Holyhead
is located on Holy Island, Anglesey, on the north west tip of Wales.
The town is best known as the ferry port that links England and Wales
to Ireland via the Irish ports of Dublin and Dun 
Laoghaire. But it's
position on the beautiful Holy Island with fine beaches at Trearddur
Bay and Porth Dafarch, an abundance of historic sites, and the dramatic
cliffs of North and South Stack make Holyhead more than just a stopping
off point while waiting for the Ferry to Ireland.
The town is built around the Church
of St Cybi, which itself
is built inside the walls of a Roman fort and naval base that was founded
in the late 3rd Century in an attempt to control pirates in the Irish
Sea. The remains of the Roman walls, with the corner towers still standing,
are some 13ft , 4m, in height and at the southern end of the site is
the nave of a 14th Century small detached chapel built over Cybi's grave.
The original church was founded in the 6th Century by the Cornish saint
Cybi and the church has suffered a violent history over the years, being
sacked by the Vikings in the 10th Century and by the English during
the Glyndwr Rebellion in
the 15th Century. Henry IV's army invaded Anglesey from Ireland
and sadly, when Henry's men returned to Dublin, they took with them
St. Cybi's shrine and relics. Another assault
on the church took place in the 17th Century when Cromwell's
soldiers systematically
destroyed the interior windows, font, tombs and statues.
The present
day church is perpendicular in style, reminding me of St
Beuno's Church in Clynnog Fawr, the chancel is 13th Century
with the rest being 15th to 16th Century. There are fine stained glass
windows, and carvings on the parapet and in the porch.
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But the history of Holyhead and Holy Island can be traced much further
back than the 6th Century Christian Saints and indeed further back again
than the Romans. There are a number of prehistoric sites on the Isle
of Anglesey and Holy Island has more than it's fair share.
The Ty Mawr Hut Circles, just a few miles from
Holyhead on the north side of Holy Island, date from the Neolithic
to the end of the Roman period. Close by are the Penrhos Feilw Standing
Stones, a pair of standing stones, almost 10ft, 3m, high, probably
dating from the Bronze age. And close to the small seaside resort of
Trearddur Bay is the Trefignath Burial Chamber, dating from the Neolithic
age.
On Newry Beach, in the old lifeboat station, you will find the Holyhead
Maritime Museum where
the more recent maritime history of the town is on display. The interesting
displays include the diver's suit worn by a local man, Norman Owen, who,
finding himself trapped underwater had to partially hack off two of his
fingers with his diving knife. He was still unable to free himself and
with his air supply fast running out he signalled to the surface to pull
him up. This action although saving his life also tore off the remainder
of his fingers !
Other objects of interest within the town include the Captain Skinner
Monument. The people of Holyhead raised the money to pay for this monument
by voluntary subscription, showing their high regard for the sea Captain
who had survived service in the American War of Independence. Having
spent over 30 years working as a Captain on the route between Holyhead
and Dublin he was drowndead in heavy seas close to the harbour
at North Stack.
Another monument is the Admiralty Arch that celebrates the end of the
A5 road that stretches from Marble Arch in London to Holyhead. The A5
was constructed in the early 19th Century by the engineering genius Thomas
Telford to carry the post by stagecoach between the capital of England
and Dublin the capital of Ireland. It looks as if they ran out of money
by the time they reached Holyhead however, as the Holyhead version is
a very poor copy of the beautiful Arch to be seen in the centre of London.
For nature lovers and bird watchers Holyhead can offer the South Stack
island and lighthouse. Just a few miles along the rugged coast
from Holyhead harbour the South Stack lighthouse has been protecting
passing ships since it's completion in 1809. Today the South Stack
is a major attraction for visitors to Holy Island with many coming to
see the thousands of birds including guillemots, razorbills and puffins,
that 
nest on the massive cliffs. There is an RSPB reserve at Ellin's
Tower with fine viewpoints of the Island.
But if you plan to visit the lighthouse island yourself be prepared
for the 400 stone steps that lead down to the suspension bridge that
crosses the deep channel to the island.
Nature and wildlife lovers will also appreciate the Breakwater
Country Park, over
100 acres of amazing beauty. Interesting birdlife commonly seen at the
park include the stonechat, chough and peregrine falcon with oystercatchers
and cormorants on the coast. You may also be fortunate to spot seals,
regular visitors to the Anglesey coastline.
The park was formed by
the extraction of over 7 million tonnes of rock from Holyhead Mountain
to form the massive
Holyhead breakwater. The breakwater is widely acknowledged to be one
of Britain's finest and was built to create a safe harbour for ships
in Holyhead and the Irish sea. Today the breakwater is worth a visit
in itself being popular with both walkers and anglers.
