Point Lynas

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Point Lynas Lighthouse

Point Lynas (Welsh: Trwyn Eilian or Trwyn y Balog) is a headland marking the very north-eastern point of the Anglesey coast. On the headland stands the Point Lynas Lighthouse, at SH479936).

The headland stands to the east of Llaneilian, and forms a sheltering eastern edge to its natural harbour, Porth Eilian.

Lighthouse

The Point Lynas Lighthouse is of a distinctive design; a castellated building comprising a two-storey dwelling surmounted by a square tower 36 feet high. The semicircular lantern is located at the base. The present lantern is 15 feet in diameter and dates from about 1874. The lantern has a cast-iron lower wall and rectangular glazing bars take the height to 12 feet. The lantern is topped by a plain conical roof with a ball finial. The square tower above has a corbelled oriel window of the pilot's look-out.

The first light was established in 1779 at a site about 300 yards south of the present tower, to provide accommodation for Liverpool pilots making use of the shelter at Porthyrysgaw. The site was abandoned for the present position, so that a light could be positioned on the more important north-eastern position, where a tower is not required, given the height of the cliff.

In 1952 the station was electrified and the mechanical elements of the original light-shutter were removed. In 1948 an automatic acetylene fog-gun was installed, but was removed in 1973, when the light was transferred to Trinity House, who fitted electrical emitters. The light was automated in 1989 and is now controlled from Holyhead. As a result, the lighthouse keepers' cottages reverted back to Mersey Docks and Harbour Company.

Outside links

References

  • Hague, D., B., The Lighthouses of Wales Their Architecture and Archaeology (The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, Edited by Hughes, S., 1994) ISBN 1-871184-08-8