Holywood
Encyclopedia
Holywood is a town in County Down
, Northern Ireland
. It lies on the shore of Belfast Lough
, between Belfast
and Bangor
. Holywood Exchange
and Belfast City Airport are nearby. The town hosts an annual jazz
and blues
festival.
gave to the woodland surrounding the monastery
of St Laiseran, son of Nasca. The monastery was founded by Laiseran before 640 and was on the site of the present Holywood Priory
. The earliest Anglicized form appears as Haliwode in a 14th century document. Today, the name is pronounced the same as Hollywood.
The Irish
name for Holywood is Ard Mhic Nasca meaning "high ground of Mac Nasca".
ports began to rise in prominence. In 1625 William Pitt was appointed as Customer of the ports of Newcastle
, Dundrum
, Killough
, Portaferry
, Donaghadee
, Bangor
and Holywood.
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 the surrounding area to build large homes for themselves. These included 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
.
The railway line from Belfast to Holywood opened in 1848 and this led to rapid development. The population of Holywood was approximately 3,500 in 1900 and had grown to 12,000 by 2001. This growth, coupled with the growth of other towns and villages along the coastal strip to Bangor, necessitated the construction of the Holywood Bypass in the early 1970s. Holywood today is a popular residential area
and is well known for its fashionable shops, boutiques, arts and crafts.
The Old Priory ruins lie at the bottom of the High Street. The tower dates from 1800, but the oldest ruins date from the early 13th century. The Priory graveyard
is the resting place for many distinguished citizens including the educational reformer, Dr Robert Sullivan, and the Praeger family. Robert Lloyd Praeger
(1865–1953) was an internationally renowned botanist and his sister, Rosamund Praeger
(1867–1954) gained fame as a sculptor
and writer. "Johnny the Jig", one of her sculptures, is situated in the town. Praeger House at Sullivan Upper Grammar School
is named after the family. Bishop
Robert Bent Knox
is also buried there.
On 17 June 1994, Garnet Bell, a former pupil bearing a grudge, entered an assembly hall at Sullivan Upper School
and used a flamethrower to attack students taking A-level
examinations. Six pupils were injured; three of them seriously.
On 12 April 2010 at around 12:24am, it was the site of a car bombing near Northern Ireland
's MI5
headquarters. An elderly man was blown off his feet and treated in hospital. The bomb was allegedly driven towards the base in a hijacked taxi. The Real IRA claimed responsibility for the attacks.
centre of Holywood
(BCDR) line from Belfast
to Holywood, along with Holywood railway station
, opened on 2 August 1848. The line was extended to Bangor
by the Belfast, Holywood and Bangor Railway (BHBR), opening on 1 May 1865, and acquired by the BCDR in 1884. Holywood station was closed for goods traffic on 24 April 1950.
is based in Holywood.
is amalgamated with the Holywood R.F.C. Cricket may have been played in Holywood as early as 1860 but the present club, as we know it, was formed as a result of a meeting held on Monday, 28 March 1881. In the first season games against Ballynahinch, Enfield, Lurgan, North Down and Sydenham followed the opening game against Wellington, when the team was captained by Joe Ross.
The club's first home was at Kinnegar where the club President and Benefactor for many years gave use of part of his land to the club free of charge. The members worked hard to turn the area into a cricket ground and by 1883 had secured sufficient money to erect a new pavilion.
North Down Borough Council has provided HCC with a new home at Seapark. "Seapark Oval" was finally ready during the 2005 season, after 8 years of using the pitch at Sullivan School.
The club had been forced off the Belfast Road grounds it occupied for 100+ years due to the GAA upgrading the pitch it leases from the Down and Connor Roman Catholic diocese. This meant that with the playing surfaces of the two sports pitches being at different levels, cricket could no longer be played at this venue unless the ground was raised to the same level as the GAA pitch.
The cricket club now share the Seapark grounds with a bowling club and Holywood Football Club
, the latter hoping to secure new grounds at Spafield in the near future. There are also plans for a new club house at the Seapark grounds.
learned his golf, and the champion still calls it his home course.
club in Holywood was organised in 1927. It was called St Colmcille's. The team's strip was made up of black shorts and black shirts with white collars. This early club team also sponsored a handball team and a drama club. Although successful in the early days, the club lasted only ten years. It was revived in 1948 under the title of Holywood's Patron Saint, St. Laiseran, by John Regan, Davy McCoy and Paddy McNally, and lasted until it withdrew from the League in 1956.
