The South Stack Lighthouse was constructed by Daniel Alexandra and Joseph Nelson in 1808 and lies off the north-west coast of Holy Island near the Isle of Anglesey. It was built to protect ships on the seas between Holyhead, Liverpool and Dublin and the main light can be seen for 30 miles. Before a bridge was built in 1828, the only way to reach the structure was in a basket which was suspended on a rope. The lighthouse has over 400 stone steps down to its footbridge and the areas cliffs host a large number of sea birds. The Victorians encouraged the birds since their cries gave sailors warning of land during foggy weather, in the days before the lighthouse. The treacherous terrain, violent seas and dangerous nature of the job has claimed the lives of a number of lighthouse keepers, mariners and locals. Subsequently, tales of ghostly happenings at the structure are rife. Heavy footsteps have been heard many times on the 400 stairs to the isolated footbridge and uneartly cries and screams have been reported.