Admiralty Arch, Holyhead

{{Short description|Arch in Holyhead, Anglesey, built in 1824 to mark the end of Thomas Telford's Holyhead road}}

{{For|the arch in London|Admiralty Arch}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}

File:Admirality_arch_Holyhead.jpg

Admiralty Arch, in Holyhead, Anglesey, was built in 1824 to mark the end of Thomas Telford's Holyhead road.{{cite book|author1=Geraint Jones|author2=Gwenllian Jones Rowlinson|title=Anglesey Towns and Villages|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xOhiCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT55|date=6 July 2015|publisher=Amberley Publishing Limited|isbn=978-1-4456-5153-8|pages=55–}} The arch was designed by Thomas Harrison and its main purpose was to commemorate the visit of King George IV in August 1821.{{cite book|author=Deborah Fisher|title=European Royal Wales|date=2010|publisher=University of Wales Press|isbn=978-0-7083-2214-7|pages=7}} 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 to Ireland. The change to the packet boat was met with widespread approval.{{cite web|title= George IV on board the Lightning, the first Post Office Steam Packet to Dublin, 12 August 1821|url= https://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/12111.html |publisher=Royal Museums Greenwich|access-date=6 August 2020}}

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.{{cite web|title=George IV Arch and Salt Island, Holyhead|url=http://historypoints.org/index.php?page=george-iv-arch-and-salt-island-holyhead|access-date=23 February 2018}} 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{{Coflein|num=41261|desc=Admiralty Arch; George IV Arch, Holyhead Harbour|access-date=23 February 2018}} or the Triumphal Arch.{{cite web|title=Calls to move Holyhead twin of London's Marble Arch to prominent location|date=12 February 2017 |url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/calls-move-holyhead-twin-londons-12590640|access-date=23 February 2018}}

The Grade II* listed{{National Historic Assets of Wales|num=5773|desc=George IV Arch|grade=II*|access-date=6 August 2020}} 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.{{cite news|title=Call to relocate Holyhead's 'twin' of London's Marble Arch|work=BBC News |date=13 February 2017 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-38957993|access-date=23 February 2018}} At present the best place from which to view it is from St Cybi's Churchyard.{{cite web|title=Heritage Trail 2|url=http://www.holyheadtowncouncil.com/component/content/article/21-information/70-heritage-trail-2|access-date=24 February 2018}}

At the seaward end of the Admiralty Pier, beyond the arch, is the Grade II listed Holyhead Mail Pier Lighthouse, completed in 1821 it was designed by John Rennie the Elder as part of extensive improvements to Holyhead Harbour.{{National Historic Assets of Wales|num=14758|desc=Lighthouse on Admiralty Pier|grade=II|access-date=6 August 2020}}

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