The next milestone in the story is the foundation of the St. Paul's Gaelic Football Club in 1979: an amalgamation of the Holywood, Bangor and Newtownards clubs. It operated under a deal with Holywood Cricket Club
which maintained the Gaelic pitch in return for using a small section of the lower pitch as part of its 'out-field'.
was formed in 1983 following the amalgamation of two Northern Amateur League teams, Loughview Star (1961–83) and Holywood Town (1972–83). These two clubs had not been very successful, though Loughview had caused a sensation when they reached the Clarence Cup final while still a Second Division club, losing 2-0 to Lisburn Rangers in 1964–65
Loughview won Division 2B in 1981–82 and after the amalgamation, the new club finished runners up in 2b in 1992–93, but were soon relegated again. The club's biggest day came when they won the IFA Junior Cup final in 1989–90, beating their town rivals Holywood Rec. in the decider.
The club has enjoyed even more success in recent years, by winning the 2a title and the Cochrane & Corry Cup in the 1999–2000 season. As a result the club were promoted for the first time in their history to intermediate
status in Division 1B.
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. It lies on the shore of Belfast Lough
Belfast Lough
Belfast Lough is a large, natural intertidal sea lough at the mouth of the River Lagan on the east coast of Northern Ireland. The inner part of the lough comprises a series of mudflats and lagoons. The outer lough is restricted to mainly rocky shores with some small sandy bays...
, between Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
and Bangor
Bangor, County Down
Bangor is a large town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is a seaside resort on the southern side of Belfast Lough and within the Belfast Metropolitan Area. Bangor Marina is one of the largest in Ireland, and holds Blue Flag status...
. Holywood Exchange
Holywood Exchange
Holywood Exchange is a major retail development on the borders of Belfast and Holywood, Northern Ireland. It is beside Belfast City Airport, in the townland of Knocknagoney. The site was previously known as D5 and Harbour Exchange...
and Belfast City Airport are nearby. The town hosts an annual jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
and blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
festival.
Name
The English name Holywood comes . This was the name the NormansNormans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
gave to the woodland surrounding the monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
of St Laiseran, son of Nasca. The monastery was founded by Laiseran before 640 and was on the site of the present Holywood Priory
Holywood Priory
A monastery was founded by St Laiseran before 640 on the site of the present ruins of the medieval Old Priory at the junction of High Street, Victoria Road and the Old Bangor Road in Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland.- History :...
. The earliest Anglicized form appears as Haliwode in a 14th century document. Today, the name is pronounced the same as Hollywood.
The Irish
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
name for Holywood is Ard Mhic Nasca meaning "high ground of Mac Nasca".
History
In the 17th century UlsterUlster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
ports began to rise in prominence. In 1625 William Pitt was appointed as Customer of the ports of Newcastle
Newcastle, County Down
Newcastle is a small town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 7,444 people recorded in the 2001 Census. The seaside resort lies on the Irish Sea coast at the base of Slieve Donard, one of the Mourne Mountains, and is known for its sandy beach and the Royal County Down Golf Club...
, Dundrum
Dundrum, County Down
Dundrum is a village and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is beside Dundrum Bay, about 4 miles outside Newcastle on the A2 road. The town is best known for its ruined Norman castle. It had a population of 1,065 people in the 2001 Census....
, Killough
Killough
Killough is a village and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies on the Irish Sea shore near Ardglass, five miles southeast of Downpatrick. It is notable for its sycamore-lined main street. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 845 people....
, Portaferry
Portaferry
Portaferry is a small town in County Down, Northern Ireland, at the southern end of the Ards Peninsula, near the Narrows at the entrance to Strangford Lough. It had a population of 2,467 people in the 2001 Census. It has an aquarium and is well-known for the annual Galway Hookers Regatta. It hosts...
, Donaghadee
Donaghadee
Donaghadee is a small town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies on the northeast coast of the Ards Peninsula, about east of Belfast and about six miles south east of Bangor. It had a population of 6,470 people in the 2001 Census...
, Bangor
Bangor, County Down
Bangor is a large town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is a seaside resort on the southern side of Belfast Lough and within the Belfast Metropolitan Area. Bangor Marina is one of the largest in Ireland, and holds Blue Flag status...
and Holywood.
In the early 19th century Holywood, like many other coastal villages throughout Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, became popular as a resort
Seaside resort
A seaside resort is a resort, or resort town, located on the coast. Where a beach is the primary focus for tourists, it may be called a beach resort.- Overview :...
for sea-bathing
Bathing
Bathing is the washing or cleansing of the body in a fluid, usually water or an aqueous solution. It may be practised for personal hygiene, religious ritual or therapeutic purposes or as a recreational activity....
