Holywood (HOL-ee-wuud) is a town and civil parish in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies on the shore of Belfast Lough, between Belfast and Bangor. It boasts one of the last may-poles in Ireland, said to go back to 1700. Its used annually at the towns popular May Day festival.

Holywood Priory. The tower dates back to 1800, but the oldest ruins are said to go back to the 13th Century. The old Priory graveyard is the resting place for many distinguished citizens.

The tower and clock.

Holywood seafront. The town sits right on the edge of Belfast Lough.

The library in the town center, which used to be a school many years ago. The pic was taken by me at Christmas, hence the tree.

Bit of an eyesore, but this is now gone. I took this photograph just two days before this old butchers shop (Im told) was demolished on the Downshire Road in the town.

At low tide its quite surprising how far you can walk out onto the lough at Holywood. You can just see the ferry heading to Scotland in the background.