Day 12 – July 1, 2024 – Holyhead, Wales

We were in port this morning, and not able to walk through the port to explore like we were hoping so we had a quick breakfast, did a workout in the gym and came back to shower and grab a bite for lunch before heading out at 1 p.m. for our excursion. We had another small group, which made it nice, and it was about an hour’s drive from the port to Caernarfon Castle. We were able to visit the castle for about an hour and our guide, Anne, gave us some wonderful information about the castle.

A royal fortress palace recognized as one of the greatest buildings of the Middle Ages.
Built on the banks of the River Seiont.
One of Edward the 1^st’s castles.
In 1969, Prince Charles was invested there.
The Royal Welch Fusieliers Musuem is housed in two of the towers of the castle, with exhibits telling the 300-year story of Wales’ oldest infantry regiment.
The walls are 18 feet thick, and it has three great turrets.
The castle is over 700 years old and was completed in 1330.

We had about an hour to walk around on our own time and then drove back to the port. We did our usual clean up, happy hour and then headed to Chartreuse to celebrate Don & Midge’s anniversary.

Tomorrow, we head to Waterford, Ireland and it is our long excursion to Tipperary. Nite all 😊

ABOUT HOLYHEAD, WALES (taken from the daily newsletter)

It is the largest town on the Isle of Anglesey in Wales, with a population of 12, 084 as of 2021.
Located on Holy Island, it is separated from the main island of Anglesey by the narrow Cymyran Strait. The town’s strategic position has made it a crucial maritime gateway between Britian and Ireland for centuries.
The port of Holyhead is one of the busiest ferry ports in the UK, serving as a major connection point to Ireland. Regular ferry services operate between Holyhead and Dublin.
Holyhead’s name in Welsh is Caergybi, meaning “Cybi’s fort,” referring to the 6^th century Roman fort that now houses St. Cybi’s Church, one of the town’s most prominent landmarks.
The English name “Holyhead” has been in use since at least the 14^th century and refers to the holiness of the locality.