. Many wealthy Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
merchants chose the town and the surrounding area to build large homes for themselves. These included the Kennedys of Cultra
Cultra
Cultra is a residential suburban area adjacent to Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland, part of Greater Belfast. It is also the name of an electoral ward of North Down Borough Council. It is comfortably one of Northern Ireland's most affluent areas...
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
Ulster Folk and Transport Museum
The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum is situated in Cultra, Northern Ireland, about east of the city of Belfast. It comprises two separate museums, the Folk Museum and the Transport Museum...
.
The railway line from Belfast to Holywood opened in 1848 and this led to rapid development. The population of Holywood was approximately 3,500 in 1900 and had grown to 12,000 by 2001. This growth, coupled with the growth of other towns and villages along the coastal strip to Bangor, necessitated the construction of the Holywood Bypass in the early 1970s. Holywood today is a popular residential area
Residential area
A residential area is a land use in which housing predominates, as opposed to industrial and commercial areas.Housing may vary significantly between, and through, residential areas. These include single family housing, multi-family residential, or mobile homes. Zoning for residential use may permit...
and is well known for its fashionable shops, boutiques, arts and crafts.
The Old Priory ruins lie at the bottom of the High Street. The tower dates from 1800, but the oldest ruins date from the early 13th century. The Priory graveyard
Graveyard
A graveyard is any place set aside for long-term burial of the dead, with or without monuments such as headstones...
is the resting place for many distinguished citizens including the educational reformer, Dr Robert Sullivan, and the Praeger family. Robert Lloyd Praeger
Robert Lloyd Praeger
-Life:Of a Unitarian background, he was born in Holywood, County Down, and grew up in that town where he was educated, first in the school of the Rev McAlister and then at nearby Sullivan Upper School. He worked in the National Library of Ireland in Dublin from 1893 to 1923. He co-founded and...
(1865–1953) was an internationally renowned botanist and his sister, Rosamund Praeger
Rosamund Praeger
Sophia Rosamond Praeger, MBE, HRHA, MA was an Irish artist, sculptor and writer.Born in Holywood, County Down, Ireland, she was educated at Sullivan Upper School, the Belfast School of Art and the Slade School of Art in London. She was the younger sister of the naturalist Robert Lloyd Praeger.She...
(1867–1954) gained fame as a sculptor
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
and writer. "Johnny the Jig", one of her sculptures, is situated in the town. Praeger House at Sullivan Upper Grammar School
Sullivan Upper School
Sullivan Upper AddressBelfast RoadHolywoodBT18 9EP Phone 9042 8780 from abroadFax 9042 7644HeadteacherMr C J W Peel, M.A., B.Sc., Dip.A.S.Ed.Vice Principals*Mr. I. Ballantine, B.Sc., M.Ed., P.G.C.E....
is named after the family. Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
Robert Bent Knox
Robert Bent Knox
Robert Bent Knox DD LLD was the Church of Ireland Bishop of Down, Connor and Dromore from 1849 to 1886, and then Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland from 1886 until his death.-Early life:...
is also buried there.
On 17 June 1994, Garnet Bell, a former pupil bearing a grudge, entered an assembly hall at Sullivan Upper School
Sullivan Upper School
Sullivan Upper AddressBelfast RoadHolywoodBT18 9EP Phone 9042 8780 from abroadFax 9042 7644HeadteacherMr C J W Peel, M.A., B.Sc., Dip.A.S.Ed.Vice Principals*Mr. I. Ballantine, B.Sc., M.Ed., P.G.C.E....
and used a flamethrower to attack students taking A-level
GCE Advanced Level
The Advanced Level General Certificate of Education, commonly referred to as an A-level, is a qualification offered by education institutions in England, Northern Ireland, Wales, Cameroon, and the Cayman Islands...
examinations. Six pupils were injured; three of them seriously.
On 12 April 2010 at around 12:24am, it was the site of a car bombing near Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
's MI5
MI5
The Security Service, commonly known as MI5 , is the United Kingdom's internal counter-intelligence and security agency and is part of its core intelligence machinery alongside the Secret Intelligence Service focused on foreign threats, Government Communications Headquarters and the Defence...
headquarters. An elderly man was blown off his feet and treated in hospital. The bomb was allegedly driven towards the base in a hijacked taxi. The Real IRA claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Demographics
Holywood Urban Area is a medium town within the Belfast Metropolitan Urban Area (BMUA) as classified by the (i.e. with population between 10,000 and 18,000 people). On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 12,037 people living in Holywood. Of these:- 19.9% were aged under 16 years and 20.6% were aged 60 and over
- 50.6% of the population were male and 49.4% were female
- 23.0% were from a CatholicCatholicThe word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
background and 68.6% were from a ProtestantProtestantismProtestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
background - 3.0% of people aged 16–74 were unemployed.
