffordshire indie/rock band Camens, 70s/80s classic rock cover band, Destination. They will be joined by West Kirby based neo folk rock singer Lucy Mayhew, who currently recording her debut EP, folk/rock singer Ben Roberts and Wrexham-based singer/songwriter, Luke Gallagher, who returns to play at this year’s Llanfest with his nostalgic blend of Mod/60s/90s tunes.

* Tickets can be booked online at www.llangollen.net or via the box office. 

Ann puts out call for more festival singers

* Looking for more basses and

tenors for world premiere - Ann Atkinson.

A top conductor who led the Fron Choir to global fame is looking for more singers from North Wales to join a new choir for a world premiere at an international festival.

In particular tenors and basses are desperately needed to join the ranks of the Welsh National Opera’s Festival Community Chorus at this year’s North Wales International Music Festival.

They will be in the spotlight for the much anticipated Requiem Reflections concert at St Asaph Cathedral on Saturday, September 22.

The concert will feature the first performance of Materna Requiem by leading British composer Rebecca Dale whose globally acclaimed work spans television, cinema, theatre and the concert hall.

Her latest masterpiece will be performed alongside extracts from Mozart’s Requiem and Durufle’s Requiem in one of UK classical music’s most thrilling evenings of the year.

It will be spectacularly staged on the middle Saturday of the North Wales International Music Festival in the stunning surroundings of the cathedral, renowned for its outstanding acoustics.

The festival, which runs from Saturday, September 15, to Sunday, September 30, is being supported by the Arts Council of Wales and Tŷ Cerdd.

The festival’s artistic director, Ann Atkinson, was at the helm of the Fron Choir when they signed to Universal Music Classics and Jazz in 2006 after being spotted by a recording manager at a wedding.

She now has two other choirs, Côr Meibion Trelawnyd and Côr Meibion Bro Glyndwr, as well as running the North Wales International Festival.

Ann said: “The world premiere is certainly expected to be a 2018 festival highlight, one all the performers as well as the audience are very much looking forward to.”

She and Welsh National Opera (WNO) Producer Ruth Evans are appealing for more tenors and basses aged 18 and over to sign up for the event.

Applicants will need to commit to attend a schedule of Sunday evening rehearsals between now and September but Ann says the sense of achievement they will feel will make the hard work well worthwhile.

She said: “Our Festival Community Chorus events are always full of energy and promote an enhanced sense of involvement among the local population.

“We’re forever grateful to the Welsh National Opera team for collaborating with us on this and working so hard with the choir to ensure they deliver the highest standard of performance.”

The Festival Community Chorus is not a set group, but its singers are recruited on a performance by performance basis, meaning it is open to keen amateur choristers and local community singers to apply to take part.

WNO’s Ruth Evans who is producing the concert, said that “We are delighted with the number of applications and interest from soprano and alto singers to join the Chorus. However basses and tenors have been slightly more reluctant to come forward, so we’re putting out a determined call to ensure we have the right balance for what will be an extraordinary concert.

“One thing we can guarantee is that they won’t regret it. Everyone who’s taken part in previous Festival Community Chorus concerts has had an unforgettable experience and relishes the chance to perform alongside professional instrumentalists and Welsh National Opera singers. For many it's been the performance of their lives.”

Ruth added: “It’s shaping up to be a memorable event, but we are short of tenors and basses. So we urge all you tenors and basses out there to come forward and give it a go. We look forward to hearing from you.”

To take part singers are asked to pay a nominal fee of £30 in return for which they benefit from the expert tuition of WNO professionals. That is in addition to enjoying the opportunity to sing in the world premiere showpiece, accompanied by the NWIMF resident orchestra, the award-winning NEW Sinfonia, led by one of Britain’s most gifted young conductors, Robert Guy, of Wrexham.

Materna Requiem has been three years in the making according to its composer Rebecca Dale who has also recorded the piece for public release on Decca label this year.

Dale has written for numerous classical artists and ensembles including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Mari and Hakon Samuelson, the Scottish Festival Orchestra, the London Mozart Players, the Latvian Opera Orchestra, and cellists Richard Harwood, Benjamin Hughes and Oliver Coates.

Her score to Crossing the Line was nominated for best original music in feature film at the 2017 international Music and Sound Awards and she has worked on films including Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, director Stephen Frears' The Program, action film The Take starring Idris Elba, BBC period drama series The Paradise and The Secret Agent, and BBC’s Frozen Planet Live.

