Holyhead

Seaport on the north coast of Holy Island, off Anglesey, northwest Wales; population (2001) 11,200. The island is linked by road and railway bridges with Anglesey, and there are regular sailings from Holyhead to Dublin, and to nearby port Dun Laoghaire, Republic of Ireland.

Holyhead became a place of strategic importance from the 16th century because of its proximity to Ireland. It underwent dramatic changes in the 19th century with the construction of the harbour. The population rose from 3,869 in 1841 to 10,079 in 1901, and has remained fairly stable since then. The 1960s brought the first car ferry to Holyhead, and now there are luxury ferries and high speed ferries operating daily from the port. Stena Line owns and controls the harbour of Holyhead, but Irish Ferries also operates from the port.

The harbour has an area of 1.08 sq km/0.42 sq mi and a breakwater 32 km/20 mi long; this refuge is extended by 1.62 sq km/0.63 sq mi of roadstead. Construction of the harbour began in 1846 and was completed in 1873; major works to expand both its size and its facilities for Irish traffic were finished in 1977. St Cybi is a notable, old embattled church.