County Armagh | |
|---|---|
 Coat of arms | |
| Nickname: The Orchard County | |
 | |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Region | Northern Ireland |
| Province | Ulster |
| Established | 1584/5 |
| County town | Armagh |
| Area | |
• Total | 512 sq mi (1,327 km2) |
| • Rank | 27th |
| Highest elevation | 1,880 ft (573 m) |
| Population (2021) | 194,394 |
| • Rank | 10th[2] |
| • Density | 380/sq mi (146/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC±0 (GMT) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+1 (BST) |
| Postcode area | |
| Contae Ard Mhacha is theIrish name;Coontie Armagh[3] andCoontie Airmagh[4] areUlster Scots spellings. | |
County Armagh (Irish:Contae Ard Mhacha[ˌaːɾˠd̪ˠˈwaxə]) is one of the sixcounties of Northern Ireland and one of the traditional thirty-twocounties of Ireland. It is located in theprovince ofUlster and adjoins the southern shore ofLough Neagh. It borders the Northern Irish counties ofTyrone to the west andDown to the east. The county bordersLouth andMonaghan to the south and southwest, which are in theRepublic of Ireland. It is named after itscounty town,Armagh, which derives from theIrishArd Mhacha, meaning "Macha's height". Macha was asovereignty goddess inIrish mythology and is said to have been buried on a wooded hill around which the town of Armagh grew.[5] County Armagh is colloquially known as the "Orchard County" because of its many apple orchards.[6]
The county covers an area of 1,327 km2 (512 sq mi), making it the smallest of Northern Ireland's six counties by size and thesixth-smallest county on the island of Ireland. With a population of 194,394 as of the2021 census,[7] it is the fourth-most populous county in both Northern Ireland and Ulster. It is the10th most populous of Ireland's 32 traditional counties, as well as the fifth-most densely populated. In addition to the city of Armagh and the western portion of the city ofNewry, notable towns in the county includeLurgan,Portadown andCraigavon.
The nameArmagh derives from the IrishArd Macha, meaningMacha's height/Macha's high place. Macha is a mythological figure who is mentioned inThe Book of the Taking of Ireland. Macha is also said to have been responsible for the construction of the hill site ofEmain Macha (now Navan Fort nearArmagh City) to serve as the capital of theUlaid kings (who give their name toUlster) and is believed to be the high place from which the county takes its name.
From its highest point atSlieve Gullion, in the south of the county, Armagh's land falls away from its rugged south with Carrigatuke, Lislea and Camlough mountains, to rollingdrumlin country in the middle and west of the county. In the north it gives way to flatlands where rolling flats and small hills reach sea level atLough Neagh.
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County Armagh's boundary withLouth is marked by the ruggedRing of Gullion rising in the south of the county, whilst much of its boundary with countiesMonaghan andDown goes unnoticed with seamless continuance of drumlins and small lakes. TheRiver Blackwater marks the border withCounty Tyrone, and Lough Neagh otherwise marks the county's northern boundary.
Numerous uninhabited islands are located in the county's section of Lough Neagh: Coney Island Flat, Croaghan Flat, Padian, Phil Roe's Flat, and the Shallow Flat.
Despite lying in the east of Ireland, Armagh enjoys anoceanic climate strongly influenced by the Gulf Stream: featuring damp mild winters, and temperate, wet summers. Overall temperatures rarely drop below freezing during daylight hours, though frost is not infrequent in the months November to 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.
