1879 in Wales

1879 in Wales
Other years
1876 \| 1877 \| 1878 << All >> 1880 \| 1881 \| 1882
1879 in: The United Kingdom • Ireland
Other events of 1879

This article is about the particular significance of the year 1879 to Wales and its people.

Incumbents

13 January — In a mining accident at Dinas Colliery, Ruabon, 63 men are killed.
22–23 January — The defence of Rorke's Drift by 139 British soldiers from the South Wales Borderers results in the award of 11 VCs, the recipients including Private John Williams and Private Robert Jones.
1 September — The ballroom of the Lord Nelson Hotel in Milford Haven becomes the first in the UK to be lit by electricity.
22 September — In a mining accident at Waunllwyd, Ebbw Vale, 84 men are killed.
3 October — Pryce Pryce-Jones opens his Royal Welsh Warehouse at Newtown, Montgomeryshire.
17 October — Official opening of the Severn Railway Bridge (destroyed in 1960).

Football
- 18 January - Wales play England for the first time, at Kennington Oval. Wales lose 2-1, but see their first international goal, scored by William Davies.
- Newtown win the Welsh Cup in the second year of its existence.
Rugby union
- 18 January - Treherbert RFC play Cardiff for the first time.
- Brecon RFC and Ebbw Vale RFC are founded.
Tennis - The first tennis club in Wales is formed by the Newport Athletic Club.

1 January
- Ernest Jones, psychiatrist (died 1958)
- Willie Llewellyn, Wales international rugby union (died 1973)
15 March — David John Thomas, Wales international rugby union (died 1925)
23 June — Percy Bush, Wales international rugby union player (died 1955)
8 August — Arthur Harding, Wales international rugby union captain (died 1947)
29 August — Donough O'Brien, cricketer (died 1953)
4 September — Eliot Crawshay-Williams, politician and writer (died 1962)
2 October — Idris Bell, papyrologist (died 1967)
6 November — George Daggar MP, politician (died 1950)
27 November — Dick Jones, Welsh international rugby player (died 1958)

20 February — John Orlando Parry, actor, pianist, artist, comedian and singer, 69
10 May — Robert Thompson Crawshay, ironmaster, 62
13 August — Edward Edwards, zoologist
23 September — Francis Kilvert, diarist (born 1840)
11 December — William Thomas (Gwilym Marles), minister and writer, uncle of Dylan Thomas (born 1834)