Holywood (Ard Mhic Neasca in Irish) is a town in County Down, Northern Ireland, on the shores of Belfast Lough . Belfast City Airport is at the southwest end of the town.
Although it is pronounced Hollywood, Holywood is not to be confused with those other places called Hollywood. The name Holywood is derived from the oak woodland surrounding a monastery founded by St. Laiseran before 640.
Holywood is famous for its Maypole at the crossroads in the centre of town. The local legend is that the original pole was the mast from a ship wrecked in a storm in the 17th Century. The Maypole is still used for dancing at the annual May Day fair.
There is a Norman motte in the town and this may well be based on an earlier burial mound.
The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum illustrating the way of life and traditions of the people of the north of Ireland is on the edge of town at Cultra .
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Last updated: 08-30-2005 00:01:57
