Holywood.

The town of Holywood is located on the main road between Belfast and Bangor, it is now mainly a residential suburb, although it has a thriving town centre.

Historically the town dates back to the seventh century when a church was founded here by Saint Laiseran, son of Nasca, and the place was called after him Ard-mic-Nasca, the height of the son of Nasca, later Sanctus Boscus.

In the sixteenth century the church was bestowed on the Franciscans, who established a small monastery; here the site is marked by the ruins of a later church, surrounded by the older part of the present graveyard.

Holywood has a Maypole which stands at the intersection of the two principal streets, maypoles were once a feature of many Irish villages, in areas of strong English influence.

According to Samuel Lewis prior to 1800 Holywood consisted of only 30 houses mostly poor cabins. Writing in 1837 he informs us that there were 225 houses mostly well built bathing lodges.

Read about the parish of Holywood.

Holywood on Wikipedia.