19/03/2026
A few months ago the museum was invited to participate in a pilot scheme initiated by Welsh Government to identify a specific collection within the museum that could be deemed significant and special in terms of Welsh history and culture. Once accepted as such it would be recognised both nationally and internationally and given all the necessary protection. Similar schemes were already in operation in England, Scotland and N. Ireland. The process was to be managed by Headland Design.
It was decided that the museum’s collection of models of Holyhead ships connecting the UK with Ireland over the last two centuries was special enough to be put forward together with a unique collection of artefacts linked to Commander John Macgregor Skinner, a renowned ship captain at Holyhead during the early 19th century.
The process turned out to be very demanding but we are pleased to report that our submission has now met all the necessary criteria and we join 14 other museums in Wales, mostly local authority run, being recommended to Welsh Government as having a collection with special recognition in representing Wales’ history and culture. The result of this is that it not only raises the status of the Holyhead Maritime Museum but also recognises the importance of Holyhead’s place in the heritage and culture of Wales.
The photo is of TSS Galtee More, 1898-1925.