Places of interest
- Holywood is famous for its maypoleMaypoleA maypole is a tall wooden pole erected as a part of various European folk festivals, particularly on May Day, or Pentecost although in some countries it is instead erected at Midsummer...
at the crossroads in the centre of town. Its origin is uncertain, but according to local folklore it dates from 1700, when a DutchNetherlandsThe Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
ship is said to have run aground on the shoreShoreA shore or shoreline is the fringe of land at the edge of a large body of water, such as an ocean, sea, or lake. In Physical Oceanography a shore is the wider fringe that is geologically modified by the action of the body of water past and present, while the beach is at the edge of the shore,...
nearby, and the crew erected the broken mastMast (sailing)The mast of a sailing vessel is a tall, vertical, or near vertical, spar, or arrangement of spars, which supports the sails. Large ships have several masts, with the size and configuration depending on the style of ship...
to show their appreciation of the assistance offered to them by the townsfolk. The maypole is still used for dancing at the annual May DayMay DayMay Day on May 1 is an ancient northern hemisphere spring festival and usually a public holiday; it is also a traditional spring holiday in many cultures....
fair. - Nearly as famous, is the adjacent Maypole Bar, locally known as Ned's or Carty's. It was first licensed in 1857, and remarkably, from then until 2006, it has had only 3 proprietors. County DonegalCounty DonegalCounty Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
native, Ned Carty, bought it from Mick O'Kane in the late 1960s. It had been owned by O'Kane since 1908. It is now run by Ned's son, Brian Carty. - There is a NormanNorman architectureAbout|Romanesque architecture, primarily English|other buildings in Normandy|Architecture of Normandy.File:Durham Cathedral. Nave by James Valentine c.1890.jpg|thumb|200px|The nave of Durham Cathedral demonstrates the characteristic round arched style, though use of shallow pointed arches above the...
motte in the town which may have been constructed on an earlier burial mound. - The Ulster Folk and Transport MuseumUlster Folk and Transport MuseumThe Ulster Folk and Transport Museum is situated in Cultra, Northern Ireland, about east of the city of Belfast. It comprises two separate museums, the Folk Museum and the Transport Museum...
illustrating the way of life and traditions of the people of UlsterUlsterUlster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
is nearby, at CultraCultraCultra is a residential suburban area adjacent to Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland, part of Greater Belfast. It is also the name of an electoral ward of North Down Borough Council. It is comfortably one of Northern Ireland's most affluent areas...
. - A famous Indian restaurant called the Bokhara situates in Holywood, and came runner up in the British Curry Awards 2010.
Holywood people
- Rory McIlroyRory McIlroyRory McIlroy is a Northern Irish professional golfer from Holywood in County Down. He has represented Europe, Great Britain & Ireland, and Ireland as both an amateur and a professional. He had a successful amateur career, topping the World Amateur Golf Ranking for one week as a 17-year-old in 2007...
, professional golfGolfGolf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
er: in 2007 he became the youngest player ever to earn his card on the European Tour, and winner of the 2011 U.S. Open (golf)U.S. Open (golf)The United States Open Championship, commonly known as the U.S. Open, is the annual open golf tournament of the United States. It is the second of the four major championships in golf, and is on the official schedule of both the PGA Tour and the European Tour...
at Congressional Country ClubCongressional Country ClubThe Congressional Country Club is a country club and golf course in Bethesda, Maryland, USA. Congressional opened in 1924 and has hosted three U.S. Opens and a PGA Championship, and is an annual stop on the PGA Tour, with the AT&T National, hosted by Tiger Woods. The tournament was first...
in Bethesda, MarylandBethesda, MarylandBethesda is a census designated place in southern Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, just northwest of Washington, D.C. It takes its name from a local church, the Bethesda Meeting House , which in turn took its name from Jerusalem's Pool of Bethesda...
(United States).
- Bap KennedyBap KennedyMartin "Bap" Kennedy is a singer-songwriter from Belfast, Northern Ireland and older brother of singer Brian Kennedy. He is noted for writing the song "Moonlight Kiss" which was on the soundtrack for the film Serendipity .Kennedy was in a successful band, Energy Orchard for many years and has...
