|
Holywood
find holiday homes in Holywood
|
Holywood is a town on
the shores of Belfast Lough, between Belfast and Bangor in North
County Down. Although it is pronounced the same as Hollywood,
Holywood was so named by the Normans after the woodland surrounding
a monastery founded by St Laiseran before 640.
Holywood has some fine sandy beaches and a lovely coastal walk that
runs eastwards for 15 miles to Helen's Bay. The major visitor
attraction here is the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum which ranks
among the best museums in the country. The open air part of the
complex represents town and country life in Ulster around 1910,
complete with a farm using the methods and equipment of a bygone
age. The 30-odd buildings are all authentic, painstakingly removed
from their original sites throughout Ulster and re-erected here. The
indoor galleries demonstrate how food preparation, clothing, farming
and other everyday occupations and lifestyles have changed over the
years. The road and railway transport exhibits include `Old Maeve',
the largest locomotive ever built in Ireland; a unique collection of
vintage motor vehicles and bicycles, including one of the notorious
De Lorean sports cars; whilst another building houses the Titanic
Exhibition, a tribute to Belfast's shipbuilding heyday. The museum
is open all year round but opening times vary.
The town of Holywood is a welcoming gateway to North Down. Visitors
will be impressed by the variety of unique and specialist shops. A
cluster of historical and welcoming pubs is complemented by
award-winning restaurants, cafes, delicatessens and wine bars. Its
essentially Victorian character is well preserved with many of its
newer businesses such as public relations, design and media
consultancies operating in tastefully renovated old buildings.
Dominating the centre of the town is Ireland's only remaining
Maypole, which dates back to 1700. An annual May Day Fair is held
with market stalls, entertainment and traditional dances by local
children around the Maypole.The town also hosts a very popular
annual Jazz and Blues Festival.
In the early 19th century Holywood, like many other coastal villages
throughout Ireland, became popular as a resort for sea bathing. Many
wealthy Belfast merchants chose the town and its surrounding area to
build their large homes, including the Kennedys of Cultra and the
Harrisons of Holywood. Dalchoolin house stood on the site of the
present Ulster Transport Museum, while Cultra Manor was built in
1902-1904 and now houses part of the Ulster Folk and Transport
Museum.
Several wooded parks surround Holywood and offer spectacular
panoramic views of the City of Belfast and across the Lough to
Carrickfergus. Seapark in particular comprises bowling greens,
soccer pitches, tennis courts and a putting green. Sporting
facilities include Holywood Yacht Club and two Golf Clubs, while the
Queen's Hall acts as a venue for concerts and community events. |
Home
Holywood Holiday Homes - County Down, Ireland