Point of Ayr

Point of Ayr ( Welsh: Y Parlwr you ) is the name of the northernmost point on the mainland of Wales. It is located just north of the village of Talacre in Flintshire, the nearest large city is the Prestatyn about six kilometers away. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds classifies the Point of Ayr as a nature reserve since there thousands curlews, oystercatchers, Peregrine, Pintail and sandwich terns have their habitat.

Coal mining

At the Point of Ayr companies were successively three established to coal mining, the first and Prestatyn Coal Company in 1865. After first successful test drilling, the project proved to be unprofitable and was abandoned quickly. 1873 tried the Western Mostyn Colliery Company again to promote coal, but failed as the Prestatyn Coal Company before.

Only the Point was founded in 1883, of Ayr Colliery Company had success, reaching in 1890 a coal seam. Soon the coal mine using 75 horses brought to the surface in 1896 already about 356 people worked in the mine. In 1953 there were about 738 workers, taking down each year about 213,000 tons of coal. The mine was closed on 23 August 1996 and completely demolished, so that today no remains can be seen from her.

Lighthouse

In 1776 was built just north of Talacre Lighthouse Point of Ayr Lighthouse. He is about 21 meters high and has two beacons, one on about 19 meters ( towards Llandudno ) and one at about 2.5 meters in height ( in the direction of Cheshire ). Since 1844 he is no longer in operation. [Note 1] In 1996, the lighthouse was restored, but it can not be visited.