Holywood Town Belfast - Places to Visit in Northern Ireland
Cities and towns, these are the two different places that tourists get attracted to when it comes to visiting a new country for the first time and trying to explore as much of it as possible, or even for the local people who want to get to know more about their own personal country.
Holywood town is part of Northern Ireland, it is located in the metropolitan area of Belfast city in county Down. This town in Northern Ireland is a civil parish and townland of 755 acres, lying on the shore of Belfast Lough, between Belfast and Bangor.
Going back into the history of this old city, one will get to ask about the name which lots of people now pronounce in the same way as Hollywood is pronounced. Back in the old days, the name Holywood was rather Sanctus Boscus, which means Holy Wood, and it was given to this place by the Normans after the woodland surrounding the monastery founded by St. Laseran before 640.
There are different interesting things that might be held in this town, such as the jazz and blues festival which is held there. There are other things that distinguish this town as well, such as the distinctive building known as the Old Priory. Even though this might sometimes be mistaken for the famous Hollywood in the United States of America, it is also considered one of the most visited towns in county Down for the fashion boutiques that it has, the delis and the galleries.
Holywood is also one of Northern Ireland's famous towns and places because it boasts Ireland's only surviving Maypole dating back to 1700 when a Dutch ship ran aground offshore and as a show of gratitude, they erected their broken mast.
We have already mentioned that the jazz and blues festival is held in Holywood, but there is also the annual May Day Celebrations which are considered the main focus when it comes to this town, and this is actually one of the big events in Ards and North Down calendar, when the school children dance around the maypole alongside market stalls and family attractions.
Holywood town stands as one of the beautiful places with a history carried behind which tourists and locals could visit and check what it has to offer - at least we have already mentioned some of the reasons why we believe this is considered a good place to travel to - but there are still other towns that could be visited in county Down as well, such as the Village of Saintfield ( Donaghadee which is 18 miles away from Belfast ( Crawfordsburn ( and Portaferry (
When it comes to the different attractions in county Down, Northern Ireland, there are different things which we should refer to as well in addition to these towns which we have mentioned, such as checking the Whiterocks Beach in Portrush ( Dundrum Castle ( Ballywalter Beach ( Down County Museum ( Tollymore Forest ( and lots of other things to dig deep behind and discover if you got the chance to be in county Down.
Being a place that is not far away from Belfast city, it is also considered a great suggestion for those touring the city to consider making a different kind of plan and add this destination to their list, they will end up visiting another part of Northern Ireland which they might have never thought about visiting before. The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in County Down at Cultra, is another touristic attraction that is just next to Holywood which visitors and travelers could also check (
Have you ever been to Holywood in Northern Ireland before? Have you ever realized that there is another Holywood than the one you are used to hear about when it comes to the United States of America? Have you ever been there or ever planned a trip to this beautiful town in county Down? At least now you could make a proper plan and enjoy yourself there.
Holywood in county Down, Northern Ireland, might not be the biggest town to visit or the one with the most attractions, but it is definitely one of the towns close to Belfast that could still offer history along with some attractions that people could enjoy visiting and bring back stories from to their homes and families.
So, are you now planning to visit Holywood and see what this small town getting mixed up with the big US Hollywood actually looks like? Plan your visit as a local or a tourist and let us know your feedback and hear about the stories you will have there in this small town.
Enjoy watching the video about Holywood!
The best locations around Ireland / Northern Ireland and further afield. A travel blog/vlog of the hidden treasures that are on our doorstep.
The Holywood Song
#HelloHolywood
Historic Holywood Library Co Down
I'm just a few miles from home over in Holywood Co Down. I'm on High Street which runs through the centre of town.
This is the historic and quirky building that now houses Hollywood library.
northdowntourism.com
At the Maypole turn left along High Street passing the fine building of the Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church on your right. The building from 1849, also by Charles Lanyon, with its fine Doric columns is built in the style of Andrea Palladio (Palladianism) who was arguably the most influential architect of the Italian Renaissance. Almost directly opposite is High Street
Presbyterian Church (1858). Approximately 50m past the
Presbyterian Church is Holywood Library.
Holywood Library
Holywood Library, a listed building, was founded as primary and secondary schools in the 1860’s. Formerly known as the Sullivan Schools, it was where the renowned 20th century naturalist and
historian Robert Lloyd Praeger and his sister Sophia Rosamond Praeger began their education. Outside the library you can see three sculptures entitled the “Pillars of Holywood” by Tim Shutter, who has worked with Anthony Gormley on a commission for the British Library. The sculptures, which were commissioned
by Holywood Arts Trust and received funding through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland Lottery through the Public ArtProgramme, depict the legacy of the town’s 1,400-year history from the 7th century church, to the invasion of
the Anglo-Normans in the 12th century and the domicile of the wealthy Belfast industrialists of the 19th century.
