Holywood

The town's name is pronounced "holly" but means "holy" — the monastery of St Laiseran was established early in the 7th century. An Augustinian priory was built in the 12th century, and these are the ruins you see today. In the early 17th century Holywood was rebuilt as a Plantation market town. Its developers and settlers didn't make much money, until the railway arrived in 1848. It became a commuter town, trippers came out from the city for a day at the seaside, and wealthy industrialists and merchants built their mansions here. Traditional industry slumped in the 20th century and fuelled "The Troubles", but Holywood is not an interface between communities and was only lightly afflicted. It has even managed to attract a textile industry in an era when so many Ulster towns have lost theirs.

1 Belfast City Airport aka George Best (BHD IATA) is two miles southwest. Take the free shuttle bus or walk to Sydenham station for the Bangor train as below.

For other long-distance routes travel via Belfast city centre: by car follow A2.

Trains from Belfast Grand Central run every 20 min and take 20 min via City Hospital, Botanic (for Queen's University), Lanyon Place, Titanic and Sydenham (for City Airport). They continue from Holywood to Marino (for beach), Cultra (for Transport and Folk Museums), Seahill, Helen's Bay (for Crawfordsburn), Carnalea, Bangor West and Bangor.

2 Holywood railway station is on A2 the bypass, a block northwest of High St. It has ticket machines, and step-free access to the platforms. No toilets.

Ulsterbus 1 & 2 run from Belfast Laganside, taking 25 min via Lanyon Place, and continuing to Cultra, Kilcooley, Crawfordsburn and Bangor. They're hourly M-Sa but only four on Sunday.