Sinead’s inspiring journey to the Gorsedd of Bards

Nursing student Sinead Harris will be among the latest members of the Gorsedd of Bards – an esteemed group of individuals who have made a contribution to Welsh culture – at the National Eisteddfod in Rhondda Cynon Taf this summer.

Sinead, 33, from Abercynon, alongside her friend Geraint Ashton, will join the Gorsedd at a special ceremony on Monday 5 August, at the home of this year’s Eisteddfod in Ynysangharad Park, Pontypridd.

The Gorsedd includes poets, writers, musicians, artists and individuals who are passionate about promoting the Welsh language and its culture. Famous members – known as druids – include Hollywood stars Ioan Gruffudd and Matthew Rhys, singers Bryn Terfel and Caryl Parry-Jones, athletes Tanni Grey-Thompson and Aled Siôn Davies, presenters Alex Jones and Huw Stephens, and Welsh rugby legends George North and Jamie Roberts, among many others.

The Gorsedd includes poets, writers, musicians, artists and individuals who are passionate about promoting the Welsh language and its culture. Famous members – known as druids – include Hollywood stars Ioan Gruffudd and Matthew Rhys, singers Bryn Terfel and Caryl Parry-Jones, athletes Tanni Grey-Thompson and Aled Siôn Davies, presenters Alex Jones and Huw Stephens, and Welsh rugby legends George North and Jamie Roberts, among many others.

Sinead, who is in her second year of Children’s Nursing at USW, studied her first university degree – Drama and Theatre – through the medium of Welsh at Aberystwyth. It was during her time there that she embraced the Welsh-language activities on offer, and developed a love for promoting the language.

After graduating, she worked abroad for a number of years, before returning to Wales and working for Urdd Gobaith Cymru – a voluntary youth organisation which provides opportunities for children and young people aged 8 to 25 to take part in a range of experiences through the medium of Welsh.

But it was in the summer of 2020 that Sinead’s life took an unexpected turn. After suffering from severe migraines and exhaustion, she was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, and was admitted to hospital for five days.

“While I was in hospital I realised just how remarkable the NHS is,” said Sinead, who attended Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun in Aberdare.

“This was at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, when they were under extreme pressure, and I still had the most amazing care. I tell people that I went through a mid-life crisis, even though I was just about to turn 30! I was on furlough from my job, trying to decide what to do with my life – it was at that point that I decided I wanted to become a nurse.”

Sinead began her degree at USW in September 2021, but with her health becoming progressively worse, she was told she would need a kidney transplant to give her the best possible quality of life.

That’s where her uncle Gareth stepped in – generously donating his kidney – and Sinead was able to undergo a transplant in January 2023, during a year out from her studies.

“I instantly felt so much better,” she said. “It made me realise just how ill I had become, because I had gotten used to feeling so tired, with no energy – then suddenly I felt I could take on the world. Being able to go out on placement and do all the things my fellow students could, was a huge relief.”

Sinead and Geraint decided to apply to the Gorsedd back in 2019, after hearing about the opportunity to become a member due to studying a degree in a relevant discipline through the medium of Welsh.

After Covid-19 caused the 2020 Eisteddfod to be postponed, RCT was announced as the host location for this year, and so they were able to defer their application and be part of the festival on their doorstep.

Sinead is now preparing for the special induction ceremony, where she will wear green robes and be presented with her chosen druid name – Sioned Bryn Cynon.

“I chose Sioned because it is the Welsh version of my name, Bryn after my great-grandfather, and Cynon as I’m from the Cynon Valley,” she said.

“My family are all so proud, and will be coming along to watch my inauguration ceremony.

“I’m forever grateful that my mam sent my sister and I to Welsh medium school, because of all the opportunities it has given me.

"I’m so excited to be part of the Eisteddfod in this way, as it’s such a fantastic occasion – and one I’ll remember forever."

There are just 50 days to go until Eisteddfod Rhondda Cynon Taf, which will be held in Pontypridd from 3 – 10 August. USW will have a significant presence on the Maes, and is proud to be working closely with Rhondda Cynon Taf Council to provide accommodation at its Treforest Campus.

To find out more, visit https://www.southwales.ac.uk/business-services/conferencing-facilities/accommodation-group-residential-bookings/eisteddfod-2024/