HOLYWOOD

holywood, a seaport of county down, ireland, on the east shore of belfast lough, 4(1/2) m. n.e. from belfast by the belfast & county down railway. its pleasant situation renders it a favourite residential locality of the wealthier classes in belfast. there was a religious settlement here from the 7th century, which subsequently became a franciscan monastery. the old church dating from the late 12th or early 13th century marks its site. a solemn league and covenant was signed here in 1644 for the defence of the kingdom, and the document is preserved at belfast.