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Carmel Head, Anglesey
Carmel Head may not be easy to reach by road, but it is the isolation that makes this an unique spot. This point is also called Pen Bryn-yr-Eglwys (which translates as the Hill or Mount of the Church). It seems there was at one time a small church on the headland, founded by some ascetics who sought a quiet life in 6th Century Anglesey. So, perhaps the church was named after the Mount Carmel from the Holy Land. To lend weight to this view, you will find a small valley roughly to the south of Carmel Head which is called Pant-yr-Eglwys. On your visit to this isolated yet beautiful corner of our island, you will see evidence of the huge copper ore industry. Old, abandoned mineshafts and various buildings testify to the once active mining industry on this coast. The prevailing view is that it was the Romans who started the search for copper on Anglesey, following their invasion of Britain in 43 A.D. There are extensive copper mine works On Parys Mountain, along this north coast, just south of the historic port of Amlwch.
Standing at the summit of Carmel Head is a wonderful experience. You can see just how strong the tidal currents are between the Skerries rock and the mainland. It is no surprise that many ships and lives have been lost along this stretch of the coast. The sea is so turbulent and a measure of this is the extent to which the Trinity House navigation buoys are tipped over by these strong currents.
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