AFTER more than a year in the making, a nine foot sculpture of Wales’ original Eisteddfod chair has taken its place at Cardigan Castle, the site of the first Eisteddfod in 1176.

Central to the ‘Chairing of the Bard’ tradition, which to this day remains a feature of the modern Eisteddfod, the chair has been manoeuvred into position above the East Tower, where it will provide visitors with a unique picture opportunity.

The hand-carved structure – made from local oak, slate and bronze – was sculpted by Cardigan-based woodcarving artist Paul Clarke and marks one of the final pieces of the £12 million Cardigan Castle restoration project.

Visitors will be able to see the chair for the first time when the castle opens its doors to the public on April 15.

Historian Glen Johnson, who has spent 30 years studying the site’s unique heritage, welcomed the return of this Eisteddfod Chair to the festival’s birthplace. He said: “The chair is the ultimate symbol of Wales’ beloved Eisteddfod tradition, and I can think of no better place for this sculpture to reside than at Cardigan Castle.

“It was here that the original Eisteddfod was held in 1176, when poets and musicians from across the country gathered to compete for a place on the original seat, which was stationed at Lord Rhys’ table.

“A huge amount of work and expert craftsmanship went into the finished piece, and it shows. The historical details, from the Dinefwr lion to the Medieval court dog that rests beneath it, are magnificent. Lord Rhys would be proud!”