Gazetteer of
British Place Names

Holywood is a seaside town, lying on the Belfast Lough in County Down. It is within the townlands of Holywood and Ballymenagh, in the civil parish of Holywood. A monastery was founded here by St Laiseran in 640, re-founded as an Augustinian abbey in the late 12th century and dissolved in 1541. Sir James Hamilton laid out the town around the ruined priory in the early 17th century. He rebuilt the priory church, it becoming the Church of Ireland church until 1844. Holywood is known for its maypole at the crossroads in the centre of town. In the early 19th century, Holywood became popular as a resort for sea-bathing. Many wealthy Belfast merchants chose the town and the surrounding area to build large homes. The arrival of the railway in 1848 spurred the town's growth as a resort. The First Holywood Presbyterian Church dates from 1841, though the congregation dates back to the earliest days of the town. The First Holywood (Non-Subscribing) Presbyterian Church dates from 1849. St Colmcille's Church (RC) is a circular church, built in 1995 on the site of a French Gothic church from 1889, which burned down leaving only the bell tower and spire. St Philips and St James Church (C of I), consecrated in 1844, was designed by Sir Charles Lanyon. The town is within the council area of Ards and North Down.

Place Type: Town
Historic County: Down
Lat, Long: 54.642151,-5.834196
Grid Reference: J 3987 7926
Townland: Holywood TD
Civil Parish: Holywood CP
Council Area: Ards and North Down CA
Police Area: Northern Ireland PA
Devolved Legislature:  Northern Ireland Assembly

GBPN ID: 321892
Entry Type: Main listing (P)
URL: https://gazetteer.org.uk/place/Holywood,_Down_321892

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