An old map depicting Conwy, Llandudno and Penrhyn. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhos-on-Sea

The area has a rich and colourful history:

According to legend, in 1170 Prince Madog ab Owain Gwynedd and his brother, Riryd, sailed from Aber Cerrig Gwynion (now Rhos-on-Sea) in two ships, the Gorn Gwynant and the Pedr Sant. They sailed west and landed in what is now Alabama in the USA.

Prince Madog then returned to Wales with great tales of his adventures and persuaded others to return to America with him. They sailed from Lundy Island in 1171 and were never heard of again.

On 14 April 1587, printing material for Catholic literature was found in a cave on the Little Orme, where it had been used by the recusant Robert Pugh (squire of Penrhyn Hall) and his Chaplain Father William Davies to print Y Drych Cristianogawl (The Christian Mirror), allegedly the first book to be printed in Wales*. They had taken refuge there during the persecution of Catholics instigated by Queen Elizabeth I in May 1586.

• According to alternative sources, in 1546, Sir John Price (John Prys of Brecon) published the first book in the Welsh language, his collection of basic religious texts was entitled "Yn Llyvyr Hwnn" (In This Book).