Bible Society Launches Audio Gospels in Rare Welsh Dialect of Pembrokeshire
The Bible Society released an audio recording of the four Gospels in the Welsh dialect of north Pembrokeshire on August 6, 2026, at the National Eisteddfod. The project honors the late Rev. Lyn Lewis Dafis, who completed the translation around 2000. The recordings are now free on the ap Beibl app and YouVersion.
The Bible Society launched an audio version of the four Gospels in the Welsh dialect of north Pembrokeshire on August 6, 2026, at the National Eisteddfod, one of Europe's largest cultural festivals.
The translation was completed around 2000 by the late Rev. Lyn Lewis Dafis, a priest in the Church in Wales and Welsh Language Officer for the Diocese of St David's. He used the Beibl Cymraeg Newydd as his source text. The work remained unpublished during his lifetime. After his death in 2022, his family allowed it to be posted online as Y Beder Ifengyl yn iaith Sir Benfro, meaning The Four Gospels in Pembrokeshire Welsh.
In 2026, the Bible Society commissioned an audio recording of the text. The project was facilitated by the Union of Welsh Independents in partnership with Talking Books Wales. Volunteers from across the Pembrokeshire region provided the voices.
The launch event at the National Eisteddfod included a tribute to Rev. Dafis. The recordings are now available for free through the ap Beibl app and the YouVersion platform. The project was also featured on the BBC Cymru television program Dechrau canu dechrau canmol earlier in the year.
The Pembrokeshire Welsh dialect is distinct from standard Welsh and is spoken in a small area of southwest Wales. Preserving scripture in minority dialects has long been a priority for Bible translation organizations seeking to make the text accessible to all communities in their own language.
The Bible Society said the project reflects its commitment to making the Bible available in every language and dialect, no matter how small the speaking community.
