36-620: The A20 is a road in County Down in Northern Ireland . It runs from Belfast to Newtownards and on to Portaferry . Beginning as the Newtownards Road at the junction of Bridge End close to Belfast city centre , the road runs in an easterly direction through east Belfast. The early parts of the road are mainly working-class Protestant districts with strong links to the nearby Harland & Wolff shipyard. After
72-412: A commission was issued in pursuance of that statute "to survey and make enquiry in the countries and territories ... that are not shire ground, or are doubtful to what shire they belong; to limit and nominate them a shire or county; to divide them into countries, baronies or hundreds, or to join them to any existing shire or barony" "for the countries or territories of Arde, as well this side Blackstafe as
108-419: A grudge, entered an assembly hall at Sullivan Upper School and used a flamethrower to attack students taking A-level examinations. Six pupils were injured; three of them seriously. On 12 April 2010, at around 12:24am, a car bombing occurred near Palace Barracks , a British Army barracks on the edge of Holywood's town centre. An elderly man was blown off his feet and had to be treated in hospital. The bomb
144-506: A manufacturer of racing cars is based in Holywood. The town contains the following schools: Holywood Primary School, Holywood Nursery School, Holywood Rudolf Steiner School , Priory Integrated College , Rockport School , St. Patrick's Primary School, and Sullivan Preparatory School and Sullivan Upper School . Holywood is home to Formula One driver, Eddie Irvine and Formula 3 Driver (2020), Christian Lester. Holywood Cricket Club
180-520: A population of 552,261. It borders County Antrim to the north, the Irish Sea to the east, County Armagh to the west, and County Louth across Carlingford Lough to the southwest. In the east of the county is Strangford Lough and the Ards Peninsula . The largest settlement is Bangor , a city on the northeast coast. Three other large towns and cities are on its border: Newry lies on
216-462: Is a civil parish and townland of 306 hectares (755 acres) lying on the shore of Belfast Lough , between Belfast and Bangor . Holywood Exchange and Belfast City Airport are nearby. The English name Holywood comes from Latin Sanctus Boscus 'holy wood'. This was the name the Normans gave to the woodland surrounding the monastery of St Laiseran, son of Nasca. The monastery
252-470: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article related to the geography of County Down , Northern Ireland is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . County Down County Down ( Irish : Contae an Dúin ) is one of the six counties of Northern Ireland , one of the nine counties of Ulster and one of the traditional thirty-two counties of Ireland . It covers an area of 961 sq mi (2,490 km ) and has
288-511: Is also home to the No.1-ranked golf course, Royal County Down Golf Club , in not just Ireland, but the entire Great Britain , according to Today's Golfer . Former No.1 golfer in the world, Rory McIlroy , originates from Holywood , which is situated in the north of the county. " Star of the County Down " is a popular Irish ballad. The county is named in the lyrics of the song " Around
324-627: Is the more recent, gaining city status on 2 December 2022. County Down takes its name from dún , the Irish word for dun or fort, which is a common root in Gaelic place names (such as Dundee , Dunfermline and Dumbarton in Scotland and Donegal and Dundalk in the Republic of Ireland). The fort in question was in the historic town of Downpatrick , originally known as Dún Lethglaise ("fort of
360-474: Is the resting place for many distinguished citizens including the educational reformer, Robert Sullivan, and the Praeger family. Sullivan Upper Grammar School is named after Robert Sullivan. Robert Lloyd Praeger (1865–1953) was an internationally renowned botanist and his sister, Rosamond Praeger (1867–1954), gained fame as a sculptor and writer. On 17 June 1994, Garnet Bell, a former pupil bearing
396-539: The 2021 census , County Down had a population of 552,261, making it the second most populous county in Northern Ireland. According to the 2021 UK census in County Down: The county was administered by Down County Council from 1899 until the abolition of county councils in Northern Ireland in 1973. County Down is now served by the following local government districts : Former railways within
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#1732776235984432-653: The Mourne Mountains , Silent Valley Reservoir, Ben Crom Reservoir, Spelga Dam and Lough Shannagh. The River Lagan forms most of the border with County Antrim. The River Bann also flows through the southwestern areas of the county. Other rivers include the Clanrye and Quoile . There are several islands off the Down coast: Mew Island, Light House Island and the Copeland Islands , all of which lie to
468-834: The Mourne Mountains . There is a Narnia trail in Kilbroney Park, in Rostrevor . Sam Hanna Bell based his novel of Ulster rural life, December Bride (1951) in the Ards peninsula. A film version of the novel, also called December Bride , was produced in 1990 and released in November 1991. Several areas of County Down served as filming locations for the HBO series Game of Thrones including Castle Ward ( Winterfell ), Inch Abby ( Riverlands ), and Tollymore Forest Park . The Academy Award-winning short film The Shore (2011)
