Gareth Evans-Jones from Traeth Bychan has won the Prose Medal at the 2026 National Eisteddfod in Pembrokeshire.

Judges said this year's competition, based on the theme of Mur / Muriau (Wall / Walls) had attracted 28 entries of "exceptionally high standard".

Originally from Traeth Bychan near Marian-glas on Anglesey, Gareth received his primary education at Ysgol Llanbedrgoch and Ysgol Goronwy Owen in Benllech, and his secondary education at Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones School in Amlwch.

He then attended Bangor University, studying for a BA in Welsh and Religious Studies, a master's degree in creative writing, and a doctorate that was published as a book by the University of Wales Press in 2022, 'Mae'r Beibl o'n tu': Ymatebion crefyddol y Cymry yn America i gaethwasiaeth (1838-1868). An English adaptation will be published in the coming months.

He is currently a lecturer in Philosophy and Religion at Bangor University and co-director of the National Centre for Religious Education for Wales.

He continues to write, having published two novels for adults, Eira Llwyd and Y Cylch; a collection of micro-literature and photographs, Cylchu Cymru: Llun a Llên wrth Gerdded (which won the Creative Non-Fiction Book of the Year Award 2023); and a children's short story collection, Llanddafad (which won the Readers' Choice Award at the Tir na nOg Awards 2025).

He has also edited and co-edited academic and creative volumes, including Curiadau: Blodeugerdd LHDTC+ and Ar Amrantiad.

Gareth Evans-Jones has previously won the National Eisteddfod Drama Medal twice, in 2019 and 2021. Several of his scripts have since been produced, including Adar Papur (a digital production on YouTube), Ynys Alys (Fran Wen), and Dilyn Sgwarnog (this year's Urdd Eisteddfod Anglesey Primary Show).

He is also a poet and had the honour of composing the welcome poem for the 2026 Urdd National Eisteddfod, held at Mona.

Speaking from the stage, Meleri Wyn James said: "When Angharad, Iwan and I accepted the invitation to judge, I don't think any of us anticipated how many entries would be before us."

"Indeed, this year a very healthy number of submissions was received, 28 in total. All three of us found ourselves asking the same question: I wonder, is this a record for this competition?"

"As judges, we certainly felt it was a source of pride. And after browsing, reading and considering the entries over several months, we were all in agreement: if the Garreg Las Eisteddfod Prose Medal competition is anything to go by, then the future of Welsh prose is very bright indeed."

"They all deserve praise, and a great many deserve to be published. Among them are the works submitted under the pseudonyms Alba, Jo Bach, Morlo, Panad, Siriol and Y Mynyddwr, and a considerable number of other entries also have the potential to see the light of day with some adaptation and editing."

"After much discussion, we decided that four entries deserved to reach the first class. Those, in alphabetical order, are Cadno, Isha, O Bach and Pibydd. It was an honour to assess works of such a high standard, but it was also a challenge."

"The three of us were unanimous that we would have been very happy to award any one of the authors in the first class, as well as several others, had it come to that."

"Warm congratulations to the four authors. It is a comfort to us as judges that we can eagerly look forward to seeing each of your works published, so that everyone can marvel at your talent."

"Four outstanding books, each so different from the others...but there is only one medal... so what were we to do? Yes, we read and reread, reflected, debated enthusiastically, and debated again as we tried to reach a decision."

"For its broad canvas, its playfulness, and its inventiveness, the National Eisteddfod of Garreg Las Prose Medal goes to Isha. Very warm congratulations to them."

The winning entry will be available to buy after the ceremony in bookshops on the Eisteddfod Maes and across Wales.

The full adjudication for this competition, together with details of all Eisteddfod composition competition winners, will appear in Cyfansoddiadau a Beirniadaethau, which will go on sale following the Chairing Ceremony on Friday afternoon.

The Medal was presented by Hazel, Geralyn and Eirlys Non in memory of their parents, Gwynfi and Megan Williams of Blaenmorw, Capel Newydd.

It was donated in recognition of the loving upbringing they provided and in gratitude for immersing their children in the 'Pethe'. The £750 cash prize was donated by John and Bethan Cwmbetws. The ceremony and competition were supported by the James Pantyfedwen Trust.