Holyhead (Anglesey Island Wales)

Holyhead is the largest port town on Holy Island (part of Isle of Anglesey), Wales. The port is on Irish Sea and is of great importance serving the passenger (ferry and cruise) and cargo traffic between Wales and Ireland.

The town has population around 12,000. Holyhead was originally connected to Anglesey Island through the "Four Mile Bridge" on turnpike Road. In the middle of the 19th century was constructed a larger causeway (locally known as "The Cobb") which today carries the A5 Road (London Holyhead Trunk Road) and the railway line.

Port Holyhead (locode GBHLY) is a very busy ferry port. STENA LINE (Northern Europe's biggest ferry company) operates regularly scheduled crossings from Holyhead. Another major company with operations from Holyhead is IRISH FERRIES. Ferry ships connect to Dublin Ireland forming the main transportation link from Wales (also central and northern England) to Ireland.

The maritime importance of Holyhead port was at its height during the 19th century. Then the UK's longest breakwater (Holyhead Breakwater, length 3 km / 1,7 mi) was built. It provided a safe harbour waterway for ships caught in stormy waters on their way to Liverpool and Lancashire's industrial ports. The town's sea heritage is remembered in the local maritime museum.

In 2017, the port had scheduled a record number of visiting cruise ships - 44 vessels, with 20,000+ passengers, and potential tourism impact of GBP 2+ million. Over 2016, the increase was 47% (in ship numbers) and 60% (in passenger numbers). Also in 2017, Isle of Anglesey was visited by its ever largest vessel - Celebrity Silhouette.

In February 2018, the ferry company STENA LINE invested GBP 4+ million in Holyhead for port upgrades and infrastructure improvements. The investment followed company's report for a record year (FY2017) for its freight shipping volumes. Among the port upgrades were building an additional freight storage area and extensive refurbishment of Terminal 3's ramp. Terminal's new lower deck was pre-fabricated by McGregor Construction Ltd and barged from Fort William to Holyhead.

In November 2022, STENA LINE and Anglesey County Council announced their intention to submit a freeport bid. Freeport Anglesey removes Brexit's trade barriers and simplifies business operations, would attract an estimated GBP 1 billion of investments, including new high-paid local jobs. The bid was backed by 17 major companies, including the UK's Rolls Royce Holdings and the USA's Bechtel Corporation (engineering, construction, project management) and Last Energy Inc (2020-founded developer of nuclear power plants). Along with Holyhead Port's investments, the ferry company also invested in a 213-acres/86-hectares/0,9 km2 site.

Isle of Anglesey

Anglesey Island is located off the northwestern coast of Wales. It covers a total area of 715 km2 (276 mi2), ranking it Wales' largest, British Isles' 7th largest and Europe's 51st largest. It is also the largest in Irish Sea (by land area) and 2nd by population (after Isle of Man). The island's total population is around 70,000.

• Anglesey Island is connected to mainland Wales via 2 bridges over Menai Strait - Menai Suspension Bridge (built 1826, length 417 m / 1368 ft) and Britannia Bridge (built 1850 length 461 m / 1512 ft).
• The island's highest elevation is Holyhead Mountain (220 m / 720 ft). At its narrowest point, Menai Strait is approx 250 m (820 ft).
• The island's entire coastline is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It features many sandy beaches, the most popular of which are located along its eastern and western coasts.
• The list of most visited by tourist towns, villages and sites includes Holyhead, Llangefni, Benllech, Amlwch, Beaumaris, Menai Bridge, Newborough, Porthaethwy, Bryn Celli Ddu (Stone Age mound), Anglesey Sea Zoo, Plas Newydd, Trwyn Du Lighthouse, Bodedern, Cemaes, Dwyran, Gaerwen, Malltraeth, Pentraeth, Rhosneigr.
• Beaumaris (on the eastern coast) features a Castle built by King Edward I of England (1239-1307) and is also popular as a yachting center.
• Llangefni is the island's administrative center.
• Menai Bridge town (on southeastern coast) was expanded during the same-named bridge's construction works. in order to accommodate all the workers and equipment.
• Porthaethwy is among the isle's ferry crossing points from mainland Wales. A short distance from Porthaethwy is located the Stone Age burial mound named Bryn Celli Ddu.
• Amlwch (on the northeastern coast) is a former largely industrialized town that grew during the 18th century due to the copper mining operations at Parys Mountain.
• Anglesey Sea Zoo (near Dwyran) is about the local marine wildlife. All its displayed the fish and crustaceans were caught around the isle.
• Anglesey's most popular beaches are located along its eastern coast (between Beaumaris and Amlwch) and on the western coast (between Ynys Llanddwyn and Carmel Head's bays). The northern coastline features mesmerizing cliffs and small bays. The island's entire coastline is paralleled by the Anglesey Coastal Path (length 200 km / 124 mi).
• Current-day Anglesey's economy is largely based on tourism, with agriculture being the second major source of income. Local dairies are also very productive. All major industries on the island are in or around Holyhead.
• Wylfa Nuclear Power Station produces electricity since 1971. The isle has 3 windfarms and more than 20 offshore-based wind turbines near its northern coast. Off its north coast is planned the construction of the world's first Tidal Flow turbines. A large biomass plant is planned for construction on the Holy Island, as part of the project "Anglesey Energy Island".
• Elin's Tower (reserve and lighthouse) is near Holyhead.
• Anglesey Circuit is a motor racing circuit (in Ty Croes) hosting various motorsport events.
• Ynys Llanddwyn (aka Lovers' Island) is located off Anglesey's west coast, with Newborough being the nearest town. The isle has over 16 km (10 mi) walking paths and beautiful beaches, making it a popular vacation travel destination.

Holyhead cruise terminal