Hotel’s Seaside Stand: A Port Dream That Never Was in Porthdinllaen

Porthdinllaen was once considered for a big ferry port to serve Ireland. The harbor was a safe place for ships to load cargo and find shelter. Boats were built there, too. The village thrived on herring fishing, salting and shipping tons of it long ago.

In 1806, William Madocks wanted to build a harbor. Parliament agreed to let him construct it. Madocks envisioned a mail route to Dublin connected to London by road. A hotel called the Old Whitehall was built for ferry travelers.

However, Holyhead was chosen over Porthdinllaen. Thomas Telford built the A5 road to Holyhead, finishing this large project in 1826.

Holyhead is now a busy UK port, while Porthdinllaen is a beautiful place where tourism matters. The Old Whitehall never became a hotel, but was an inn for a while. The Ty Coch pub stayed popular.

The Old Whitehall is now apartments. One part, called Marina, is run down. Its spot right on the beach hurts it. Rebecca Solomon wants to fix Marina and preserve it.

Marina was once part of a hotel for ferry travelers. The National Trust calls it imposing. It sits right on the beach and formed a U-shape with arches.

Marina needs repairs due to its beach location. The leaseholders want to fix it gently so future generations can enjoy it.

Marina is a significant old building and an important landmark. Workers will renovate it carefully, improving the kitchen and enhancing old features like archways.

Planners at Cyngor Gwynedd will review the plans.