The island that holds the heart of the Welsh language
While much of Wales has seen its linguistic traditions shift, one island remains a vital stronghold. Anglesey, or Ynys Môn, preserves a deep cultural heritage, boasting the second-highest density of Welsh speakers in the country and a history stretching back to the Mesolithic era.
The island of Anglesey, the largest in Wales, serves as a linguistic and historical anchor for the Welsh identity. With a population of approximately 69,097 as of 2024, the county maintains a profound connection to its roots, with 57.2% of its residents speaking Welsh. This linguistic vitality is set against a landscape of immense geological and historical depth; since 2015, the entire county has been recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark due to its unique geological features.
The island's history is a palimpsest of migrations and conquests. Following the last ice age, the land became habitable roughly 12,000 years ago. By the Mesolithic period, humans were already establishing sites like Trwyn Du. The landscape later saw the rise of the House of Aberffraw, a medieval dynasty that ruled the Kingdom of Gwynedd from its royal courts on the island until the 13th century. This era of independence was punctuated by Viking raids in the 9th and 10th centuries and the eventual conquest by Edward I in 1283.
Beyond its prehistoric monuments, such as the Bryn Celli Ddu burial chamber, Anglesey has long been a site of strategic importance. The Roman presence was significant; generals like Gaius Suetonius Paulinus targeted the island to dismantle the power of the Druids around 60 AD. Today, the island's economy relies on a mix of agriculture, energy, and tourism, with the port of Holyhead serving as a vital link to Dublin, Ireland, maintaining the ancient cultural and economic ties between the two shores.
Source: Anglesey
