Holy Island, Anglesey 4.88

Holy Island is an island on the western side of the larger Isle of Anglesey, Wales, from which it is separated by a narrow, winding channel. It is called "Holy" because of the high concentration of standing stones, burial chambers, and other religious sites on the small island. The alternative and historic name of the island is Holyhead Island. According to the 2011 UK Census, the population was 13,659, of which 11,431 lived in the largest town, Holyhead.HistoryIrish pirates invaded Anglesey following the end of Roman rule in Britannia. Cunedda first began warfare against the Irish but ultimately Cadwallon Lawhir defeated the Irish on Holy Island.Natural featuresThere are a variety of natural habitats on Anglesey including mudflats, dunes, marshes, and beaches. Practically nothing is left of the oak forest that covered almost all of the island before the arrival of Neolithic farmers. The western side of the island is taken up mainly by Holyhead Mountain, an area of maritime heather moor, which is the highest peak in the county at 722ft. The coastal zone between the island and the mainland of Anglesey is a large site of special scientific interest – Beddmanarch–Cymyran.