Anglesey

Anglesey is a large island located off the north-west coast of Wales.

It is part of the county known as the Isle of Anglesey. This county includes Holy Island, several smaller islets, and skerries. The island sits within the Irish Sea. To the southeast, the Menai Strait separates the island from the mainland of Gwynedd. Anglesey is the largest island in Wales and the Irish Sea. It also ranks as the seventh largest island in Britain. The landscape varies across the island. The northern and eastern coasts are rugged and rocky. The southern and western coasts are generally gentler. The interior consists of gently undulating land.

The island's geography supports many different activities. The economy relies on agriculture, energy, and tourism. Tourism is especially important along the coast. Holyhead is the largest town and serves as a major ferry port for Dublin, Ireland. In the north, the Llyn Alaw reservoir provides drinking water for the northern half of the island. The coastline is very important for nature. Large parts of the coast are designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Several smaller islands, such as South Stack and Puffin Island, host large seabird colonies. Since 2015, the entire county has been a UNESCO Global Geopark. This title recognizes its unique and wide-ranging geology.

Human history on Anglesey began during the Mesolithic period. The land became habitable about 12,000 years ago after the last ice age. One of the oldest sites is Trwyn Du at Aberffraw. During the Neolithic period, people built long houses. Llanfaethlu is an example of one of the first villages in Wales. People also built burial mounds during this time. The Bryn Celli Ddu burial chamber is a famous Bronze Age site. This mound began as a henge enclosure around 3000 BC. It was adapted several times over a thousand years. Many megalithic monuments and menhirs still exist across the county.

As time passed, different groups changed how people lived on the island. During the Iron Age, Celts lived in roundhouses. Some of these dwellings were located near the River Gwna. The Holyhead Mountain Hut Circles are well-known examples of these ancient settlements. The Romans also arrived and left a mark on the island. In 60 AD, the general Gaius Suetonius Paulinus attacked the island to break the power of the druids. He destroyed sacred groves known as nemeta. Later, the governor Gnaeus Julius Agricola brought the island into the Roman Empire in 78 AD. The Romans mined copper here and built roads. One such road still connects Holyhead to Llanfairpwllgwyngyll.

In the medieval period, Anglesey was a center of royal power. The House of Aberffraw ruled the Kingdom of Gwynedd from the island. They maintained royal courts at Aberffraw and Rhosyr. The island's defensive position made it a strong capital. However, improvements to the English navy eventually made it less defensible. The island also faced many invasions. Vikings raided the area, which may have influenced the English name for the island. After the conquest of Wales by Edward I in 1283, the island's status changed. He built Beaumaris Castle at the south-eastern corner to control the region.

This castle is now part of a World Heritage Site.

The names for the island tell stories of different cultures. The Welsh name is Ynys Môn. This name appears in ancient Roman sources. Some believe the original Brittonic name meant "Island of the Cow." The English name, Anglesey, might come from Old Norse. It could mean "Hook Island" or "Ǫngli's Island." This connects the island to Viking raiders from the 10th century. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, the island was often spelled "Anglesea." These names reflect the many people who have visited or lived on the island over thousands of years.

Today, Anglesey remains a vital part of Welsh culture. It has the second-highest percentage of Welsh speakers in Wales at 57.2%. This makes it a significant heartland for the language. Modern infrastructure helps connect the island to the rest of the country. The A55 North Wales Expressway provides a major route for travel.

The island also maintains close ties with Ireland. Because of its location, many families and businesses connect the two lands. From ancient burial mounds to modern ferry ports, Anglesey is a place where history and nature meet.