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Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
This lovely old building in the centre of Dolgellau had fallen into disuse after variously being used as a town hall, assembly room, cinema, dancehall and grain store since being built in around 1870. It has been fully refurbished and re-opened as Ty Siamas in June 2007. The centre has an interactive exhibition on Welsh traditional music, as well as a shop and cafe. There is also an auditorium which hosts regular concerts - check websites or local advertising for details. It is named after Elis Siamas, from the nearby village of Llanfachreth. He lived in the late 17th and early 18th centuries and is credited with the development of the triple harp which is synonymous with Welsh harp music. It is said that he was court harpist for Queen Anne (reigned 1702-1714).
Tŷ Siamas is the "National Centre for Folk Music" in Wales, and is situated in Dolgellau. The initiative to create such a centre was led by Ywain Myfyr, and the project was managed by Mabon ap Gwynfor. The concept was "to establish a centre for music and cultural activities for the benefit of the community and visitors."
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12th-century ruined Cistercian abbey