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County Armagh
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County Armagh (Contae Ard Mhacha in Irish - from the height of Macha) is a county in Ulster in the north east of Ireland. It is the smallest, in area, of the six counties that form Northern Ireland and second smallest in Ulster. County Armagh is known as the "Orchard County" because the land is so fertile for apple-growing. Its county town is Armagh, in the middle of the county, although both Lurgan and Portadown, in the north of the county, each have larger populations.
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Encyclopedia
County Armagh (Contae Ard Mhacha in Irish - from the height of Macha) is a county in Ulster in the north east of Ireland. It is the smallest, in area, of the six counties that form Northern Ireland and second smallest in Ulster. County Armagh is known as the "Orchard County" because the land is so fertile for apple-growing. Its county town is Armagh, in the middle of the county, although both Lurgan and Portadown, in the north of the county, each have larger populations. Traditionally the centre of Christianity in Ireland, both Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland leaders in Ireland are based in Armagh. The County also boasts a broad range of historical sites and remains and has served as the power centre of a number of important leaders down the through the ages.
County Armagh borders Lough Neagh to the north, County Down and Carlingford Lough to the east, County Tyrone to the north-west, and counties Louth and Monaghan, both in the republic, to the south and south-west respectively.
Geography & features
From its highest point at Slieve Gullion, in the south of the County, Armagh's land falls away from its rugged south with Carrigatuke, Lislea and Camlough mountains, to rolling drumlin country in the middle and west of the county and finally flatlands in the North where rolling flats and small hills reach sea level at lough Neagh.
County Armagh's boundary with Louth is marked by the rugged Ring of Gullion rising in the south of the county whilst much of its boundary with Monaghan and Down goes unnoticed with seemless continuance of drumlins and small lakes. The River Blackwater marks the border with County Tyrone and Lough Neagh otherwise marks out the County's northern boundary.
There are also a number of uninhabited islands in the county's section of Lough Neagh: Coney Island, Coney Island Flat, Croaghan Flat, Derrywarragh Island, Padian, Phil Roe's Flat and the Shallow Flat.
Climate
Despite lying in the east of Ireland, Armagh enjoys enjoys a Oceanic climate strongly influenced by the Gulf Stream with damp mild winters, and temperate, wet summers. Overal temperatures rarely drop below freezing during daylight hours and though frost is not infrequent in the months November - February. Snow rarely lies for longer than a few hours even in the elevated south-east of the County. Summers are mild and wet and although with sunshine often interspersed with showers, daylight lasts for almost 18 hours during high-summer.
History
Ancient Armagh was the territory of the Ulaid (also known as Voluntii, Ultonians, Ulidians, Ulstermen) before the fourth century AD. It was ruled by the Red Branch, whose capital was Emain Macha (or Navan Fort) near Armagh. The site, and subsequently the city, were named after the goddess Macha. The Red Branch play an important role in the Ulster Cycle, as well as the Cattle Raid of Cooley. However, they were eventually driven out of the area by the Three Collas, who invaded in the 4th century and held power until the 12th. The Clan Colla ruled the area known as Airghialla or Oriel for these 800 years.
The chief Irish septs of the county were descendants of the Collas, the O'Hanlons and MacCanns, and the Ui Neill, the O'Neills of Fews. Armagh was divided into several baronies: Armagh was held by the O'Rogans, Lower Fews was held by O'Neill of the Fews, and Upper Fews were under governance of the O'Larkins, who were later displaced by the MacCanns. Oneilland East was the territory of the O'Garveys, who were also displaced by the MacCanns. Oneilland West, like Oneilland East, was once O'Neill territory, until it was then held by the MacCanns, who were Lords of Clanbrassil. Upper and Lower Orior were O'Hanlon territory. Tiranny was ruled by Ronaghan. Miscellaneous tracts of land were ruled by O'Kelaghan.
Armagh was the seat of St. Patrick, and in Roman Catholic tradition, continues to be his see.
County Armagh is one of four counties of Northern Ireland to presently have a majority of the population from a Catholic community background, according to the 2001 census.
The Troubles
The South of Armagh was the most militarised region in Western Europe due to the history of the Troubles. The region has been a stronghold of support for the IRA, earning it the nickname "Bandit Country". South Armagh is predominantly nationalist, with most of the population being opposed to any form of British presence, especially that of a military nature. See Provisional IRA South Armagh Brigade for further information.
