Holy Island, Anglesey

Holy Island (Welsh: "Ynys Gybi", 'the island of (Saint) Cybi') is an island (convert|15.22|sqmi|km2|1|abbr=on) on the western side of Anglesey, north Wales. 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 2001 Census, the population of Ynys Gybi is 13,579.

History

Irish pirates invaded Anglesey following the withdrawal of Rome from Britannia. Cunedda first began warfare against the Irish, but ultimately Cadwallon Lawhir defeated the Irish on Holy Island. [ [http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=18200 C.Michael Hogan, "Bodysgallen", Megalithic portal, ed. A. Burnham, 2007] ]

Natural features

There are a variety of natural habitats on Anglesey including mudflats, dunes, marshes, and beaches. [ [http://www.anglesey-history.co.uk/angnatur.html Anglesey natural history] ]

Transportation

Holy Island is connected to Anglesey by two road links. The first is made up of causeways carrying the A5/A55 road 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.

Around convert|30|mi|km of the convert|125|mi|km|sing=on Anglesey Coastal Path is on Holy Island.

hipwrecks

Peripheral islands and stacks include 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.

Reference footnotes

External links

* [http://www.jncc.gov.uk/protectedsites/SACselection/sac.asp?EUCode=UK0013046 Holy Island protected site]
* [http://www.rhoscolyn.anglesey.sch.uk Ysgol Rhoscolyn Primary School]