Created to mark the 850th anniversary of the first Eisteddfod, held by Lord Rhys ap Gruffydd at Cardigan Castle in 1176, Carreg Filltir Las – Taith yr Arglwydd Rhys was a large-scale, week-long cultural journey across West Wales.

The project began with the awakening of a 15-foot puppet of Lord Rhys at St Davids Cathedral created by Small World Theatre. Accompanied by his giant puppet hound, Teifi, made by Skelton Crew, together they travelled through communities across the Carreg Las region, visiting places associated with former Eisteddfod Chair-winning poets. Each location created its own ceremony through poetry, music, performance and the exchange of specially commissioned banners and engraved blue boxes.

The journey culminated in a spectacular procession through Cardigan and a public celebration at Cardigan Castle. Bringing together artists, musicians, dancers, puppeteers, poets, craftspeople and local communities, the project fused medieval history with bold contemporary performance. Rather than recreating the past, it reawakened it—transforming the story of the first Eisteddfod into a living celebration of place, language, imagination and collective identity.

Carreg Filltir Las – Taith yr Arglwydd Rhys reached an estimated 4–5 million views and impressions across social media, alongside thousands of people who experienced the project live across West Wales.