Join us as we delve into the rich tapestry of history woven by the Irbys and Bostons on Anglesey.
By Lord Boston, owner of our Moryn, Cae’r Borth and the newly added Ty Poeth hideaways
The Irbys and the Bostons
The family name Irby originates from Lincolnshire, where they lived as a family of standing being involved for generations as MPs. The Irbys’ involvement with the island came out of association with the Paget family, who have had connections to Anglesey back as far as Henry VIII’s reign.
The Irbys and Pagets are linked back from 1641 when, after the death of his third wife, Sir Anthony Irby married Catherine Paget, who was the third daughter of William Paget, the fourth Baron Paget. They had a son Edward, who was later knighted Sir Edward Irby of Whaplode after his services as an MP.
Edward Irby in turn married Dorothy Paget, the sister of Henry Paget, the 7th baron Paget. It was Henry’s son by the same name who lost his leg in the battle of Waterloo and became the first Marquis of Anglesey.
Henry Paget bought land in Brynsiencyn in 1740, along with the house Llanidan Hall, but sadly only lived for 3 years to enjoy it and died in August of 1743. Upon his death he passed the estate to his sister’s son William Irby.
William led quite an interesting life. He held the office of Page of Honour to King George II, and later became the Equerry to the Prince of Wales for eight years. Following two decades as an MP, King George III gave him the title of Lord Boston in 1761. The Bostons clearly caught the Anglesey bug, as they bought further land over the northeastern side around Dulas and Traeth Lligwy, and the villages of Moelfre and Marianglas.
The Boston family were very much part of the Royal Court; King George III was godfather to William's oldest son, Frederick. Their association with the royal family continued through the following generations. Frederick was Gentleman to the Bedchamber of both King George III and King George IV. Their friendship and association with the royal family carried on through Queen Victoria and King Edward VII. Needless to say, these days the closest the modern Bostons have come to the Royals is like everyone else - seeing them on television!
The history of Ynys Môn and Moryn
As part of their affair with Ynys Môn, the family understandably loved the sea and all the wonders that come with it. In those days they did things properly. Whilst today most people are happy to have a swim and a BBQ on the beach and launch boats from public slipways, they decided to build their own fun park. At the small beach nestled south of Traeth Lligwy in the 1920s they built two stone sea walls and a series of boat houses.
Once upon a time, it boasted a tidal swimming pool and winch houses with boats on railway trollies whizzing up and down the beach. But over a century of storms and relentless bashing by the waves have taken their toll. We have had to rebuild the main wall twice in the last ten years and the small wall is a shadow of its former self. What does remain in the small wall is the finishing stone with the inscription ‘MORYN DOCK opened by HRH Princess Victoria September 1922’.
Princess Victoria was the fourth child of King Edward VII and one can only assume they enjoyed all those many sunny days we still love so much on Anglesey!
Having the toys on the beach meant as often as not when the sun was not shining, the family needed somewhere to warm up and take refreshment. The then Lord Boston built a tea house overlooking the beach with far reaching views across the bay. On a very clear day you can even see the hills of the Isle of Man in the distance over the Irish Sea.
Another chapter in Moryn’s story
Moryn was the seed to another love affair with the family.
Generations passed, and with them the baton. It was Cecil Eustace the 8th Baron Boston who made the decision to live in Moryn and so extended the blueprint to include a wooden chalet behind the tea house, with only the most basic cooking and washing facilities.
When in 1958 his older brother Greville died, leaving only daughters as heirs, ‘Uncle Eustace’ as he was fondly known inherited what was left of the estate.
Eustace took no time in drawing up plans for his dream home and so was born Cae’r Borth.
There was method in his madness, as beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder. One would argue Cae’r Borth is a house to look out from and possibly not gaze adoringly at. The house was so dressed in order that it did not stick out and supposedly blended into its surroundings. Eustace was a bachelor and lived a very solitary life with his butler and cook living in a staff flat. It may surprise you that a house that very comfortably sleeps fourteen was originally a 2 bedroom house with a one bedroom staff flat!
My parents inherited it in 1972 and over the years the house has been added to, knocked down, built up and tweaked here, there and everywhere! What you see now is the product of both the Dowager Lady Boston and Nicki Boston who have added their stamps to the house as no doubt future generations will do also.
Moryn didn’t remain untouched either. In 2005 my parents dramatically remodeled Moryn, removing the camping style feel of chemical loos and Calor gas lighting, replacing it with the beautiful three bedroom house it now is. It has to have one of the best views of any house in all of Wales, if not the UK!
A look to the future
Mum has decided to cherry pick and has now passed Moryn over to Nicki and I to look after, and so it has returned as a holiday let. The dowager can be found at Moryn when the sun is shining in the summer weeks and has returned to London to enjoy the opera and theatre and companionship of her Fulham friends.
The fun and games don’t stop here. I have decided to turn my back on thirty years working in the city to return to my favourite childhood holidaying spot, and to start another new chapter for the Boston family and Ynys Môn. Nicki and I are overseeing a very exciting project redeveloping a farm that has been in the family for over 250 years, to transform into a wedding and events venue. Right now, it looks more like an earthquake zone than a party barn but by May 2025 we aim to be open for business. What is slowly growing up from the ground is a double birth Dutch Barn with an open mezzanine floor, with space for up to 150 guests to enjoy the beautiful views over Traeth Lligwy while sipping glasses of bubbly celebrating with friends and family.
We’ll have multiple barns and the farmhouse, and once teamed up with Moryn and Cae’r Borth we’ll be to sleep up to fifty guests. My sister and brother both have homes nearby too, with Tyn Lon and Aber - also available through Boltholes and Hideaways.
Build it and they will come!
Ready to write your own story at Moryn? You can find more details here. Or, if you’re looking to explore Cae’r Borth, you can do so here. You can also discover Ty Poeth here.
At the time of writing we have a rare summer week available at Cae'r Borth due to a cancellation. 19th-26th July is now reduced from £5895 to £3550. First come, first served - if you find the date appears unavailable on the website, it has already been booked.
