The Cwn Annwn are a major part of my film, and so I need to do a lot of research into them to ensure I get everything right! Here is the research I have found:
The cwn annwn were the spectral hounds of Annwn. Annwn was the name of the underworld of welsh mythology. They were a branch of the wild hunt, which was presided over by Gwynn ap Nudd. Christians dubbed the creatures the 'hounds of hell', and theorised they were owned by satan, with the otherworld being hell. However, in welsh mythology, the otherworld was a paradise, not a hell or the home of dead souls.
The dogs were also associated with migrating geese, because their honking in the night sounds like barking dogs.
The cwn annwn are believed to hunt only on specific nights. More specifically, the eves of St. John, St.Martin, Saint Michael the archangel, All saints, Christmas, New Year, Sain Agnes, Saint David and Good Friday. Others believe that they hunt throughout Autumn and Winter,and others believe that they only hunt from christmas to twelfth night. I believe that it is far more likely that they ran through autumn and winter, however, because the other two beliefs feature christian holidays prominently, not all of which previously had a pagan holiday there. This suggests that these beliefs were introduced after pre-Christian Wales.
The hounds are sometimes accompanied by a fearsome hag called Mallt-y-Nos, Matilda of the night.
The hunting grounds for the dogs are said to be the mountain of Cadair Idris, where it is believed that the howling of the dogs foretold death to those who heard them. According to the folklore, their growling is loudest when they are at a distance. These dogs cannot be seen by ordinary humans, even though earthly dogs howl with fright upon seeing them.
Another source mentioned that the dogs ride through the skies in autumn, winter and early spring, which might be something to keep in consideration.
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