Holyhead

Holyhead, a seaport (once a parliamentary borough) of Anglesey, North Wales, is situated on a small island of the same name, 60 miles E. of Dublin, 85 W. of Chester, and 264 NW. of London. Although recently much improved, it is still a primitive, irregularly-built town. It is the terminus of the London and North-Western Railway (1850), and the port for the mail steam-packets to Dublin, which perform the voyage in about four hours. The shipping accommodation consists of a harbour with two divisions, and a roadstead sheltered by a breakwater. The harbour was extended in 1873-80, and the quay lengthened to 4000 feet. The roadstead or harbour of refuge (1847-73), with an area of about 400 acres, is protected from the sea on the north by a solid masonry wall, rising 38 feet 9 inches above low-water mark, and backed by a strong rubble mound (see BREAK-WATER, Vol. II. p. 413). Pop. (1875) 5622; (1891) 8726, employed in the coasting trade and in ship-building and rope-making. Till 1885 Holyhead united with Amlwch, Beanmaris, and Llangefni in sending one member to parliament.