504-572: The Strangford Lough shore to Portaferry , close to the end of the Ards Peninsula . Here, a ferry service is available to Strangford . In Portaferry the road joins the A2 coast road. 54°30′18″N 5°32′24″W / 54.50494°N 5.54003°W / 54.50494; -5.54003 This Northern Ireland or road transport-related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This Belfast geographical article
540-979: The Williamite War in Ireland (1689–1691) the county was a centre of Protestant rebellion against the rule of the Catholic James II . After forming a scratch force the Protestants were defeated by the Irish Army at the Break of Dromore and forced to retreat, leading to the whole of Down falling under Jacobite control. Later the same year Marshal Schomberg 's large Williamite expedition arrived in Belfast Lough and captured Bangor. After laying siege to Carrickfergus , Schomberg marched south to Dundalk Camp , clearing County Down and much of
576-460: The County Down in the lyrics to several songs including "Northern Muse (Solid Ground)", "Mystic of the East" and the nostalgic " Coney Island ", which names several places and landmarks in the county. Van Morrison also covered "Star of the County Down" with The Chieftains as a part of their collaboration album Irish Heartbeat . C. S. Lewis , author of The Chronicles of Narnia , was inspired by
612-502: The World ", from the film Around the World in 80 Days , which was an American top ten hit for Bing Crosby and UK top ten hit for Ronnie Hilton , both in 1957, although it was Mantovani 's instrumental version which was actually used in the film. Rihanna 's video " We Found Love " was filmed there in 2011, causing complaints when the singer removed her clothes to reveal a bikini. The Ulster singer Van Morrison has made reference to
648-548: The area's modern rail network. In association football, the NIFL Premiership , which operates as the top division, has three teams in the county: Newry City F.C. , Ards F.C. and Warrenpoint Town F.C. , with Banbridge Town F.C. , Bangor F.C. and Lisburn Distillery F.C. competing in the NIFL Championship , which operates as levels two and three. The Down County Board administers Gaelic games in
684-474: The county include the Great Northern Railway of Ireland and Belfast and County Down Railway both of which were formed in the 19th century and were closed (or amalgamated) in the 1950s. The Downpatrick and County Down Railway operates a short section of the former Belfast and County Down line as a heritage railway between Downpatrick and Inch Abbey . Northern Ireland Railways operates
720-431: The county. Down is the most successful team north of the border in terms of All-Ireland Senior Football Championships won with five (1960, 1961, 1968, 1991 and 1994) in total. In terms of Ulster, they share that accolade with Cavan who also have 5 titles. They currently have four minor All-Ireland titles, twelve Ulster titles and one under 21 all Ireland title (1979). The Ards peninsula is a hurling stronghold. County Down
756-507: The green side" or "fort of the two broken fetters"). During the 2nd century the region was home to the Voluntii tribe, according to Ptolemy . From the 400s–1177 County Down formed a central part of the kingdom of Ulaid . Ulaid was a frequent target of Viking raids in the eighth and ninth centuries, however fierce local resistance prevented the Norse from setting up permanent settlements in
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#1732776235984792-670: The junction of the Holywood Road, it becomes the Upper Newtownards Road and enters the middle-class areas of Ballyhackamore , Knock and Stormont, where it passes the Parliament Buildings . After leaving Belfast and passing through Dundonald , the road becomes a dual carriageway , passing through a mainly agricultural area before arriving in Newtownards. After Newtownards, the road follows
828-597: The north of the Ards Peninsula. Gunn Island lies off the Lecale coast. In addition, there are at least seventy islands (several inhabited) along with many islets – or pladdies – in Strangford Lough, although folk tradition says there are 365 islands in Strangford Lough, one for every day of the year. County Down is where, in the words of the song by Percy French , " The mountains of Mourne sweep down to
864-740: The other side, Copelande islands, the Dufferin, Clandeboy, Kilultoghe, the Glynes with the Raughlines, Momerie and Carie, the Rowte M'William ( McQuillan ) and all lands between lough Coine and lough Eaghe, and the water of Strangforde and the Banne. To certify their proceedings before the 1st August." The county was privately planted during the Plantation period (16th–17th centuries). During
900-565: The region. In 1001 a fleet led by Sigtrygg Silkbeard raided much of the region in retribution for the Ulaiden's refusal to offer him sanctuary from Brian Boru the previous year. The region was invaded by the Normans in 1177. From the 1180s–1600s the region saw waves of English and Scottish immigration. In 1569 the Irish Parliament passed "An Act for turning of Countries that be not yet Shire Grounds into Shire Grounds". In 1570
