| Most yachtsmen sailing the Irish Sea will be familiar | | | | between Skerries Rock and Carmel Head on |
| with Anglesey lighthouses. | | | | Anglesey is a major navigational challenge at the best |
| When they approach Anglesey from the north or from | | | | of times. |
| Dublin bay in the west it's not long before they spot | | | | Many yachtsmen will choose not to sail through |
| Skerries lighthouse. | | | | Langdon Ridge at night because of the strong tidal |
| Today this Trinity House lighthouse on Skerries Rock is | | | | currents and proximity of the rocks. |
| fully automated and at 23 metres in height, its white | | | | If you sail at the wrong time, because you misread the |
| flashing light can be seen up to 22 miles away. | | | | tide tables, for example, you will make virtually no |
| The rock even receives regular visits from an RSPB | | | | headway as the tidal current is so powerful. |
| bird watching team, who monitor one of the largest | | | | With a full flood tide sweeping up behind you from |
| tern colonies in the world. | | | | Holyhead Bay to the west, it's possible to make |
| But almost 200 years ago, it was an Irishman called | | | | considerable progress "over the land" passing Cemlyn |
| William Trench, who in 1713 took out a 99 year lease | | | | Nature Reserve and Wylfa Nuclear Power Station |
| on Skerries from William Robinson, a local landowner. | | | | nearby. |
| Trench's perseverance paid off and in 1716 saw the | | | | Sailing around this island coastline is great. You can |
| first Skerries Lighthouse in operation. Admittedly it was | | | | enjoy the wide variety of wildlife - dolphins, seals, |
| only a 35 foot high tower with an open grate, and a | | | | razorbills and guillemots - and wonder at the history |
| flame provided by burning coal. | | | | behind the reassuring presence of the Anglesey |
| But William Trench the businessman charged a levy | | | | Lighthouses. |
| per tonne on all passing ships except the British Navy, | | | | Sailors heading for St Mary's on the Isle of Man can |
| and in 1730 they totalled about £1,100 ($2,200) | | | | leave Holyhead with a plan to approach Skerries |
| every year (assuming £1=$2). | | | | Lighthouse at low water, giving them the best part of |
| Over the following years the fees increased until by | | | | six hours flood tide to get to their northward |
| 1828 the light fees were a staggering £11,800. | | | | destination. |
| Ownership changed hands over this period and | | | | So from the time of William Trench almost 200 years |
| eventually the Trinity House Corporation purchased the | | | | ago, Skerries is a fine example of service to the |
| freehold of Skerries Lighthouse for £445,000 | | | | maritime community and deserves its place in the hall |
| ($990,000) in 1841. | | | | of fame of Anglesey Lighthouses. |
| Sailing through the Langdon Ridge, the channel | | | | |