Rehearsals led by the Welsh National Opera team will take place at Venue Cymru each Sunday in June and July, on Sunday August 26, and on Sundays September 2 and 9, from 5.30-8.30pm. There will also be a rehearsal on Saturday, September 15, from 11am-2pm.

Chorus members also need to commit to perform over the full concert weekend on Friday, September 21 from 6-9pm, and at the Requiem Reflections day and evening concerts on September 22 at St Asaph Cathedral.

* To sign-up contact WNO Community Chorus North Manager Sioned Foulkes at sioned.foulkes@wno.org.uk and for more information about this year’s festival please email caroline@nwimf.com or visit www.nwimf.com.

Pensioner has 12-hour ambulance wait after fall

The Denbighshire Free Press is reporting today how a 96-year-old man had to wait 12 hours for an ambulance after falling in woods at Llangollen.

For the full story, see:

http://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/16317084.Pensioner__96__left_waiting_12_hours_for_ambulance_after_falling_over_in_Llangollen_woods/

John Lennon's sister to be Eisteddfod day president

Julia Baird, John Lennon’s sister, will be the first person ever to be honoured as the Day President for Llanfest, the finale day of the International Eisteddfod.  

There has been a long tradition of Day Presidents being honoured at the week-long Eisteddfod.

They are invited to the event to recognise the ongoing work they do in spreading the message of peace and goodwill, which is at the heart of the event.  

* John Lennon's sister, Julia Baird.

Llanfest is the final Sunday of the festival and has evolved into a modern mix of rock, pop and indie music, including bands such as the Manic Street Preachers and this year’s headliners, indie-pop legends the Kaiser Chiefs. 

On Sunday July 8 Julia will be joining Liverpool’s iconic The Cavern Club at Llanfest, which is hosting a special pop up stage for the first time bringing their world class resident musicians to Llangollen.  

Julia is a director of The Cavern Club and is an avid supporter of sharing the message of peace and harmony through music. 

She said: “It’s a great honour to be chosen as an International Eisteddfod Day President.  I truly believe in the ethos of this festival, which brings together different cultures from around the world to celebrate peace and friendship. 

“And what a perfect way to mark the 50th anniversary of the Yellow Submarine which is actually on the day of Llanfest.

"The song will undoubtedly be performed on The Cavern Club stage and we hope the crowds will join in too to mark this special milestone.”  

Julia follows a number of prominent International Eisteddfod Day Presidents, including Pavarotti, Mike Peters from the Alarm, Julian Lloyd Webber, Lesley Garrett CBE, Karl Jenkins CBE and Shân Cothi.  

Rhys Davies, chairman at Llangollen Eisteddfod, said: “We are delighted to welcome Julia on Sunday.  There is a clear synergy between Lennon’s peace messages in his music and our festival. We enrich lives though music.  

“Political and religious differences are put to one side, and through the universal language of music and dance people get to know each other and compete in a unique and friendly environment.” 

This year, the star-studded Llanfest concert line-up features performances from prolific artists, including Van Morrison and Alfie Boe. Indie pop legends, Kaiser Chiefs, nineties icons Toploader and pop rock band Hoosiers will be taking centre stage during Llanfest, the festival’s finale party on the Sunday.  

* For more information, visit: www.llangollen.net  

Llangollen Railway chooses new chairman

At the recent annual general meeting, Llangollen Railway's chairman, Peter Lund, stood down after serving for three years.

He remains a director of Llangollen Railway Trust.

In his place, the railway has appointed Liz McGuinness (pictured) as chairman of Llangollen Railway PLC and the Llangollen Railway Trust Ltd.

Liz has been at the railway as an active volunteer for seven years and has been on the board as commercial director.

She was appointed the railway’s general manager in September 2017 and April 2018 took on the revised role of business manager.

Liz said: “I anticipate the challenge of leading the Llangollen Railway onward as we prepare to open our new terminus at Corwen. I am proud and excited to be part of Llangollen Railway. The volunteers and staff are a great bunch of people and they have achieved some fabulous things so far. 

“I want to work with everyone to continue to drive the railway forward to enhance the facilities and earn more revenue. This is vital for the prosperity of Llangollen Railway as a major tourist attraction in the Dee Valley. The railway is a significant part of the local economy and I will work with local businesses, Denbighshire Tourism and the Countryside Services to further enhance our visitor experience.

"The opening of Corwen Station will be a major achievement and will give visitors to North Wales greater access to Llangollen and the Dee Valley AONB via the trains.

