1974 in Wales
See also 1973 in Wales, other events of 1974, 1975 in Wales and the list of years in Wales.
Incumbents
- Prince of Wales - Charles, Prince of Wales
- Princess of Wales - vacant
- Secretary of State for Wales - John Morris
- Archbishop of Wales - Gwilym Owen Williams
Events
- January 23 - A UFO appears to crash in a remote area of North Wales. This becomes known as the Berwyn Mountain Incident.
- Following the February general election, Elwyn Jones becomes Lord Chancellor in Harold Wilson’s government.
- Geraint Howells wins Ceredigion for the Liberals.
- Gwynfor Evans fails to retain Carmarthen for Plaid Cymru in the February election by only 3 votes, but succeeds in the October general election.
- Helen Morgan becomes Miss World, but is forced to resign after four days when it is discovered that she is an unmarried mother.
Arts and literature
- Kyffin Williams is elected to the Royal Academy.
- Andrew Vicari is appointed official painter to the Saudi royal family.
- The Cory Brass Band is the first Welsh band to win the British National Championship.
- The BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra achieves full symphony status.
- Foundation of the Welsh Jazz Society.
- Journalist Hugh Kinsman Cudlipp is created Baron Cudlipp of Aldingbourne.
Awards
- National Eisteddfod of Wales (held in Carmarthen)
- National Eisteddfod of Wales: Chair - Moses Glyn Jones
- National Eisteddfod of Wales: Crown - William George
- National Eisteddfod of Wales: Prose Medal - Dafydd Ifans
New books
- Tony Conran - Spirit Level
- Islwyn Ffowc Elis - Marwydos
- Gwynfor Evans - Land of my Fathers
- David Jenkins - T. Gwynn Jones: Cofiant
- Bobi Jones - Tafod y Llenor
- Jan Morris - Conundrum
- Leslie Norris - Mountains, Polecats, Pheasants
- John Ormond - Definition of a Waterfall
- Goronwy Rees - Brief Encounters
- Alun Richards - Dai Country
- Harri Webb - A Crown for Branwen
Music
- Andy Fairweather-Low - Spider Jiving (album)
- Alun Hoddinott - The Beach of Falesá (opera)
Film
- Richard Burton stars in The Klansman.
Welsh language films
- None
Broadcasting
- Independent radio station Swansea Sound comes into operation.
Welsh language television
- October 8 - Pobol y Cwm appears for the first time.
English language television
- Richard Burton is banned from BBC productions after complaints about his derogatory comments about Winston Churchill and others in power during World War II.
Sports
- Curling - The Welsh Curling Association is formed.
- Golf - Brian Huggett wins the Portuguese Open.
- Snooker - Ray Reardon is World Professional Champion for the third time.
Births
- January 5 - Iwan Thomas, athlete
- January 30 - Christian Bale, actor
- May 3 - Kelly Jones, musician
- May 29 - Jenny Willott, politician
- September 5 - Becky Morgan, golfer
- October 24 - David Evans, squash player
- November 4 – Matthew Rhys, actor
- date unknown - Owen Sheers, poet and actor
Deaths
- September 9 - Neil McBride, MP for Swansea East
- December 29 - William Charles Fuller, Victoria Cross recipient
- date unknown - Harold Arthur Harris, academic
- date unknown - David Jones, poet and artist
- date unknown - Rev. D. Jacob Davies, author
- date unknown - Alwyn Rees, political campaigner