Holyhead on the Island of Anglesey, North Wales

Holyhead (Caergybi - Cybi's Fort) on the Island of Anglesey, North Wales.

A view of Holyhead from Holyhead Mountain c1890

Holyhead, on the Island of Anglesey in North Wales is the largest of the county's towns, with a population of circa 13,000. Holyhead is primarily a ferry port, and has been for hundreds of years. Sailings to Dublin and Dun Laoghaire are frequent, and on the fast ferry ship takes just 99 minutes.

Holyhead grew to the size that it is primarily based around the need for a reliable Royal Mail service from London to Ireland, and to facilitate that mail service the A5 and the Menai Suspension Bridge were built by Thomas Telford, and also the Conwy Suspension Bridge. These measures ensured a speedy journey to Holyhead, both by rail and by road.

Since the late 1960's, following the building of an aluminium smelter by Rio Tinto Zinc and the Kaiser Corporation at Anglesey Aluminium, and a nuclear power station at Wylfa, the prosperity of Holyhead and Anglesey was ensured, at least for a number of years. In 2008, with the prospect of the closure of Wylfa Power Station in 2010, and the expected knock on effect this may have for Anglesey Aluminium, the future looks less certain. These two employers are probably the last on Anglesey to be able to offer non professional workers excellent wages.

The shopping centres of Holyhead - such as they are - are now mostly on the periphery of the town, but efforts to re-vitalise the town centre seem to be ongoing.

You will not find a more in depth history of Holyhead on the internet than on these Holyhead pages.

If you are interested in old photographs of the United Kingdom generally you may like to visit my website at Old UK Photos - it is the largest of its' kind in the UK.

Boston Street Holyhead	Anglesey, Holyhead Freightliner Terminal and St Seiriols' Church	Anglesey, Holyhead Market 1908
Anglesey, Holyhead, Market Street 1930's - showing a busy town scene	Anglesey, Holyhead, Crew of the SS Hibernia, which sailed to Ireland in the early 20th century	Anglesey, Holyhead, Penrhos Bay - before Morawelon was built
Anglesey, Holyhead, St Seiriol's Church - sadly now demolished	Anglesey, Holyhead, Soldiers Point 1910's	Anglesey, Holyhead, Admiralty Pier - showing Customs House

The original Station Clock

The relocated Station Clock

The port is just a short walk from the town centre and bed and breakfast establishments. Of particular interest is the church, built on land which at one time housed a roman garrison. Nearby is the well known South Stack Lighthouse, beautiful to see, and the cliffs there are a haven for many species of birds.

Holyhead, St Cybi's Church	Holyhead's First School - in the grounds of St Cybi's Church	Holyhead, Roman Wall around St Cybi's Church
An old Holyhead street that you once would have seen through the same arch as above coming out of St Cybi's

The area around Holyhead is dotted with many sites of historical interest, like ancient burial mounds etc. Many of the town's oldest buildings have been given a facelift, but there is much to be done to restore it to the former glory.

Holyhead Sailing Club - Newry Beach

Soldier's Point in Holyhead

The Empire Cinema - Holyhead. Sadly in 2008 the cinema showed its' last film

The George Hotel, Holyhead

The Ucheldre Centre is not only a permanent art gallery, but it is also much more. Lots of exhibitions, plays, and lectures take place in this wonderful old building which was previously part of the old Convent (now demolished). The original convent church adjoins the Centre. Well worth a visit.

The Ucheldre Centre and one time Convent Church

Holyhead Page 2

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