Known locally as the Brightling Needle, this obelisk stands atop a hill, variously known as Brightling Down and Brightling Beacon, that is 646 feet (197 m) above sea level. The obelisk itself is 65 feet (20 m) high. It is constructed of coursed stone, built in four sections with a stringcourse above each section.
The reason for its existence is open to conjecture. Some sources claim that it was erected to commemorate Nelson's victory at Trafalgar in 1805. Still others purport that it stands in celebration of Wellington's victory over Napoleon in 1815. It seems odd, however, that there is no inscription on the monument, another mystery left by Jack Fuller.
In 1985, extensive renovations were carried out to strengthen and stabilize the obelisk. Two local men who were involved with earlier repairs scratched these words into the structure: R Croft, 1899; and Charles Croft, July 29, 1889, aged 16 years.
In comparison, the Wellington memorial in Phoenix Park, Dublin stands 205 feet ( 62.5 m) tall. Completed in 1861 it did not however reach it's full proposed height. Lack of funds also prevented a statue of the Duke on horseback that was in the original plans from being installed.
Nevertheless, it is still the tallest obelisk in Europe. Interestingly enough it was designed by none other than Sir Robert Smirke which leads to conjecture about the Brightling Needle. In contrast, there are four bronze plaques on the Dublin obelisk cast from cannons captured at Waterloo. The inscription reads:
Asia and Europe, saved by thee, proclaim
Invincible in war thy deathless name,
Now round thy brow the civic oak we twine
That every earthly glory may be thine.
Brightling Needle
Wellington Obelisk
Dublin, Ireland
"The Battle of Waterloo" - Wellington Obelisk, Dublin
The 90 foot tall Bulkeley Monument on Cremlyn Hill was unveiled on 1st June 1882. It is described in the Cadw (Historic Environment Service of the Welsh Assembly) report as: 'Hard ashlar, probably Penmon stone, on panelled plinth with a moulded base and cornice, standing on a square stone platform.'
It was built to commemorate Sir Richard Bulkeley Williams Bulkeley, 10th Bart who was born in 1801 and died 28 August 1875, after having “dominated local government and politics in Anglesey for half a century.”
