Admiralty Arch, in

Holyhead Holyhead (,; cy, Caergybi , "Cybi's fort") is the largest town and a community in the county of Isle of Anglesey, Wales, with a population of 13,659 at the 2011 census. Holyhead is on Holy Island, bounded by the Irish Sea to the north, and is ...

, Anglesey, was built in 1824 to mark the end of Thomas Telford's Holyhead road. The arch was designed by Thomas Harrison and its main purpose was to commemorate the visit of King

George IV of the United Kingdom George IV (George Augustus Frederick; 12 August 1762 – 26 June 1830) was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and King of Hanover from the death of his father, King George III, on 29 January 1820, until his own death ten y ...

in August 1821. The King arrived in Holyhead on the royal yacht ''Royal George'' on the 7 August, continuing to Plas Newydd where he stopped overnight. He returned the next day to his yacht, but due to poor weather his departure was delayed and the decision was made to transfer to the steam packet ''Lightning'' which conveyed him on the 12 August to Howth, near Dublin for his

state visit A state visit is a formal visit by a head of state to a foreign country, at the invitation of the head of state of that foreign country, with the latter also acting as the official host for the duration of the state visit. Speaking for the host ...

to Ireland. The change to the packet boat was met with widespread approval. Funded through public subscription the structure took two years to complete and was made of stone quarried at Red Wharf Bay on the eastern side of Anglesey. Due to its history it is known alternatively as the George IV Arch by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales or the Triumphal Arch. The

Grade II* listed In the United Kingdom, a listed building or listed structure is one that has been placed on one of the four statutory lists maintained by Historic England in England, Historic Environment Scotland in Scotland, in Wales, and the Northern Irel ...

arch is situated within the Port of Holyhead on Ynys Halen and cannot be accessed by the public due to safety reasons. In 2017, plans to move it to a more open location were mooted. At present the best place from which to view it is from St Cybi's Churchyard. At the seaward end of the Admiralty Pier, beyond the arch, is the Grade II listed

Holyhead Mail Pier Lighthouse Holyhead Mail Pier or Admiralty Pier Lighthouse on Salt Island, Anglesey, is an inactive lighthouse which was designed by the civil engineer John Rennie in 1821. It was built in the early 19th century to help guide shipping into the newly con ...

, completed in 1821 it was designed by John Rennie as part of extensive improvements to

Holyhead Harbour Holyhead Breakwater is situated at the north-western end of Holyhead in Anglesey in North Wales. The Victorian structure, which is long, is the longest breakwater in the United Kingdom. The breakwater, which is accessible in good weather, ...

. File:The landing of his Majesty, George the Fourth, at Holyhead, August 7th 1821.jpeg, George IV arriving at Holyhead, 7 August 1821 File:William John Huggins (1781-1845) - George IV On Board the 'Lightning', the First Post Office Steam Packet to Dublin, 12 August 1821 - BHC0619 - Royal Museums Greenwich.jpg, George IV on board the 'Lightning' en route to Dublin, 12 August 1821 File:A plan of a triumphal memorial intended to be erected by subscription on the pier at Holyhead - in honour of the visit of His Majesty George IV, to the principality of Wales on the 7th. of August 1821, by Thomas Harrison Esq. Architect.jpeg, A plan of the triumphal arch, pier and lighthouse

References

{{Authority control Buildings and structures completed in 1824 Terminating vistas in the United Kingdom Triumphal arches in the United Kingdom Landmarks in Wales Grade II* listed monuments and memorials Grade II* listed buildings in Anglesey