On 22 July 2021 the record for highest outside air temperature ever measured in Northern Ireland was set in Armagh City when a reading of 31.4 °C was registered atArmagh Observatory's weather station.[8]
| Climate data for County Armagh | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C | 7 | 7.6 | 9.7 | 12.2 | 15.2 | 17.7 | 19.6 | 19.2 | 16.6 | 13 | 9.5 | 7.6 | 12.9 |
| Mean daily minimum °C | 1.7 | 1.7 | 2.9 | 4 | 6.3 | 9.1 | 11.4 | 11 | 9 | 6.7 | 3.5 | 2.4 | 5.8 |
| Averageprecipitation mm | 79.8 | 57.5 | 64.9 | 55.4 | 54.4 | 55.7 | 52.3 | 71.9 | 67.1 | 81.1 | 72.1 | 83.4 | 759.4 |
| Mean daily maximum °F | 45 | 45.7 | 49.5 | 54.0 | 59.4 | 63.9 | 67.3 | 66.6 | 61.9 | 55 | 49.1 | 45.7 | 55.2 |
| Mean daily minimum °F | 35.1 | 35.1 | 37.2 | 39 | 43.3 | 48.4 | 52.5 | 52 | 48 | 44.1 | 38.3 | 36.3 | 42.4 |
| Averageprecipitation inches | 3.14 | 2.26 | 2.56 | 2.18 | 2.14 | 2.19 | 2.06 | 2.83 | 2.64 | 3.19 | 2.84 | 3.28 | 29.90 |
| Source:[9] | |||||||||||||
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1653 | 5,904 | — |
| 1659 | 6,748 | +14.3% |
| 1821 | 197,427 | +2825.7% |
| 1831 | 220,134 | +11.5% |
| 1841 | 232,393 | +5.6% |
| 1851 | 196,084 | −15.6% |
| 1861 | 190,086 | −3.1% |
| 1871 | 179,260 | −5.7% |
| 1881 | 163,177 | −9.0% |
| 1891 | 143,289 | −12.2% |
| 1901 | 125,392 | −12.5% |
| 1911 | 120,291 | −4.1% |
| 1926 | 110,070 | −8.5% |
| 1937 | 108,815 | −1.1% |
| 1951 | 114,154 | +4.9% |
| 1961 | 117,594 | +3.0% |
| 1966 | 125,164 | +6.4% |
| 1971 | 133,969 | +7.0% |
| 1981 | 133,230 | −0.6% |
| 1991 | 141,585 | +6.3% |
| 2001 | 162,957 | +15.1% |
| 2011 | 174,792 | +7.3% |
| 2021 | 194,394 | +11.2% |
| [10][11][12][13][14][15] | ||
Ancient Armagh was the territory of theUlaid (also known as Voluntii, Ultonians, Ulidians, Ulstermen) before the fourth century AD. It was ruled by theRed Branch, whose capital wasEmain Macha (or Navan Fort) near Armagh. The site, and subsequently the city, were named after thegoddessMacha. The Red Branch play an important role in theUlster Cycle, as well as theCattle 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 chiefIrish clans of the county were descendants of the Collas, the O'Hanlons andMac Cana, and theUí Néill, 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. The area around the base ofSlieve Gullion near Newry also became home to a large number of the Clan McGuinness as they were dispossessed of hereditary lands held in theCounty Down.
St. Patrick is considered the first bishop of the Diocese of Armagh. The 9th-century Irishilluminated manuscriptBook of Armagh (also known as theCannon of Patrick) contains accounts of Patricks' life, his Confessio and a complete New Testament.[16] The book is now held at the library ofTrinity College Dublin.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, County Armagh was a major center ofguerrilla warfare,cattle raiding, andbrigandage by localRapparees; including CountRedmond O'Hanlon, Cormacke Raver O'Murphy, andSéamus Mór Mac Murchaidh.[17]
County Armagh is presently one of fourcounties of Northern Ireland to have a majority of the population from aCatholic background, according to the2011 census.
The southern part of the county has been a stronghold of support for theProvisional IRA, earning it the nickname "Bandit Country".[18] South Armagh is predominantlynationalist, with much of the population being opposed to any form of British presence, especially that of amilitary nature. The most prominent opposition to British rule was theProvisional IRA South Armagh Brigade.[19]
On 10 March 2009, theContinuity Irish Republican Army (CIRA), a republican paramilitary group that emerged from a split in the Provisional IRA, claimed responsibility for the fatal shooting of aPSNI officer inCraigavon, County Armagh—the first police fatality in Northern Ireland since 1998. The officer was fatally shot by a sniper as he and a colleague investigated "suspicious activity" at a house nearby when a window was smashed by youths causing the occupant to phone the police. The PSNI officers responded to the emergency call, giving a CIRA sniper the chance to shoot and kill officer Stephen Carroll.[20][21]
The county was administered byArmagh County Council from 1899 until the abolition of county councils in Northern Ireland in 1973.[22]
County Armagh remains officially used for purposes such as aLieutenancy area – the county retains alord lieutenant who acts as representative of theBritish Monarch in the county.[23]
Currently the county is covered for local government purposes by threedistrict councils, namelyArmagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, approximately the western third ofNewry, Mourne and Down Council and a part ofMid Ulster District Council, centred aroundPeatlands Park.