, renowned singer/songwriter and record producer
- Garth EnnisGarth EnnisGarth Ennis is a Northern Irish comics writer, best known for the Vertigo series Preacher with artist Steve Dillon and his successful nine-year run on Marvel Comics' Punisher franchise...
, comic writer (born 16 January 1970)
- Maurice JayMaurice JayMaurice Jay is a radio and television personality in Northern Ireland. He is currently the Programme Controller for a Belfast radio station that is part of the UTV Media group. Jay played lead roles in over 100 UK-wide performances of West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein...
, U105U105U105 is a Belfast based radio station, providing a mix of music and speech as well as hourly news bulletins. It is owned by UTV Radio and was launched at 6am on Monday 14 November 2005....
presenter
- Jerry Lang, U105U105U105 is a Belfast based radio station, providing a mix of music and speech as well as hourly news bulletins. It is owned by UTV Radio and was launched at 6am on Monday 14 November 2005....
presenter
- Tom KerrTom KerrTom Kerr is a British comic strip artist whose work has appeared in comics such as Look-in, the Eagle, Valiant, TV21 etc.He has also drawn for many annuals of the 60s and 70s including the Monkees Annuals, Look-In annuals etc....
, comic strip artist
- TV news anchorman Dermot MurnaghanDermot MurnaghanDermot Murnaghan is a British journalist and television presenter.He is well known for his work as a presenter of ITV and BBC News as well as the shows Eggheads and Treasure Hunt . He co-presented BBC Breakfast from Monday to Thursday as well as regularly fronting national BBC news bulletins...
is a former resident of Holywood. Although he was born in DevonDevonDevon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
and spent some of his early years in YorkshireYorkshireYorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
, his family later moved to Holywood where he lived just off Church View. He attended Sullivan Upper SchoolSullivan Upper SchoolSullivan Upper AddressBelfast RoadHolywoodBT18 9EP Phone 9042 8780 from abroadFax 9042 7644HeadteacherMr C J W Peel, M.A., B.Sc., Dip.A.S.Ed.Vice Principals*Mr. I. Ballantine, B.Sc., M.Ed., P.G.C.E....
.
- The former BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
security correspondent Brian Rowan was born and raised in Holywood.
- Mick Fealty, political analyst and editor of Slugger O'TooleSlugger O'TooleSlugger O'Toole is a weblog started in June 2002 by political analyst Mick Fealty. It began life as Letter to Slugger O'Toole, focused primarily on news and comment about Northern Ireland...
was born in Belfast but raised in Holywood
- Davy SimsDavy SimsDavid Gerard Sims is a broadcaster, writer and communications consultant from Northern Ireland. He lives in Holywood, County Down was educated St. Patrick's College, Knock....
broadcaster and writer, former head of BBC Northern Ireland New Media was born and raised in Holywood
- Alban McGuinness, lawyer and Social Democratic and Labour PartySocial Democratic and Labour PartyThe Social Democratic and Labour Party is a social-democratic, Irish nationalist political party in Northern Ireland. Its basic party platform advocates Irish reunification, and the further devolution of powers while Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom...
(SDLP) politician was born in Holywood
- Rosamund PraegerRosamund PraegerSophia Rosamond Praeger, MBE, HRHA, MA was an Irish artist, sculptor and writer.Born in Holywood, County Down, Ireland, she was educated at Sullivan Upper School, the Belfast School of Art and the Slade School of Art in London. She was the younger sister of the naturalist Robert Lloyd Praeger.She...
, artist, sculptor and writer; younger sister of the naturalist Robert Lloyd PraegerRobert Lloyd Praeger-Life:Of a Unitarian background, he was born in Holywood, County Down, and grew up in that town where he was educated, first in the school of the Rev McAlister and then at nearby Sullivan Upper School. He worked in the National Library of Ireland in Dublin from 1893 to 1923. He co-founded and...
- Dr. John St. Clair BoydJohn St. Clair BoydDr. John St. Clair Boyd was an Irish gynaecologist, surgeon and first president of the Belfast Gaelic League.-Life:Boyd, a member of the Church of Ireland, was born in Holywood, County Down and studied medicine at Queen's College, Belfast...
was born here.
- Professional rugbyRugby footballRugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
player Darren CaveDarren CaveDarren Cave is a professional rugby union player who currently plays for Ulster Rugby in the RaboDirect Pro12. Cave attended Sullivan Upper School. His club is Belfast Harlequins who play in AIB League Division 2.Cave plays as a centre, in which position he was selected for the Ireland squad which...
playing for Ulster Rugby and helped Ireland U20 lift the 6 nations Grand Slam in 2007
- Dr. Robert Sullivan, educational reformer and founding benefactor of Sullivan Upper SchoolSullivan Upper SchoolSullivan Upper AddressBelfast RoadHolywoodBT18 9EP Phone 9042 8780 from abroadFax 9042 7644HeadteacherMr C J W Peel, M.A., B.Sc., Dip.A.S.Ed.Vice Principals*Mr. I. Ballantine, B.Sc., M.Ed., P.G.C.E....
