On 1st August 1848 the Chester and Holyhead Railway opened to Holyhead, and ship passengers bound for Ireland were taken through the town by Robert's horse bus to 
Admiralty pier had three timber jetties and one of stone from where the Cambria and the Scotia steamers went to Ireland in about four hours.  The Anglia and the Hibernia also came into service before the end of 1848.
    The Act of 1847 gave powers for a new packet pier construction to be built as part of government proposals for a large refuge harbour.  There was much need for a new harbour.  The Admiralty Pier at the Northern end of the harbour near the entrance from which the railway and City of Dublin steamers embarked and disembarked their passengers was very heavily used.  It was exposed in bad weather with the water alongside needing frequent dredging.  Considerable congestion would occur in the harbour as ships would try to find shelter when bad storms hit .
    James Meadows Rendel was the engineer for the new refuge.  He proposed a north and east breakwater in conjunction with an inner steam packet pier on the north shore, on the other side of the town to the old harbour.  Construction began in January 1848.  With the expectation of more traffic coming to the Port when Britannia Bridge was opened, plans were made for a railway extension between the station and Admiralty Pier.
    The sea/rail service left a lot to be desired at first until an angry travelling rail director, displeased with the service, gave orders that a refreshment room be provided at the temporary station.
    In 1850 it was decided that there should be a permanent station at Holyhead.  The railway extension at Admiralty Pier opened on 20th May 1851 and the opening of the new station in September of that year, with passenger comfort being assured by the opening a permanent refreshment room and by the purchase by the railway of the Royal Hotel, which had hot & cold shower baths and was fitted with a style of elegance in every way for the highest grade of people in Society.  The new station was described as "commodious and extensive".
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