936-568: The rest of East Ulster of Jacobite troops. Down contains two significant peninsulas : Ards Peninsula and Lecale peninsula . The county has a coastline along Belfast Lough to the north and Carlingford Lough to the south (both of which have access to the sea). Strangford Lough lies between the Ards Peninsula and the mainland. Down also contains part of the shore of Lough Neagh . Smaller loughs include Lough Island Reavy and Castlewellan Lake near Castlewellan, Clea Lough near Killyleagh, Lough Money and Loughinisland near Downpatrick and, within
972-925: The sea", and the area around the granite Mourne Mountains continues to be known for its scenery. Slieve Donard , at 849 m (2,785 ft), is the highest peak in the Mournes, in Northern Ireland and in the province of Ulster. Another important peak is Slieve Croob , at 534 m (1,752 ft), the source of the River Lagan. Baronies Parishes Townlands (population of 75,000 or more at 2001 Census) (population of 18,000 or more and under 75,000 at 2001 Census) (Population of 10,000 or more and under 18,000 at 2001 Census) (Population of 4,500 or more and under 10,000 at 2001 Census) (Population of 2,250 or more and under 4,500 at 2001 Census) (Population of 1,000 or more and under 2,250 at 2001 Census) (Population of less than 1,000 at 2001 Census) As of
1008-660: The town and the surrounding area to build large homes for themselves. These included the Kennedys of Cultra and the Harrisons of Holywood. Dalchoolin House stood on the site of the present Ulster Transport Museum , while Cultra Manor was built between 1902–04 and now houses the Ulster Folk Museum . The railway line from Belfast to Holywood opened in 1848, and this led to rapid development. The population of Holywood
1044-402: The western border with County Armagh, while Lisburn and Belfast lie on the northern border with County Antrim. Down contains both the southernmost point of Northern Ireland ( Cranfield Point ) and the easternmost point of Ireland ( Burr Point ). It was one of two counties of Northern Ireland to have a Protestant majority at the time of the 2001 census . The other Protestant-majority County
1080-711: Was County Antrim to the north. However, as of the 2021 Census, it is now the only county in which there is a Protestant background majority, as Antrim has Protestant background plurality. In the 2021 census, Ards and North Down had the highest number of "No Religion" responses (30.6%) for Northern Ireland. In March 2018, The Sunday Times published its list of Best Places to Live in Britain, including five in Northern Ireland. The list included three in County Down: Holywood , Newcastle , and Strangford . The county has two cities: Newry and Bangor . The latter
1116-472: Was allegedly driven towards the base in a hijacked taxi. The Real IRA claimed responsibility for the attack. As of the 2011 United Kingdom census on 27 March, there were 11,257 people living in Holywood. Of these: On 2 August 1848, the first leg of the Belfast and County Down Railway , or BCDR, was opened from Belfast to Holywood. The Holywood railway station opened simultaneously. The railway line
A20 road (Northern Ireland) - Misplaced Pages Continue
1152-532: Was approximately 3,500 in 1900 and had grown to 12,000 by 2001. This growth, coupled with that of other towns and villages along the coastal strip to Bangor , necessitated the construction of the Holywood Bypass which was completed in 1972. The Old Priory ruins lie at the bottom of the High Street. The tower dates from 1800, but the oldest ruins date from the early 13th century. The Priory graveyard
1188-546: Was extended via the Belfast, Holywood and Bangor Railway (BHBR) to Bangor , and the extension opened on 1 May 1865. The BCDR acquired the BHBR in 1884. Holywood station was closed for goods traffic on 24 April 1950. Records of the marine algae include: Polysiphonia elongata , Laurencia obtusa , Chondria dasyphylla , Pterothamnion plumula , Rhodophyllis divaricate , and Coccotylus truncates . The Crosslé Car Company ,
1224-404: Was filmed in and around Killough bay by director/writer Terry George and his daughter Oorlagh. The film starred Ciaran Hynds, Kerry Condon and Connleth Hill. Holywood, County Down Holywood ( / ˈ h ɒ l i w ʊ d / HOL -ee-wuud ; from Latin Sanctus Boscus 'holy wood' ) is a town in the metropolitan area of Belfast in County Down , Northern Ireland . It
1260-559: Was formed at Kinnegar in 1881. It moved to Belfast Road in 1885 and then to the present ground at Seapark Road in 1996. Holywood F.C. is a Northern Irish intermediate football club playing in Division 1B of the Northern Amateur Football League . St. Paul's Gaelic Football Club was founded in 1979 as an amalgamation of the Holywood, Bangor, and Newtownards clubs. Holywood Golf Club, founded in 1904
1296-439: Was founded by Laiseran before 640 and was on the site of the present Holywood Priory . The earliest Anglicised form appears as Haliwode in a 14th-century document. The Irish name for Holywood is Ard Mhic Nasca meaning "high ground of Mac Nasca". In the early 19th century, Holywood, like many other coastal villages throughout Ireland, became popular as a resort for sea-bathing . Many wealthy Belfast merchants chose
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