- Sir Charles BrettCharles BrettSir Charles Edward Bainbridge Brett CBE . Born in Holywood, County Down, was a Northern Irish solicitor, journalist, author and founding member, and first chairman, of the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society...
, architectural historian, born in Holywood
- Bulmer HobsonBulmer HobsonJohn Bulmer Hobson was a leading member of the Irish Volunteers and the Irish Republican Brotherhood before the Easter Rising in 1916...
, Irish nationalist activist and politician
- Henry Harrison MPHenry Harrison (MP)Captain Henry Harrison was an Irish politician and MP. in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and as member of the Irish Parliamentary Party represented Mid Tipperary from 1890 to 1892...
, secretary to Charles Stewart ParnellCharles Stewart ParnellCharles Stewart Parnell was an Irish landowner, nationalist political leader, land reform agitator, and the founder and leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party...
, is buried in the Priory graveyard in the
centre of Holywood
- Michael Smiley, comedian, writer and actor was born and raised in Holywood.
- Margaret MountfordMargaret MountfordMargaret Mountford is a British lawyer, businesswoman and television personality known for her role in The Apprentice.-Biography:Mountford is originally from Holywood in Northern Ireland...
, Lawyer, Businesswoman and advisor to Alan, Lord SugarAlan SugarAlan Michael Sugar, Baron Sugar is a British entrepreneur, media personality and political advisor. From humble origins in the East End of London, Sugar now has an estimated fortune of £770m , and was ranked 89th in the Sunday Times Rich List 2011...
.
- Sir Desmond Lorimer KBE FCA DSc, Former head of the Northern Bank, Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Northern Ireland Electricity and Ulster Garden Villages Limited resides in Holywood
- Robert 'Bob' McCartney QC, Leading Barrister and ex-UK Unionist Westminster MP for North Down (1995–2001) resides in Holywood
- Desmond Boal QC, Leading Northern Ireland Barrister and former Stormont MP resides in Holywood
- Clive StandenClive StandenClive Standen is an English actor best known for playing Sir Gawain in the Starz series Camelot as well as 'Archer', the brother of Robin Hood in the BBC TV series Robin Hood and Private Carl Harris in the British sci-fi show Doctor Who.-Acting:Standen's first experience of stunts, horse...
, an actor, was born in Holywood.
- Stephen Brown, S.J.Stephen Brown (author)Stephen James Meridith Brown was an Irish Catholic priest, writer, bibliographer and librarian...
, writer, librarian, founder of the Central Catholic LibraryCentral Catholic LibraryThe Central Catholic Library is a library located in Dublin, Ireland. It was founded by Fr. Stephen Brown, S.J. on June 25, 1922 with the goal of helping the laity to educate themselves. It is a voluntary subscription library and open to visitors six days a week...
, Dublin, was born in Holywood.
- John Edward Regan (Born: August 1926 - Rocktown, Bellaghy, County LondonderryCounty LondonderryThe place name Derry is an anglicisation of the old Irish Daire meaning oak-grove or oak-wood. As with the city, its name is subject to the Derry/Londonderry name dispute, with the form Derry preferred by nationalists and Londonderry preferred by unionists...
- Died: April 2007) lived most of his life in Holywood. He was best known as Managing Director of Regan Demolition and of John Regan & Sons Limited. Regan's was the larget demolition contractors in Northern Ireland all through the 'troubles' and they were resoponsible for clearing away bombed buildings in both Belfast and most towns in Northern Ireland. John Regan was a keen Gaelic Football supporter, and along with Davy McCoy and Paddy McNally, founded the renewed Thomas Russell GAA Club in Holywood in the late 1940's. Thomas Russells GAA was the fore-runner to the St. Paul's GAA club. Regan was instrumental in acquiring and developing the McNamee GAA pitch in the town. He was married to Kathleen, nee Brady, a Holywood native, in 1952, and they had five children.
- Breandán Mac Giolla Choille (1921–2006) was an Irish scholar and historian who was born in Holywood as Brendan Woodman; he later changed his name to the Irish equivalent. He was Keeper of the State Papers for the Government of the Republic of IrelandRepublic of IrelandIreland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, and edited Éamon de Valera'sÉamon de ValeraÉamon de Valera was one of the dominant political figures in twentieth century Ireland, serving as head of government of the Irish Free State and head of government and head of state of Ireland...
personal papers.
