Penygroes is located in the former
slate quarrying area of
Dyffryn Nantlle, although most of the quarries are now closed down. However, it remains the valley's main shopping and administrative centre. Its biggest employer was a paper-converting plant producing hand tissues and toilet rolls. It lies in the
community of
Llanllyfni, and nearby villages are Llanllyfni,
Carmel, Talysarn, Nantlle, Tanrallt, Nebo, and
Groeslon. It is the site of
Nantlle Vale F.C., which used to be managed by the professional wrestler and promoter
Orig Williams, better known by his ring name of "El Bandito". The club's former social complex has in recent years been demolished, and a new police station now occupies the site. The
cycle path Lôn Eifion passes near the village, following the route of the former
Carnarvonshire Railway, which ran from
Caernarfon to
Afon Wen and closed in 1964. Penygroes lies by the edge of Lord Newborough's former estate at Glynllifon, from which several
medieval legends have emanated. The character Lleu Llaw Gyffes, who features in the ages-old legends of the
Mabinogi (sometimes inaccurately referred to as the Mabinogion), was said to have lived in the area. The
Iron Age hillfort at Dinas Dinlleu and the village of Nantlle—originally spelt as Nantlleu—are said to have been named after him. == Education ==