Holywood Vacations, Holywood Vacation Reviews, Tourism Guide

A place of antiquity and history, the Holy Wood referring to the Priory and funeral mound. Tthe Ardmacnissa or "Sanctus Boscus" was once known as a large religious settlement. An ancient church was presided over by St. Laisren in 642, and the only means now of tracing the site is by the "Mound" which still remains in the grounds of Riverston. The ruins of the church were in the vicinity of the funeral mound called Ard-mac-nasca, and the Holy Wood stood on the hill above.
The seaside village is also famous for its Maypole on High Street, made from a ship's mast and the focus of May Day celebrations. A prosperous shopping distict, the village is also close to Belfast City Airport now re-named after George Best, Belfast's footballing genius. It is also near to the Holywood Exchange - a major shopping development and host to Ireland's first IKEA store. The mercantile history of the village means there are some remarkable Victorian residences, one of which houses the Holywood Rudolf Steiner Waldorf School on Crft Road.