HOLYWOOD

In 1868, the parish of Holywood contained the following places:

"HOLYWOOD, a parish, post town, and small seaport, in the barony of Lower Castlereagh, county Down, province of Ulster, Ireland, 5 miles N.E. of Belfast. The parish is 6 miles long by 2 broad, and contains the villages of Ballyhackmore, Newbridge, and Strandtown. The surface, which lies along the coast of Belfast Lough, is hilly on the inland border. The principal heights are Standard Hill and Barbadoes Hill. Conn's brook, tracing part of the western boundary, is the principal stream. The living is a perpetual curacy in the diocese of Down, value £132. The church, which stands in the town, is of very ancient foundation, and is supposed to have been the priory church. Here are a Roman Catholic chapel and two Presbyterian meeting-houses. There are seven day and two Sunday schools. This parish was formed in 1626 by the union of the ancient parishes of Columbkill and Craigavad. The County Down railway traverses the parish. The town is situated on the road from Belfast to Bangor, and on the eastern shore of Carrickfergus Bay. It consists chiefly of one street, presenting a cheerful and cleanly appearance, and is a favourite bathing resort of the citizens of Belfast, for whom it has excellent accommodation. Here are police and coastguard stations, and a dispensary within the Belfast Poor-law Union, also a small pier. A fixed light has been put up at Hollywood Head. A Franciscan friary is alleged to have been founded here in 1200, and the site was granted to the Hamiltons by James I. One of the Presbyterian meeting-houses is a Gothic cruciform structure. In 1644 the Presbyterians of Ireland signed the Covenant in Hollywood. Chalybeate springs occur near the town, and at Cultra and Ballymahon. Fairs are held quarterly.

"NEWBRIDGE, a village in the parish of Holywood, barony of Lower Castlereagh, county Down, province of Ulster, Ireland, 1 mile E. of Belfast. It is situated at the bridge over the small stream called the Conn's water."

[Transcribed from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868]
by Colin Hinson ©2018