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Town on outskirts of Belfast, Northern Ireland
Photo: NearEMPTiness, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Holywood is a town five miles northeast of Belfast. It's historically in County Down, but since 2015 has been governed as part of Ards and North Down District, along with Bangor and Newtownards. With a population of 10,700 in 2021, its main attractions are the Ulster Folk and Transport Museums.
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Vast collection, with a wing-back De Lorean and two train sheds full of old steam locomotives and buses.
Open air museum recreating an Ulster town, farms, cottages and country crafts, mostly from the 19th century. (It surrounds Cultra Manor but that's only open for special events.) Allow a couple of hours; it's easily combined with the Transport Museum but they don't do combi tickets.
Course on the woodland slopes of the Holywood hills. The front nine are relatively easy and might be played as a quick after-work game, the back nine will demand your attention. This is the home course of Rory McIlroy, born locally. White tees 6027 yards, par 70.
It claims to be the oldest golf club in Ireland, founded in 1881, but it had two other locations before coming here in 1914, and the present course was laid out in 1925. It's a challenging course on the slopes above Belfast Lough. Blue tees are 6306 yards, par 70.
Coffee shop, good menu selection but you have to try their cinnamon scones.
Cafe with small art gallery and shop.
Restaurant serving Continental favorites, gets great reviews.
The Maypole
Remarkable little pub next to the town maypole, it's only had three proprietors since it first opened in 1857.
Popular seafront pub, serves food, has live music and pub quiz. On a fine day the beer garden has a great view over the estuary.
Quirky B&B, richly decorated. No dogs.
Smart B&B near Royal Belfast Golf Club.
Upscale spa hotel in Baronial style, often hosts weddings and similar events, in pleasant grounds.
Belfast City Airport aka George Best (BHD) is two miles southwest. Take the free shuttle bus or walk to Sydenham station for the Bangor train as below.
Read in the guideIt's a long straggly town along A2. For the Folk and Transport museums, take the bus or train to Cultra.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Belfast · Regional · BHD
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