Why This Irish Town Is Older Than You Think

At first glance, Holywood Co. Down appears to be the typical Medieval town; but, its origins are much older. This documentary video explores its ancient monuments, ancient ruins and history reaching back into the 'Dark Ages' and beyond. Explore the true foundations that led to the town development, and how much older it actually is. The expansion we recognise today clustered around the priory that is atop an earlier monastic foundation. Is the Anglo-Norman motte actually the reuse of an earlier Chieftain burial mound? #medieval #medievalhistory #darkages #archaeology #ireland #irishhistory #church #motte #rath #lisnabreeny #holywood #holywoodpriory #ancientruins #ancientmonuments #historydocumentary References Dunlop, C. and Nicol, S., 2004: “Croft Road, Holywood, Co. Down”. Northern Archaeological Consultancy Excavation Report. AE/04/39. Jope, E. M., 1966: Archaeological Survey of County Down. H.M Stationery Office. McKay, P., 1999: A Dictionary of Ulster Placenames. Institute of Irish Studies. Queen’s University. Belfast. McNeill, T. E., 1980: Anglo-Norman Ulster. John Donald Publishers. McSparron, C., 2017: “Dating the Emergence of Souterrain Ware”. Ulster Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 74, pp. 68–73. Moore, P. W., 2005: “Holywood Motte, Co. Down”. Geophysical Survey Report No. 003. Centre for Archaeological Fieldwork. Queen’s University. Belfast. O’Laverty, J., 1878: A Historical Account of the Diocese of Down and Connor Ancient and Modern (Vol II).  Legare Street Press. O’Sullivan, A. and McCormick, F. et al., 2013: Early Medieval Ireland AD 400 – 1100. The Evidence from Archaeological Excavations. Royal Irish Academy. Dublin. Proudfoot, B. and Balfour-Browne, F. L., 1959: “Note on a Rath at Croft Road, Holywood, Co. Down.” Ulster Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 22, pp. 102–06. Sweetman, H. S., 1875: Calendar of Documents Relating to Ireland: 1171 – 1307. Longman. London