Amywch Lighthouse

A square tower erected in 1853, is the fourth on this site, the first probably in 1817. It has original fine, but battered, ashlar masonry to a height of 4.6 metres (15ft), the present lantern was added on top at a later date. The light was discontinued in 1973.

Two short piers at Amlwch were built following a private Act of Parliament of 1743, when the harbour was improved. Two octagonal houses with small lanterns, protruding from the roof, were added. They were described in the New Seaman’s Guide as "small white houses displaying lights at night".

In 1816 an outer pier, about 46 metres (151ft) long, was built to give shipping extra protection inside the harbour. In 1817, a small lighthouse with a light 8.5 metres (28ft) above high water mark was built, subsequently replaced with the present lighthouse. There are, like many, variations to this story, some say it was built in 1853, others sources including Findlay's 1879 list say the building is the 1817 original.

The drydock and lighthouse on the small creek at Amlwch once served the shipping of one of the largest copper mines in Europe, located at Parys Mountain. The significance of the early copper-exporting port at Amlwch makes the lighthouse part of a heritage site of international importance. (http://www.photographers-resource.co.uk/)



See Pips for alternative view and harbour.