Hollywood is a town in County Down, Northern Ireland, on the shores of Belfast Lake, halfway between Belfast and Bangor.About 15,000 people live here. man.This Hollywood is famous, first of all, for the jazz and blues festival that takes place here every year.Secondly, this place is known for its cluster of fashion stores, boutiques, art shops and craft boutiques.Hollywood is sometimes called the gateway to the North Downs.There are many different cafes, gourmet restaurants, wine bars and shops with gastronomic delicacies.
A BIT OF HISTORY
The history of the city began with a Norman settlement and a forest monastery, which was founded here before the 7th century.Today Hollywood Abbey stands in its place.In the 17th century, the town began to boom, which was associated with the development of ports throughout Ulster, but Hollywood did not become famous for anything special until the early 19th century, when it, like many coastal villages, became quite a popular seaside resort.Wealthy residents of Belfast traveled here on the water and built large mansions on the outskirts.
In 1848 a branch of the railway from Belfast was laid to Hollywood, which also served the further development of the region.
There is also another Hollywood in Northern Ireland - it is located in the county of Wicklow.It is a village with a permanent population of no more than 100 people.But it also has its own reasons for pride: the small village is believed to have been founded by Saint Kevin himself, and as a result, many pilgrims pass through Wicklow's Hollywood throughout the year.The village has St. Kevin's throne and his cave, and the St. Kevin's footpath, followed by pilgrims, leads from here to Glendalough through the beautiful Wicklow Mountains National Park.
HOW TO GET
The easiest way is by train from Belfast or Bangor.In particular, it is less than 9 km from Belfast, so it is easy to get there by car.
ENTERTAINMENT AND SIGHTS
Old Holywood Abbey (or rather, its ruins) is located at the end of the High Street.The tower dates from around 1800, but the oldest parts of the abbey date back to the 13th century.Holywood Priory appeared on the site of the Celtic abbey destroyed by the Normans at the end of the 12th century.Many prominent citizens are buried in the city cemetery, including educational reformer Robert Sullivan and world-renowned botanist Robert Lloyd Prager.The ashes of his sister, Rosamund Prager, who became famous as a sculptor, rest here: one of her works - a bronze boy with an accordion - can still be seen in the city, on the playground.The sculpture dates back to the 1950s. and was created in memory of the broken children's lives at a time when their value was not considered high.
The Normans, building their own sanctuary on the site of the former abbey, also built the road that still runs through the county from Holywood to Newry.This is a good hiking route for traveling around the region.
Another historical place that still retains a fair share of its former importance is May Field.Such a playground is found in many old Northern European villages and towns.Although it is believed that in Northern Ireland, the last remaining Mayfield is the local, Hollywood one.Traditional festivals with dances, dances around the May tree, the meeting of spring and summer solstice festivities take place on May Field.
Hollywood is no exception.The local Travneve Pole is the venue for traditional festivities since 1700. Legend has it that it was in this year that a Dutch ship was damaged and forced to dock near the current city.The team presented the broken mast to the city as a celebratory pole to show their gratitude to the local residents who provided the sailors with first aid.Since then, and every year on May Day, there is dancing and fun at the fair on May Day.
Almost as famous as the May Field itself is the bar of the same name that overlooks it.Among the locals, it is known as Ned's bar or Karta's bar.The bar received its first license in 1857. and from the same year until 2006, the institution changed owners only twice.Map Weeks local bought it from Mick O Kane in the late 1960s. (and he owned the bar since 1908).Today, Ned's son, Brian, manages the bar.
The Ulster Folklore and Transport Museum occupies the building of the former Dalhulynov estate.Today, at this place in the village of Cultra, which is a couple of kilometers from Holywood, there is an estate of the same name, built in 1902-1904. The museum unites two relevant museums under one roof, in one of which you can get acquainted with the traditions and daily life of the inhabitants of Northern Ireland, and in the other - to learn how the problems of transportation were solved here by means of water, air and land communications.Overall, the museum is considered one of the most visited in Northern Ireland and has even been awarded Museum of the Year.It is also included in the four National Museums of Northern Ireland.
The Hollywood Library occupies an interesting historic building, completely renovated in 1992. It was built for the Sullivan National School in 1862. on the site of the old forge.Financed the construction of other Sullivan, a native of the city who had a serious academic career.The building provided premises for study, reading, conferences, libraries and a kitchen.Today it is the main cultural and scientific center of the city with a CD library, computer classrooms, etc. others
The city is surrounded by several parks, from where you can admire not only Hollywood, but also Belfast, as well as Lake Carrickfergus.
Hollywood also has its own yacht club, two golf clubs, a tennis court and a concert hall named after the Queen.
