Menna Elfyn

Last updated: 16 October 2009

Award-winning author Menna Elfyn is arguably Wales' best-known modern Welsh language poet. She has written over 20 books of poetry, prose and educational works. (Photograph of Menna Elfyn © Madeleine Waller)

Born in 1952, she lives in Llandysul, Ceredigion when not travelling internationally for readings and other literary work. Known primarily for her poetic output, Elfyn has also scribed radio and stage plays, scripts for television, educational text books and libretti.

Her work has been translated into English among many other languages. Translators of her work include Gillian Clarke, Tony Conran, Robert Minhinnick and the late RS Thomas.

Her first bilingual book of poetry, Eucalyptus: Detholiad O Gerddi/Selected Poems 1978-1994, was published in 1995. She has written books and poetry collections for children which include Rana Rebel (2002) and Caneri Pinc ar Dywod Euraid (2003).

In 2002 she was appointed to the year-long post as the Children's Laureate for Wales and in 2003 was shortlisted for the Evelyn Encelot European Prize for Women Poets.

In the autumn of 2009 Elfyn was involved in the Celtic Myths project for the BBC Wales History website and wrote the story Guinevere's Wedding.

She is the Writing Director of the MA Creative Writing Programme at Trinity College, Carmarthen and is the mother of successful writer and musician Fflur Dafydd.