Holywood is in the Belfast metropolitan area in County Down, Northern Ireland.
With a population of over 11,000, Holywood is on the shore of Belfast Lough, between Belfast and Bangor. The Belfast City Airport is nearby. Belfast, Newtownards, Comber, Bangor, and Carrickfergus are 6, 6, 7, 8, and 12 miles from Holywood, respectively.
As compared to the larger cities, Holywood is a tranquil seaside town on the edge of Belfast Lough, yet on the edge of Belfast and Bangor.
Long before its currend cafes and boutiques, Holywood's roots are ancient. Before 640 A.D., it was home to a small monastic settlement founded by Saint Laiseran. Its early inhabitants built their lives around the Holywood Priory, which not only set the tone for religious and cultural life at the time but also earned the town its name, which comes from the Latin Sanctus Boscus, or "holy wood."
As time moved on, Holywood grew into a lively town with a fascinating history. In the early 19th century, wealthy people from Belfast began building grand homes in Holywood, where they could enjoy the fresh coastal air, a practice known as sea bathing.
The arrival of the Belfast and County Down Railway in 1848 spurred growth in the town. Between 1900 and 2001, its population grew from 3,500 to 12,000. This growth, along with that of other towns and villages along the coastal strip to Bangor, prompted the construction of the Holywood Bypass, completed in 1972.
During the era of socio-political conflict known as The Troubles (late 1960s to 1998), Holywood's experience was markedly shaped by its role as a military hub. This distinction set it apart from other towns of similar size. The Palace Barracks, a longstanding British army installation in Holywood housed thousands of soldiers and their families. This brought a constant state of heightened security and surveillance, but also made the town a prominent symbol of the state's commitment to maintaining order. Whereas many small towns experienced sporadic or localized outbreaks of violence during this period, Holywood saw continuous military activity, secretive intelligence operations, and the targeting of its military infrastructure.
Today, Holywood has grown into a relatively prosperous, laid-back community. Its economy is a blend of local businesses, tourism, and some well-off residents who love the town's friendly atmosphere. Its charming High Street is lined with boutique shops, cozy cafes, and great restaurants.
The iconic maypole in the centre of the town is a local treasure. Until 2021, it was the only surviving original maypole in Ireland. However, it was severely damaged by high winds in February of that year and had to be replaced. The original pole was dated back to 1700, when a Dutch ship is said to have run aground on the nearby shore, and its crew erected its broken mast as a sign of appreciation for the hospitality offered by the townsfolk. The nearby Maypole Bar is known locally as Ned's.
There is a Norman motte in the town which is believed to have been built on an earlier burial mound. The Holywood Motte is a relic from the Anglo-Norman period in Northern Ireland. Essentially, an artificially constructed earthen mound, it was typical of the motte-and-bailey castle design used by the Normans to establish control over newly acquired territories. Over the centuries, the motte has transformed from a military installation to a landscaped historical landmark with a serene, park-like atmosphere.
Another captivating landmark is the Holywood Priory. It began as a monastery founded by Saint Laiseran in the early 7th century, making it one of the area's earliest centres of Christian worship. Over time, the site evolved into a more substantial religious complex, becoming an Anglo-Norman Augustinian abbey in the late 12th to early 13th centuries. The ruins reveal a church with a seamless nave and chancel, and a west tower whose upper parts were later added in the 18th century. Parts of its masonry were crafted from distinctive Cultra Stone, a creamy white limestone locally quarried. Generations of local residents were laid to rest in the surrounding Holywood Priory Graveyard.
Local sports organisations include the Holywood Cricket Club, formed at Kinnegar in 1881, moved to Belfast Road in 1885, and to its current location at Seapark Road in 1996; Holywood F.C., an intermediate football club playing in the Northern Amateur Football League; St. Paul's Gaelic Football Club, founded in 1979; and the Holywood Golf Club, founded in 1904.
Holywood schools include Holywood Nursery School, Holywood Primary School, St. Patrick's Primary School, Holywood Rudolf Steiner School, Rockport School, Priory Integrated College, and Sullivan Upper School, which includes Sullivan Preparatory School.
Websites representing entities or programmes in Holywood are appropriate for this category.
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Recommended Resources
Art & Home is a popular art store and gallery in Holywood, Northern Ireland, just outside Belfast. It offers a wide range of top-branded artist supplies, including Winsor & Newton, Daniel Smith, Pan Pastel, Liquitex, Golden, Sennelier, Bob Ross, and Daler Rowney. Beyond art supplies, the store offers bespoke picture framing services and features an art gallery showcasing works by local Irish and international artists. Services and products are featured, including gallery items sorted by artist.
https://www.artandhomeweb.com/
Dedicated to promoting business, civic, and cultural interests in Holywood, Northern Ireland, the Chamber supports its members and collaborates with statutory and voluntary agencies to enhance the interests of its members and the local economy. The history and profile of the organisation are set forth on its website, along with membership data, a calendar of events, industry and local news, a member directory, email address, telephone number, and an online contact form.
https://www.holywoodchamber.com/
The clinic in Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland, offers a range of services, including private general practitioner (GP) appointments, minor surgery, joint injections, women's health, psychiatry, dementia diagnosis, chronic pain management, and others. Situated at The Spa at the Culloden Hotel, Cultra, its services and prices are stated on the website, along with an introduction to its team, consultancies, a blog, address, phone number, and an online contact form.
https://www.holywoodprivateclinic.com/
Lemongrass is a modern Asian fusion restaurant known for its creative twist on traditional Asian cuisines. Located on Shore Road in Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland, the restaurant offers a stylish dining atmosphere where diners can enjoy a diverse menu influenced by the flavors of Thailand, Malaysia, Korea, and Chinese cuisine. Reviews commend the restaurant for its vibrant presentation, quality ingredients, and excellent service. Its menus are published on the site.
https://www.lemongrassasian.com/
Stylized Roco&Coco, also known as RoCo, is an independent family-run fashion boutique located in Holywood, Northern Ireland. Established for around ten years, the shop offers high-quality clothing with a focus on garments made from natural fibers. The boutique on High Street offers personal shopping, hassle-free alterations, and even a touch of Prosecco to make the shopping experience truly special. Its product catalog is sorted into categories for clothing and accessories, as well as new items.
https://rocoandcoco.shop/