The Praeger Family
Egmont Apjohn Praeger was born on 14 May 1872 in Holywood son of Willem Emilius Praeger and Maria Praeger (nee Patterson) married on 13 November 1862 in First Presbyterian Ch, Rosemary St, Belfast.
Willem Emilius Praeger was born on 1 February 1835 in The Hague, Holland where his parents operated a linen business. Willem moved to Ireland and worked for the firm of Preston, Smyth & Co (linen manufacturers and merchants) in Belfast.
Willem and Maria Praeger lived in The Cres, Holywood. In 1868 the Praeger family moved to Woodburn House, Croft Road in the townland of Ballymenoch, Holywood. ( Ulster History Circle plaque commemorating Rosamund Praeger, Sculptor, (1867 – 1954) and Lloyd Praeger, Naturalist & Historian, (1865 – 1953). )
Next door lived Maria Praeger’s brother Sir Robert Lloyd Patterson JP.
Willem and Maria Praeger had six children:
William Emilius (born in 1863 and became Professor of Biology at Kalamazoo College in Michigan USA)
Robert Lloyd (born in 1865 and became a naturalist and historian)
Sophia Rosamond (born 15 April 1867 and became a sculptor.
Hendrich John (Harry, born 22 January 1869 and moved to the USA)
Egmont Apjohn (born 14 May 1872)
Owen Maurice (born 26 May 1874 and became a doctor; died in 1905 aged 31)
When Willem Praeger died on 25 April 1881 (aged 46) the Praeger family moved to the townland of Ballycultra.
Maria Praeger died on 8 June 1930 (aged 90).
Egmont Apjohn Praeger attended Mr McAlester’s School at Woodburn, Holywood from 1885 to 1886 (Charles McAlester was the local Unitarian Minister).
During the Great War Egmont Praeger served in the Royal Navy.
He died of a heart attack in London in 1919.
Culture Night Holywood (Northern Ireland Not Hollywood!)
Eleanor Campbell
LIVE on #Periscope: Culture night Holywood (Northern Ireland not Hollywood!)
Costermongers Happy Harvest Maypole Dance
The Pearly Kings & Queens of London dance the Maypole to Pharell's Happy with the Mayor's of the London Borough's and the High Sheriff of London at the Costermongers Harvest Festival - Guildhall Square - City of London 25/09/16
Maypole Bar Holywood Thomascow
COVER SONG,Enjoy my fav old bar in Holywood to the tune of Aura Lee
my chord layout on this old song'
Aura Lee
PICS from google images, my own guitar instrumental & backing-track ,everything is recorded at home
FMaj7 D7b9 Gm7 C13 FMaj7 D7b9
G9 F#9#11 F Dm7 G7
Gm7 C7 F F Dm7
G7 Gm7 C7 F
F F+ BbMaj7 Bbm6
F F D7 G7
Gm7 C7 F
CHEERS , Auld Lang Syne, New World Anthem
Go Deeper with the Maypole
Immerse yourself in an intense energy shower, in this meditation by Dr Srikanth Sola. Experience the powerful flow of 'darshan (inner vision)', 'sthirtha (stillness)' and 'God's Sankalpa (Will)' as Dr Sola takes you through the Maypole.
Holywood, Dercongal or Sacro Nemore Abbey, Dumfries
The old abbey of Dercongal or Holywood near the 12 Apostles stone circel, Dumfries. Lincluden Collegiate Church stood nearby in Dumfries.
Maypole Dance in British Cultural Garden in Cleveland
The Murphy Irish Dancers performed a traditional Maypole Dance at the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the British Garden in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens.
DRIVE FROM BELFAST TO HOLYWOOD VIDEO 2 OF 2
THIS IS THE LAST VIDEO OF US DRIVING FROM BELFAST CITY CENTRE TO HOLYWOOD IN NORTHERN IRELAND Co DOWN. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED SEEING THIS COMPLETE JOURNEY..
I WILL TRY AND DO ONE OF ME DRIVING FROM BELFAST TO DOWNPATRICK, PLEASE COMMENT..
IF YOU LIKED THIS VIDEO PLEASE CUSCRIBE
Martello Tower or Windmill Stump at Holywood Co Down?