- Barney Eastwood, businessman and owner and founder of the Eastwood bookmakers up until 2007 when he sold them to Ladbrokes.
- Paul Carty, Banker and father of seven boys and one girl, now residing in a manor in the county Down coastal town of Warrenpoint. Born and raised in Holywood. One of the founders of the St. Paul's Gaelic Football Club in 1979. Son of Ned Carty of the Maypole Bar.
- Eamon Nancarrow, singer and author. Raised in Holywood and writes about the town in his autobiography 'Holywood Star: The life and times of a rock and roll misadventurer'.
- Jonathon Bramley, television producer, Bafta winner.
- Ken Heaven, musician and trencherman. Raised in Holywood and features heavily in 'Holywood Star: The life and times of a rock and roll misadventurer'.
- David Jeffrey, former footballer of Linfield FC, Ards FC and Larne FC. Currently manager of Linfield FC was born and raised in Church Road area of Holywood.
Transport
The first section of the Belfast and County Down RailwayBelfast and County Down Railway
The Belfast and County Down Railway was an Irish gauge railway in Ireland linking Belfast with County Down. It was built in the 19th century and absorbed into the Ulster Transport Authority in 1948...
(BCDR) line from Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
to Holywood, along with Holywood railway station
Holywood railway station
Holywood railway station serves Holywood in County Down, Northern Ireland. The station opened on 2 August 1848 and was closed for goods traffic on 24 April 1950.-Service:...
, opened on 2 August 1848. The line was extended to Bangor
Bangor, County Down
Bangor is a large town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is a seaside resort on the southern side of Belfast Lough and within the Belfast Metropolitan Area. Bangor Marina is one of the largest in Ireland, and holds Blue Flag status...
by the Belfast, Holywood and Bangor Railway (BHBR), opening on 1 May 1865, and acquired by the BCDR in 1884. Holywood station was closed for goods traffic on 24 April 1950.
Industry
The Crosslé Car Company, a manufacturer of racing carsAuto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
is based in Holywood.
Education
- Priory Integrated CollegePriory Integrated CollegePriory Integrated College is a secondary school located in Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland. It is a co-educational integrated college taking in 11 to 18 year old pupils from a wide area beyond Holywood, including Millisle, Donaghadee, Bangor, Newtownards, Dundonald and East Belfast.- See...
- Sullivan Upper SchoolSullivan Upper SchoolSullivan Upper AddressBelfast RoadHolywoodBT18 9EP Phone 9042 8780 from abroadFax 9042 7644HeadteacherMr C J W Peel, M.A., B.Sc., Dip.A.S.Ed.Vice Principals*Mr. I. Ballantine, B.Sc., M.Ed., P.G.C.E....
- Holywood Rudolf Steiner SchoolHolywood Rudolf Steiner SchoolThe Holywood Rudolf Steiner School is a Waldorf school located in Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland which teaches children using methods inspired by Rudolf Steiner...
- Sullivan Preparatory School
- St Patrick's Primary School
- Holywood Primary School
- Redburn Primary School
- Rockport SchoolRockport SchoolRockport School is an independent mixed ability school for boys and girls from 3 years to 16 years.Situated on the shore of Belfast Lough in Craigavad, a village in County Down, Northern Ireland between Belfast and Bangor....
Cricket
Holywood Cricket ClubHolywood Cricket Club
Holywood Cricket Club is a cricket club in Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland, playing in Section 1 of the NCU Senior League.The club was founded in 1881, originally playing at Kinnegar in Holywood. After a storm blew the pavilion away, the club found a new home in 1885 at Belfast Road, where...
is amalgamated with the Holywood R.F.C. Cricket may have been played in Holywood as early as 1860 but the present club, as we know it, was formed as a result of a meeting held on Monday, 28 March 1881. In the first season games against Ballynahinch, Enfield, Lurgan, North Down and Sydenham followed the opening game against Wellington, when the team was captained by Joe Ross.
The club's first home was at Kinnegar where the club President and Benefactor for many years gave use of part of his land to the club free of charge. The members worked hard to turn the area into a cricket ground and by 1883 had secured sufficient money to erect a new pavilion.
North Down Borough Council has provided HCC with a new home at Seapark. "Seapark Oval" was finally ready during the 2005 season, after 8 years of using the pitch at Sullivan School.
