The union of Britain with Ireland in 1800 increased the need to improve the road route from London to Dublin and, by this time, Holyhead had emerged as the primary port for sea access, mainly due to the fact that it is the closest point on the British coast to Ireland.
The town's centre is built around St. Cybi's church, which is built inside one of Europe's only three-walled Roman forts (the fourth wall being the sea, which used to come up to the fort). The Romans also built a lighthouse on the top of Holyhead Mountain inside Mynydd y Twr, a prehistoric fortress. Settlements in the area date from prehistoric times, with circular huts, burial chambers and standing stones featuring in the highest concentration in Britain.
Holy Island (Ynys Gybi) is blessed with Anglesey's best scenery.
Transportation in Holyhead
By Car: The A55 expressway to Anglesey cuts journey times across the island by up to 30 minutes. The A55 ends approximately 100 metres from the port, which is well signposted from then onwards.
By Train: Holyhead station is on the main line and can be reached from all over the UK. Trains take about 4 hours from London and 2 hours from Manchester.
Leave the train at Holyhead Station and follow directions along the platform into the main Port terminal. Taxi and Bus services also operate to and from Terminal 1.
By Coach: There are regular bus services to Anglesey and Holyhead from all over the UK.
There is also a frequent National Express service to Holyhead ferry terminal.
By Ferry:
Holyhead is situated in Anglesey in North Wales and is served by the A55 and A5 road networks. It is convenient for travel to or from the North of England, North Wales or the Midlands. Holyhead is of course the only port with direct travel by sea to and from Dublin City. There are excellent road links to and from London and the South East. Holyhead has an excellent rail service providing connections to rail stations throughout Britain. Holyhead to Dublin ferry services are operated by Stena Line, and Irish Ferries.
There are good views over the port from the grounds of St Cybi's Church, from where there is also a good view of Skinner's Monument, on Alltran Rock. This obelisk was erected by the people of Holyhead, in memory of Captain John McGregor Skinner, a benefactor to the town's poor, who was washed overboard from his ship in 1832.
The award-winning Ucheldre Arts Centre is housed in an impressive old chapel, originally the convent chapel for the Roman Catholic order of nuns, the Sisters of the Bon Sauver. The centre spearheads cultural life with art exhibitions, craft displays and a lively programme of arts and theatre workshops and performances. There is also a book and gift shop and a restaurant selling good food in convivial surroundings.