I'm a few miles from home over in old Holywood in the recently designated Holywood Conservation Area.
Just past Brook Street off Holywood's Victoria Road and in to the left stands this strange ancient neglected tower. On Google Maps it is labelled, The Martello Tower but is it a genuine Martello Tower? The superb terrace of nearby grand houses is called Martello Terrace. So is it a Martello Tower or not?
Whatever it is tower or stump it is surely sad to see that it has been allowed to fall into this totally sorry state. Is it not part of olde Holywood history?
I found a pictorial and written record about this old windmill stump in 'From cradle to grave, the buildings that share our lives'.
Launch of Harmony Music Festival in Holywood, Co Down
Belfast's 'Godfather of Punk' Terri Hooley literally stopped the traffic in Holywood, Co Down, on Wednesday - dressed as a Beatle.
Terri joined local DUP MLA Gordon Dunne, Belfast Giant Jonathan Boxill and Kenneth Webb, MD of Ulster Weavers - who were also dressed as members of the iconic band - at the launch of the second Harmony Music Festival which is being staged in the town in June.
Our own version of the 'Fab Four' stopped traffic momentarily as they recreated the famous Beatles photograph of them using the crossing outside the Abbey Road studios in London.
And why? Well The Bootleg Beatles, widely regarded as the world's finest tribute act to the Liverpudlian greats, are headlining the Saturday night.
The opening night, Friday June 3, will celebrate the late David Bowie as his premier tribute band ‘Rebel Rebel’ will perform at the festival marquee at Holywood Rugby Club, whilst the finale evening on the Sunday will offer a ‘two for one’ showcase with Desperado and Celtic Soul, paying homage to The Eagles and Van Morrison.
The Culloden Estate and Spa will also host ‘The Swingfellas’ (songs from The Rat Pack) on Sunday 5th June.
Director and creator of Holywood Harmony Festival, Mari Jackson, said: Last
year’s festival attracted over 15,000 people from all over Northern Ireland and this year, with such a strong festival line-up, I am confident that even more people will support the event. Various pubs, clubs and eateries are all involved in the festival too, with a variety of acts performing throughout the weekend and it’s great for the entire Holywood community and economy.
Mari has also composed a song ‘The Holywood Song’ which she has recorded and is lead vocalist. The CD, which is sponsored by Garry’s Barber Shop, has already received critical acclaim on local radio stations and is available from Garry’s Barbers and various local outlets, priced £3.00. All proceeds from its sale are going to the festival funds.
The Festival’s nominated charity this year is the NSPCC.
Tickets are available from ticketmaster.ie (under name of act) and Garry’s Barber Shop, High St, Holywood - 028 9042 5262.
3 Colours Red : This Is My Hollywood : AUDIO Punk Vinyl
***Over 6000 Punk/Punk related tunes on this Youtube channel***
Diane, Jackson & Merle , Weaver, Blacksmith & Spinner. Holywood, Northern Ireland.
In the summer of 2010, Nick Hand set off to Ireland to complete his journey around coast of the British Isles. The people he talked to along the way included artists, craftspeople and makers.
Maypole Dance at London May Fayre
Maypole Dance performed by Donna Maria dance group at May Fayre in Covent Garden London 9 May 3010
Merry May Day 2017 in Holywood, Northern Ireland
Merry May Day 2017 in Holywood, Northern Ireland
Incidents over the last few days M42, A435 and Maypole Roundabout
Ancient Path Victoria Road Holywood Co Down
I'm a few miles from home over in old Holywood and I'm in the recently designated Holywood Conservation Area.
To find the upper entrance to this hidden pathway walk up along Holywood's Victoria Road for approx. 250 m, Pass Brook street on the right continue on and 50 m further, in a corner in to the left beside no 65 Victoria road is the upper gateway to an ancient pathway leading down on to the old Bangor Road. I do not know the name of this pathway but some residents have given it their own name of the scary path. i canfind no online reference to this old pathway either. The pathway meanders downward for a distane of at least 300m. Some would claim that this ancient hidden pathway has been there from the early 1800s.
What is a Maypole?
Maypoles are a tradition from European folk festivals. But for our purposes, a maypole is a ~20ft tall pole supporting 10 hops plants.
IRA Bomb Palace Barracks
A Catholic family terrorized by an Irish Republican Terrorist Gang .
A Catholic Father made to drive a bomb by an Irish Republican Terrorist Gang .
Irish Republican Terrorists + Islamic Terrorists = Death & Misery.
Let the British , Northern Irish Protestants & Catholics of Northern Ireland live in peace.