Administration
The primary remaining official use of County Armagh is as a Lieutenancy area and the county retains a lord lieutenant who acts as representative of the British Monarch in the County.
County Armagh ceased to serve as a local government unit in 1973 and currently the county is divided into three district councils for local government purposes, namely Armagh City and District Council, most of Craigavon Borough Council, and approximately the western third of Newry and Mourne District Council. With the proposed reform of Local government in Northern Ireland in 2011, County Armagh is proposed to be form part of two new council areas, Armagh City and Bann District, and Newry City and Down.
Armagh has ceased to serve as an electoral constituency in 1983 but remains the core of the Newry and Armagh (UK Parliament constituency) and Newry & Armagh Northern Ireland Assembly electoral constituencies. County Armagh also remains as a ditrict for legal and property purposes however its baronies no longer have any administrative use.
The -LZ suffix is currently used on vehicle registration plates for vehicles registered in County Armagh.
Settlements
Large towns
(population of 18,000 or more and under 75,000 at 2001 Census)
Medium towns
(population of 10,000 or more and under 18,000 at 2001 Census)
Small towns
(population of 4,500 or more and under 10,000 at 2001 Census)
Intermediate settlements
(population of 2,250 or more and under 4,500 at 2001 Census)
Villages
(population of 1,000 or more and under 2,250 at 2001 Census)
Small villages or hamlets
(population of less than 1,000 at 2001 Census)
Transport
County Armagh is traversed by two major highways - the M1 linking Belfast to Dungannon crossed the North of the County whilst the A1/N1 from Belfast to Dublin runs in the far south east of the County. Armagh has numerous local roads connecting settlements in the county.
Armagh once had a well developed railroad network with connections to, amongst others, Armagh City, Culloville, Goraghwood, Markethill, Vernersbridge, Tynan (see History of rail transport in Ireland ) but today only Newry (Bessbrook), Portadown, Poyntzpass, Scarva, and Lurgan are served by rail.
Ulsterbus provides the most extensive public transport system within the county, including frequent bus transfers daily from most towns to Belfast. Northern Ireland Railways / Iarnród Éireann's Enterprise service provides connections to Dublin in little over and hour and Belfast in little over forty minutes several times daily.
People associated with County Armagh
- See main article: People from County Armagh
- George Buchanan Armstrong, (1822-1871), born in County Armagh, developed new system of sorting mail on trains in the United States.
- Brian Boru, (941 - 1014), buried in Armagh City, victor of Clontarf, High King of Ireland
- Samuel Knox, (1756-1832), born in County Armagh, Presbyterian clergyman, school principal, and author.
- Frank Aiken (1898-1983), born in County Armagh, Irish Republican, Irish Minister for External Affairs, Tánaiste
- Tomás Ó Fiaich (1923-1990), born in County Armagh, clergyman, Archbishop of Armagh, Prelate
- Seamus Mallon (1936 - ), born in County Armagh, first deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland
- Ian Paisley (1926 - ), born in County Armagh, clergyman, Politician, second First Minister of Northern Ireland
- Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh (1759 - 1822), educated in The Royal School, Armagh. British Foreign Secretary, Secretary for War, Leader of the United Kingdom House of Commons and Chief Secretary for Ireland
- Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquess Wellesley (1760 - 1842), educated in The Royal School, Armagh. Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and Governor General of India
- Arthur Hunter Palmer, (1819 - 1898), born in County Armagh, 5th Premier of Queensland
Places of Interest
- Armagh Observatory, founded in 1790 & Armagh Planetarium, a modern working astronomical research institute with a rich heritage
- Armagh Public Library on Abbey Street in Armagh City, especially rich in 17th and 18th century English books, including Dean Jonathan Swift's own copy of the first edition of his Gulliver's Travels with his manuscript corrections
- Navan Fort, now a tree ring mound which once housed the rulers of Ulster with modern interactive visitor centre
- Saint Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathederal, founded 445, seat of the Episcopalian Archbishop of Armagh, containing the grave of Brian Boru
- Saint Patrick's Roman Catholic Cathederal, commenced in 1838, seat of the Catholic Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland, stands on a hill and dominates the local countryside
- Gosford Castle, mock medieval 19th century castle with substantial grounds
- Slieve Gullion, extinct volcano with crater lake, highest burial cairn in Ireland, views of 9 counties, with visitor centre at its foot
Gallery
External links
See also
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