1885 in Wales

This article is about the particular significance of the year 1885 to Wales and its people.

Incumbents

October – Keswick House, predecessor of Aberdare Hall, in Cardiff opens, allowing women to study for degrees through the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire.
24 November – The United Kingdom general election is the first in which the Liberal Party has a candidate in every Welsh constituency. The Liberals win 30 of the 34 available seats.
23 December – 81 miners are killed in an accident at the Maerdy Colliery, Rhondda.
The world's first passenger-carrying ropeway comes into use over the River Aeron at Aberaeron.
Opening of steelworks at Brymbo.
By order of the Admiralty, only Welsh coal is to be used on ships of the Royal Navy.
Three people are killed when fire breaks out at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.
Frances Hoggan is the first woman doctor registered in Wales.
Opening of the first local authority secondary school in Cardiff.
Under the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885, the constituencies of Denbighshire, Glamorganshire, North and South Monmouthshire are among those disestablished.

5 August – Queen Victoria's harpist John Thomas (Pencerdd Gwalia) marries a former student, Joan Francis Denny.

Football – Druids win the Welsh Cup for the fourth time in its eight-year history.
Golf – Course at Borth opens.
Rugby union
*Cross Keys RFC, London Welsh RFC, Neyland RFC and Risca RFC are founded.
*Arthur Gould plays his first international match for Wales.