Location Irish Sea Length 12.3 km (7.64 mi) Highest elevation 220 m (720 ft) Area 39.42 km² Island group British Isles | Archipelago British Isles Width 5.6 km (3.48 mi) Highest point Holyhead Mountain Elevation 220 m | |
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Points of interest South Stack Lighthouse, RSPB South Stack, Breakwater Country Park, Ucheldre Centre, Holyhead Maritime Museum | ||
Holy Island (Welsh: Ynys Gybi, 'the island of (Saint) Cybi') is an island (15.22 sq mi (39.4 km2)) on the western side of the larger Isle of Anglesey, North Wales, from which it is separated by a narrow, winding channel. It is called "Holy" because of the high concentration of standing stones, burial chambers and other religious sites on the small island. The alternative and historic name of the island is Holyhead Island. According to the 2011 UK Census, the population was 13,659, of which 11,431 (84%) lived in the largest town, Holyhead.
Contents
Map of Holy Island, Holyhead, UK
History
Irish pirates invaded Anglesey following the end of Roman rule in Britannia. Cunedda first began warfare against the Irish but ultimately Cadwallon Lawhir defeated the Irish on Holy Island.
Natural features
There are a variety of natural habitats on Anglesey including mudflats, dunes, marshes, and beaches. Practically nothing is left of the oak forest that covered almost all of the island before the arrival of Neolithic farmers. The western side of the island is taken up mainly by Holyhead Mountain, an area of maritime heather moor, which is the highest peak in the county at 722 feet (220m). The coastal zone between the island and the mainland of Anglesey is a large site of special scientific interest – Beddmanarch–Cymyran.
Transport
Holy Island is connected to Anglesey by two road links. The first, the Stanley Embankment, is made up of causeways carrying the A5/A55 and the main railway line to Chester and London, and the original bridge of the A5 post road. The second is Four Mile Bridge which carries a 'B' road and is much smaller.
The main settlement is the port of Holyhead, from which passenger ferries travel to Dún Laoghaire and Dublin, Ireland, and freight ferries also travel to Dublin. Holyhead railway station is located in the town. Other settlements include the villages of Trearddur Bay, Rhoscolyn and Four Mile Bridge.
Around 30 miles (48 km) of the 125-mile (201 km) Anglesey Coastal Path is on Holy Island.
Shipwrecks
Peripheral islands and stacks include North Stack, and South Stack, with its famous lighthouse. Before – and even after – the construction of lighthouses, the cliffs and jagged rocks of the island were a great danger to sailors.