The club had been forced off the Belfast Road grounds it occupied for 100+ years due to the GAA upgrading the pitch it leases from the Down and Connor Roman Catholic diocese. This meant that with the playing surfaces of the two sports pitches being at different levels, cricket could no longer be played at this venue unless the ground was raised to the same level as the GAA pitch.
The cricket club now share the Seapark grounds with a bowling club and Holywood Football Club
Holywood F.C.
Holywood Football Club is a Northern Irish football club playing in Division 1A of the Northern Amateur Football League. The club is based in Holywood, County Down and was founded in 1983 by the amalgamation of Loughview Star and Holywood Town .On 1 May 2010 the Holywood U15 side won the SBYL U15...
, the latter hoping to secure new grounds at Spafield in the near future. There are also plans for a new club house at the Seapark grounds.
Golf
Holywood is the home of the Royal Belfast Golf Club, the oldest in Ireland, dating from 1881. The club's present course was designed by architect Harry Colt in 1926. The town also features the Holywood Golf Club, which was founded in 1904; this course is where 2011 U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroyRory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy is a Northern Irish professional golfer from Holywood in County Down. He has represented Europe, Great Britain & Ireland, and Ireland as both an amateur and a professional. He had a successful amateur career, topping the World Amateur Golf Ranking for one week as a 17-year-old in 2007...
learned his golf, and the champion still calls it his home course.
GAA
The first Gaelic Athletic AssociationGaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
club in Holywood was organised in 1927. It was called St Colmcille's. The team's strip was made up of black shorts and black shirts with white collars. This early club team also sponsored a handball team and a drama club. Although successful in the early days, the club lasted only ten years. It was revived in 1948 under the title of Holywood's Patron Saint, St. Laiseran, by John Regan, Davy McCoy and Paddy McNally, and lasted until it withdrew from the League in 1956.
- The successful Thomas RussellThomas RussellThomas Russell was an American painter. He was also the grandfather of Kurt Russell and father of actor Bing Russell.-Biography:...
Gaelic Club was formed in 1962 and soon earned the name "the Holywood Giant Killers". It played on a notoriously uneven pitch in the 'Convent Fields'. But early success did not continue – the club struggled on until 1976 when it withdrew from the Antrim League.
The next milestone in the story is the foundation of the St. Paul's Gaelic Football Club in 1979: an amalgamation of the Holywood, Bangor and Newtownards clubs. It operated under a deal with Holywood Cricket Club
Holywood Cricket Club
Holywood Cricket Club is a cricket club in Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland, playing in Section 1 of the NCU Senior League.The club was founded in 1881, originally playing at Kinnegar in Holywood. After a storm blew the pavilion away, the club found a new home in 1885 at Belfast Road, where...
which maintained the Gaelic pitch in return for using a small section of the lower pitch as part of its 'out-field'.
Football
Holywood F.C.Holywood F.C.
Holywood Football Club is a Northern Irish football club playing in Division 1A of the Northern Amateur Football League. The club is based in Holywood, County Down and was founded in 1983 by the amalgamation of Loughview Star and Holywood Town .On 1 May 2010 the Holywood U15 side won the SBYL U15...
was formed in 1983 following the amalgamation of two Northern Amateur League teams, Loughview Star (1961–83) and Holywood Town (1972–83). These two clubs had not been very successful, though Loughview had caused a sensation when they reached the Clarence Cup final while still a Second Division club, losing 2-0 to Lisburn Rangers in 1964–65
Loughview won Division 2B in 1981–82 and after the amalgamation, the new club finished runners up in 2b in 1992–93, but were soon relegated again. The club's biggest day came when they won the IFA Junior Cup final in 1989–90, beating their town rivals Holywood Rec. in the decider.
The club has enjoyed even more success in recent years, by winning the 2a title and the Cochrane & Corry Cup in the 1999–2000 season. As a result the club were promoted for the first time in their history to intermediate
Northern Ireland football league system
The Northern Ireland football league system is structured as two series of interconnected football leagues across Northern Ireland.-Structure:...
status in Division 1B.
See also
- List of settlements in Northern Ireland by population
External links
- Culture Northern Ireland
- – Bangor & Holywood Town Centres Ltd
- Bangor FM – Bangor's Radio Station
- BFBS Radio in Holywood on 101 fm
- Holywood virtual community
- Holywood Conservation Group
- Holywood Old School Preservation Trust
- Holywood Parish Church
- Ulster Folk and Transport Museum
- Belfast City Airport
- Holywood Rugby Club
- Holywood Cricket Club
- Holywood Flickr Page
- Holywood Residents Association