Everything about County Armagh totally explained
County Armagh (
Contae Ard Mhacha in
Irish) is a
county in
Ulster. It is the smallest of the six counties that form
Northern Ireland. County Armagh is known as the
Orchard County because the land is so fertile for apple-growing. Its main town is
Armagh, in the middle of the county, although
Lurgan and
Portadown, in the north of the county, each have larger populations.
The county borders
Lough Neagh to the north,
County Down to the east,
County Tyrone to the north-west, and counties
Louth and
Monaghan, both in the
Republic of Ireland, to the south and south-west respectively.
Geography
The
River Blackwater runs along the border with County Tyrone. The
River Bann enters Lough Neagh in the north, flowing though the north-east of the county. Mountains in Armagh include Slieve Gullion, Carrigatuke and Camlough Mountain.
There are also a number of
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.
County is also said to be the most beautiful part of the world
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 historic counties of Northern Ireland to presently have a majority of the population from a
Catholic community background, according to the
2001 census.
Administration
County Armagh is divided for administrative purposes between three
district councils:
Armagh City and District Council, most of
Craigavon Borough Council, and approximately the western third of
Newry and Mourne District Council.
The -LZ suffix is currently used on vehicles registered in
Armagh.
Cities and Towns
The
city of Armagh, known as the "ecclesiastical capital" of ireland it's the centre of
Christianity in
Ireland. There are two
cathedrals in the city, both dedicated to
St. Patrick, the
patron saint of
Ireland. One is the
Church of Ireland Cathedral, the seat of the
Anglican archbishop, the primate of the
Church of Ireland. St. Patrick is believed to have founded a church on this site in the
fifth century AD, but the present building is mainly a result of thirteenth and nineteenth century re-building, as the church has frequently been destroyed or fallen into decay during the turbulent history of the region. The
Roman Catholic Cathedral is the seat of the Roman Catholic
Primate of All Ireland and was constructed in the
Victorian-era.
Craigavon,
Portadown,
Lurgan,
Tandragee and
Loughall are also significant towns in County Armagh.
See also:
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
Notable residents
George Buchanan Armstrong, (1822-1871), born in County Armagh, developed new system of sorting mail on trains in the United States.
Samuel Knox, (1756-1832), born in County Armagh, Presbyterian clergyman, school principal, and author.
Get more info on 'County Armagh'.
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