Ar Log was formed in August 1976 specifically to represent Wales at a Celtic Festival in Lorient, Brittany. Following the festival, on the advice of The Dubliners, the band decided to continue to perform and earn their living through touring. The band succeeded in touring full time for seven years, spending nine months of each year abroad.

Since it was formed in 1976 Ar Log’s sets have followed the long folk tradition in Wales of performing songs in the Welsh language as well as reviving the more ancient tradition of performing instrumental pieces. The group feature the Welsh triple harp and the name Ar Log means ‘on hire’.

By 1982, Ar Log had become particularly associated with Dafydd Iwan, a long-standing figure in the Welsh national movement. In 1983, Ar Log embarked on its second tour with Dafydd Iwan and recorded their second album together. The new anthem for that tour was Yma o Hyd which has recently enjoyed a huge revival and has become an unofficial anthem for Wales’ National Football Team.

The band has performed in twenty one countries across the UK, Europe and North and South America promoting Welsh traditional music and songs. During their tours Ar Log shared the stage with some of the biggest names in the folk world, including Don McLean, Alan Stivell, The Dubliners and Mary Black.

Between 1978 and 2023 Ar Log released twelve albums and two singles and this year (2026) they will celebrate their 50th anniversary by touring in Wales and Germany and releasing a new album - Ar Log VIII.