Friday 27 December 2013

Holy Island / Ynys Gybi

Holy Island (Ynys Gybi) is found on the west side of Anglesey. The island is quite charming. As I am re-discovering. Or maybe discovering for the first time. When I last lived here, it would seem that I barely knew it at all. Or even cared to know it. Youth wasted on the young, and all that.

Separated from the main island by a narrow channel of water, Holy Island is connected to Anglesey in two ways.

The first is a causeway which carries the main road links to and from the island (A5/A55) as well as the railway line. Designed by Thomas Telford, this was named the Stanley Embankment after the Stanley family who were major benefactors to the region (note also Penrhos Stanley local hospital, Stanley Street in Holyhead, the Stanley Arms pub). Locally, the embankment is more likely to be referred to as Valley Cob (or is that Cobb?). The reasons for this are unknown to me. Maybe it’s due the building materials?? I know not. But will endeavour to find out. At some point.

You should know that the Cob has always spooked me. Driving along between Valley and Holyhead, the wall separating the A5 from the railway line seems to draw your car towards it. I always felt there was something weird and wonderful about this phenomenon. Although I rather think now that there is a more rational explanation. Still, what’s more interesting is that the wall was apparently built so that the trains didn’t spook the horses on the road at the time. Who would have thought? Certainly not me. Spooked as I was...

The second link is a smaller road called Four Mile Bridge. Incidentally, also the name of the village it serves. A small, quaint village. One of many, indeed, around here.

The main town on Holy Island is Holyhead, a port known primarily for its passenger and freight ferries to Ireland (Dublin and Dun Laoghaire). But Holyhead is far more than just a port. It is home to many attractions, including the Holyhead Breakwater, Breakwater Country Park, Holyhead Mountain,  the remains of a Roman fort. Among other things. But I will return to Holyhead shortly.

It will not be surprising to know that the main attractions and destinations on the island involve beaches: Trearddur Bay, Rhoscolyn, Silver Bay, Newry, Porthdafarch, Rocky Coast. Okay, so the sun isn’t out as often as it could be. But these are stunning areas with or without the sun. With just the wildness of nature. Great places for walking, surfing, kayaking. Or just clearing the cobwebs away in the blustery sea air.
Then there is Penrhos Coastal Park and Nature Reserve, North and South Stack Lighthouses; the RSPB information centre, Elin’s Tower; the Ucheldre (art) Centre; Trefignath Burial chamber, Ty Mawr hut circles, Standing Stones.

But all in good time. I will tantalise you with some photos of the area. And endeavour to look into all these places in more detail. For my benefit as much as yours, you understand. :0)

 

 

 
 



 

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