“I would like to thank Peter Lund for all the work he did as chairman over the past three years and I am sure I will be making use of his knowledge over the coming months.”

Mr Lund said: “I have known Liz since she started as a volunteer at the railway. She has a definite passion for Llangollen Railway.

"I am looking forward to working with Liz in her new role. Her past work experience in the commercial world will be of value in achieving the aims she has set herself. ”

Care home residents tune up for Eisteddfod

* Jenny Pearson with the Welsh National Opera singing to residents Janet Green and Betty Thomas with care practitioner Vanessa Jones.

A group of musical care home residents have been tuning up for an international festival with the help of an opera singer and a top accompanist.

Mezzo soprano Jenny Pearson and pianist Annette Bryn Parri who plays regularly for Sir Bryn Terfel spent the day at the Pendine Park care organisation in Wrexham.

They were rehearsing songs which they will be singing with local schoolchildren at  dementia music workshops at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod next week.

The care organisation is a long-term backer of the festival via the Pendine Arts and Community Trust which supports nearly 30 arts and community initiatives.

Among them is the prestigious Pendine International Voice of the Future which will be one of the highlights of the Eisteddfod which gets underway on Tuesday, July 3.

For the second year the Pendine Arts and Community Trust  is contributing £5,000 to the prize fund with the rest being donated by the Sir Bryn Terfel Foundation and Llangollen Eisteddfod.

The dementia workshop at the festival is being organised Sarah Edwards, the artist in residence at Pendine Park.

She said: “We have been holding dementia workshops at Llangollen for five years now and they are really successful. It’s a chance for residents to mix with children and enjoy song and music in a relaxed atmosphere.

“The workshops are aimed at children while the visit of Jenny and Annette today is so residents can enjoy the songs they will hear at Llangollen and have a chance of learning them ahead of the festival.

“We are very lucky to have the support of Jenny and Annette. Jenny has run the workshops for the last five years and does a fantastic job. This year the workshops will be led by one of her Bangor students.”

She added: “We take residents from each one of our care homes along with carers to Llangollen and it’s always a fun day that gets everyone involved.

“Residents have clearly enjoyed today and it’s been amazing to hear Hillbury Care Home resident Dianne Morris singing so beautifully alongside Jenny Pearson. She has obviously had training in the past and has a wonderful voice.”

Jenny Pearson, who performs regularly with Welsh National Opera and also works with Only Boys Aloud, has always enjoyed the Pendine Park dementia workshop project.

She said: “It’s wonderful and lovely to come into care homes and share the power of music. My student, Morgana Warren-Jones will lead the Llangollen workshops this year alongside accompanist Annette Bryn Parri.

“It’s an important project and it’s always nice to see children enjoying singing with care home residents while also learning a little about dementia.

“Coming into Hillbury Care Home and the other Pendine Park homes and working with residents is just amazing.

“You meet people like resident Dianne Morris and have no idea she can sing so well. She has obviously had professional training and has a wonderful voice. But it’s a pleasure to sing with and listen to all of the residents.”

Accompanist Annette Bryn Parri, who has worked with Sir Bryn Terfel and other top opera singers, says this year she has having time off from performing on the main Llangollen stage but is still looking forward to the Pendine Park dementia workshops.

She said: “I’ve enjoyed playing piano all my life and have worked as an accompanist since graduating from the Manchester’s Royal Northern College of Music in 1984.

“I’ve been involved with the Pendine Park project since 2015 and work with the Jenny Pearson and the Welsh National Opera a great deal, it’s a fantastic project and I love coming to Pendine Park care homes.”

She added: “We have a motto, if a resident is smiling, happy and enjoying the music and can remember the songs, that’s all that is important.

“Llangollen is always a brilliant day and I really enjoy playing in the workshops. This year will be the first year for 15 years I won’t be performing on the main stage. I’m having a rest but will still get a great deal of satisfaction from the workshops.”  

Dianne Morris, 69, who is living with dementia, really enjoyed singing Jenny Pearson.            
She said: “I grew up in Liverpool and had singing lessons as I did voice as part of my music A-level. I joined a music group in Liverpool and sang in the Anglican cathedral.

“I also sang at Liverpool Grand Opera, I was a gypsy girl in the chorus. I would have loved to have sung professionally but missed my chance. “

She added: “I’ve really enjoyed singing again today with the lady singer; she was wonderful and has a gorgeous voice. IT was really very good. I’m looking forward to singing with children, that’s going to be nice.”  

