Statues - Hither & Thither

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Holyhead - Caergybi
Isle of Anglesey - Ynys Môn
Wales

The Celtic Gateway
(Bridge)

Sun Boats - Cychod Haul

David Mackie
2006

Description

24 pairs of discs (12 inch / 31 cm diametre) in the pavement of the bridge. Each pair consists of a disc with a sun motif and a disc with 13 different motifs (and one with a text); and in a circle around the Holyhead Sculpture / Cerflun Caergybi with smaller discs (8 inch / 20.5 cm) with the sun disc alternating with discs with different motifs.
The sun boat image is derived from the sun-worshipping Celts who believed it travelled across the night sky in a boat.
We were unable to find any information on the meaning of the different motifs.

Holyhead - Caergybi - Sun Boats - Cychod Haul
Sun motive.
1. Astrolabe.

2. Coin of Emperor Claudius, ticlavdivs caesar avg pm trp imp.
3. Ship with warriors.

4. Map of Holy Island with ships in the sea.
5. Celtic motive.
6. Late 18th-century Anglesey penny token, with bearded druid. Holyhead - Caergybi - Sun Boats - Cychod Haul
7. Puffin.

8. Unclear.
9. Ferns.
10. Otter.
11. Heraldic bird.

12. Fish with letters N and S.
13. Text disc: Er cof am Terry Brown M.I.C.E. Cyfarwyddwr Proslect 1939-2004 In Memory of Terry Brown M.I.C.E. Project Director.

Sixteen smaller discs around the Holyhead Sculpture on the bridge, alternating a sun and nine different motives, with different half circles.

Holyhead - Caergybi - Sun Boats - Cychod Haul
s1. Sun motive.

s2. Leaves and berries.>/td>
s3. Hares.
s4. Cormorants.
s5. Mammoth.

s6. Red Kite (?).
s7. Hawk.
s8. The Green Man or Man in the Tree.
s9. Sestertius of Nerva, Coin with two mules, inscription vehicvlatione italiae remissa s c.

Celtic Gateway

The Celtic Gateway (Welsh: Porth Celtaidd) is a stainless steel pedestrian and cycle bridge in Holyhead. Opened on 19 October 2006 by Andrew Davies AM to better connect the railway station and ferry terminal with the town centre for pedestrians and cyclists. The distance between the two was originally 830 metres, including two steep inclines and the crossing of a busy road. The current bridge has one shallow incline and cuts the distance to 280 metres with no roads to cross (Wikipedia)..
There are four artworks along the Celtic Gateway:

Sun Boats / Cychod Haul by David Mackie
St.Cybi and St.Seiriol / St.Cybi ac St.Siriol by Gary Drostle
Holyhead Sculpture / Cerflun Caergybi by Howard Bowcott
Waterwall / Wal Ddwr by Marianne Forrest

Information sign

GWAITH CELF
Mae celf cyhoeddus gan sawl
artist wedi eu creu, gyda chymorth
ariannol Cyngor y Cetfyddydau.

"Cychod Haul" gan David Mackie
Mae cyfres o ddisgiau efydd yn ffurfio rhan o'r pafin.
Mae'r llun o gwch haul yn deillio o gred y Celtiaid fod yr
haul yn cael ei gludo ar draws awyr y nos mewn cwch.
Crewyd nifer o ddisgiau eraill a patrymau yn
dangos treftadaeth lleol.

"St.Cybi ac St.Siriol" gan Gary Drostle
Mae'r paneli mosaic gerllaw yn dangos y ddau sant Celtaidd
yma o Ynys Môn.

"Cerflun Caergybi" gan Howard Bowcott
Mae'r cerfiuniau dramatig yma o waith llechi yn adlewyrchu
siapiau cychod a pyst clymu rhaff, ac yn cynnwys
barddoniaeth gan Menna Elfyn.

"Wal Ddwr" gan Marianne Forrest
Mae'r artist wedi defnyddio tonnau efydd wedi
ei rolio i addurno wal y Stesion, a
dangos arno hanes Caergybi
mewn lluniau gan blant lleol

ARTWORK
Public artwork features by several
artists have been provided, supported
by funding from the Arts Council for Wales.

"Sun Boats" by David Mackie
A series of bronze plaques have been built into the
bridge paving. The sun boat image is derived from the
sun-worshiping Celts who believed it travelled across the
night sky in a boat. Other plaques and glass etchings reflect
local heritage features.

"St.Cybi and St.Seiriol" by Gary Drostle
The adjacent mosaic panels show these two Celtic church saints
from Anglesey.

"Holyhead Sculpture" by Howard Bowcott
These dramatic slatework features on the causeway and at the
harbourside have been designed to reflect the shapes of boats
and mooring posts, and include poetry by Menna Elfyn.

"Waterwall" by Marianne Forrest
The artist has used rolled brass waves etched
with Holyhead timeline images created by
local children to adorn the walls of the
railway station.

Sculptor

David Mackie, British artist (Website).

Sources & Information

Wikipedia, The Celtic Gateway.

Locatie (N 53°18'34" - W 4°37'52") (Satellite view: Google Maps)

Item Code: gbwa159; Photograph: 20 June 2023
Of each statue we made photos from various angles and also detail photos of the various texts.
If you want to use photos, please contact us via the contact form (in Dutch, English or German).
© Website and photos: René & Peter van der Krogt

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Sun motive.	1. Astrolabe.	2. Coin of Emperor Claudius, ticlavdivs caesar avg pm trp imp.	3. Ship with warriors.
4. Map of Holy Island with ships in the sea.	5. Celtic motive.	6. Late 18th-century Anglesey penny token, with bearded druid.	7. Puffin.
8. Unclear.	9. Ferns.	10. Otter.	11. Heraldic bird.
12. Fish with letters N and S.		13. Text disc: Er cof am Terry Brown M.I.C.E. Cyfarwyddwr Proslect 1939-2004 In Memory of Terry Brown M.I.C.E. Project Director.

s2. Leaves and berries.>/td>	s3. Hares.	s4. Cormorants.	s5. Mammoth.
s6. Red Kite (?).	s7. Hawk.	s8. The Green Man or Man in the Tree.	s9. Sestertius of Nerva, Coin with two mules, inscription vehicvlatione italiae remissa s c.