Fellow resident, Heather Davies, originally from Bradley, near Wrexham, is looking forward to going to Llangollen.

She said: “I went last year and I remember some of the songs. I still sing the Banana song we learnt to myself!

“I enjoy singing and it’s been lovely hearing the lady sing today and been able to join in. I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s nice they have come in to see us and sing with us.”

According to Hillbury enrichment and activities co-ordinator Lisa Bowering, the dementia workshop at the eisteddfod was one of the highlights of the year.

She said: “Residents really enjoy it particularly seeing and singing with so many children.
“The workshops are aimed at children and increasing awareness of dementia. The idea of today is to get residents in the mood and excited about Llangollen. It’s amazing how they remember the songs and how they enjoy joining in.

“I was watching residents as Jenny Pearson was singing and our resident Heather Davies, who was at Llangollen last year, joined in and was word perfect. It’s amazing how she remembered the song from last year.”

Newspaper article talks of Ladies' relationship

* The Ladies of Llangollen.

A newspaper article says the Ladies of Llangollen became Ireland’s “first known lesbian couple” years before it was decriminalised.

The precise relationship of the two women who fled from their homes in British-ruled Ireland in the late 18^th century to famously set up home at Plas Newydd has long been the subject of debate.

Many claim Lady Eleanor Butler and Sarah Ponsonby were like-minded friends while others believe they were linked romantically.

However, a story in Ireland’s Sunday Independent last weekend describes their status in very definite terms.  

The subject of the ladies, who both lie buried beneath their own memorial in St Collen’s churchyard in the town, was raised by the newspaper ahead of a vase featuring them coming up for auction in Ireland early next month. Comments

The story says: “Two Irish aristocratic ladies known as the ‘two most celebrated virgins in Europe’ became Ireland's first known lesbian couple centuries before it was decriminalised.

“The Ladies of Llangollen - Eleanor Butler and Sarah Ponsonby, two upper-class women from Kilkenny - scandalised society and had to elope to Wales in 1778.

* Plas Newydd.

“Eleanor was the youngest daughter of the Earl of Ormonde of Kilkenny Castle. She was said to be clever, bookish and satirical but at 39, was viewed as a spinster.

“Her family considered putting her in a nunnery. Some 28 kms away, at the mansion of Woodstock House and gardens, Sarah Ponsonby, a 23-year-old orphan, was fending off the unwanted attentions of Sir William Fownes, her married middle-aged guardian.

"His wife, Betty, whose health was deteriorating, was loved by Sarah. However, William was over-eager in his hope to take Sarah as his second wife, leading her to flee with Eleanor.

“The pair met after Eleanor was asked by both families to mind Sarah, who was attending Miss Parke's School close to Kilkenny Castle in 1768.

“Both women felt trapped in an unbearable situation. Clandestine correspondence led to their decision to elope to Wales together.

“Dressed as men and travelling by horse, they rode overnight to Waterford. But luck was not on their side, as their boat did not sail, and the pair were forced to hide in a barn. They were caught and taken home. Sarah fell seriously ill with a fever, but Eleanor, faced with incarceration in a French convent, ran away again - to hide in Sarah's bedroom.

“When this was discovered, the Ormondes refused to collect their daughter and the Fownes family caved in. Sarah and Eleanor were free to go.

“Living first in a rented home in the village of Llangollen, they moved in 1780 to a small cottage that they called Plas Newydd or "new mansion". They developed their home in the Gothic style with Welsh oak panelling, pointed arches, stained glass windows, and an extensive library, in which they received guests.

“Their house became a haven for visitors travelling between Dublin and London. William Wordsworth wrote a sonnet about them. Other visitors included Lord Byron, Sir Walter Scott and the Duke of Wellington. Queen Sophie Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, persuaded King George III to grant them a pension.”

“Mealy auctioneers are holding an auction on July 10 and 11, and selling a vase detailing the two ladies. George Mealy said the piece was reflective of ‘the brave women’.

"Obviously the unusual curiosity piece is a great conversation starter. These two women paved the way and took a leap of faith in a time when it was taboo and became infamous at that time."

The auction catalogue, which has the vase at lot number 195, describes it as: “A porcelain Group of two Ladies wearing Hunting Attire, German (Bisque) “The Ladies of Llangollen,” together with a blue two handled Vase with coloured print transfer of the “Ladies of Llangollen,” unusual and rare. The guide price is €80 – 120.