Armagh ceased to serve as anelectoral constituency in 1983 but remains the core of theNewry and Armagh constituency represented atWestminster and theNewry and Armagh constituency represented in theNorthern Ireland Assembly. County Armagh also remains as a district for legal and property purposes; however, itsbaronies no longer have any administrative use.
The -XZ suffix is currently used onvehicle registration plates for vehicles registered in County Armagh. Other suffixes have been -IB and -LZ. These marks are followed by up to four numbers, e.g., JLZ 6789
| Religious Background in Armagh (2021) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Religion | Per cent | |||
| Catholic | 58.2% | |||
| Protestant and Other Christian | 34.0% | |||
| None | 6.7% | |||
| Other faiths | 1.2% | |||
As of the 2021 Census, County Armagh recorded a population of 194,394.[7] It is one of four counties in Northern Ireland with a Catholic majority, with 58% of the population coming from a Catholic community background. Around 10% of the population was born outside the United Kingdom and Ireland, mainly immigrants from the European Union and concentrated in the Craigavon urban area (Lurgan,Portadown andCraigavon).
| Religion or religion brought up in | Number | (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Catholic | 113,093 | 58.2 |
| Protestant and Other Christian | 66,021 | 34.0 |
| None (no religion) | 13,018 | 6.7 |
| Other religion | 2,262 | 1.2 |
| Total | 194,394 | 100.0 |
| Religion | Number | (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Christian | 166,538 | 85.7 |
| Catholic | 107,058 | 55.1 |
| Church of Ireland | 24,437 | 12.6 |
| Presbyterian | 17,560 | 9.0 |
| Methodist | 4,194 | 2.2 |
| Other Christian (including Christian related) | 13,290 | 6.8 |
| Protestant and Other Christian: Total | 59,481 | 30.6 |
| Other | 2,037 | 1.0 |
| Islam | 882 | 0.5 |
| Hinduism | 168 | 0.09 |
| Other religions | 986 | 0.5 |
| None/not stated | 25,820 | 13.3 |
| No religion | 22,944 | 11.8 |
| Religion not stated | 2,876 | 1.5 |
| Total | 194,394 | 100.0 |
| Ethnic group | Number | (%) |
|---|---|---|
| White: Total | 188,347 | 96.9 |
| White: British/Irish/Northern Irish/English/Scottish/Welsh (with or without non-UK or Irish national identities) | 172,923 | 89.0 |
| White: Other | 14,542 | 7.5 |
| White:Irish Traveller | 675 | 0.3 |
| White:Roma | 207 | 0.1 |
| Asian orAsian British: Total | 2,445 | 1.3 |
| Asian/Asian British:Indian | 615 | 0.3 |
| Asian/Asian British:Chinese | 589 | 0.3 |
| Asian/Asian British:Filipino | 405 | 0.2 |
| Asian/Asian British:Pakistani | 192 | 0.01 |
| Asian/Asian British:Arab | 107 | 0.055 |
| Asian/Asian British: Other Asian | 537 | 0.3 |
| Black orBlack British: Total | 1,597 | 0.8 |
| Black/Black British:Black African | 1,086 | 0.6 |
| Black/Black British: Black Other | 511 | 0.2 |
| Mixed: Total | 1,480 | 0.8 |
| Other: Any other ethnic group: Total | 522 | 0.3 |
| Total | 194,394 | 100.0 |
| Country of birth | Number | (%) |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom and Ireland | 175,548 | 90.3 |
| Northern Ireland | 162,213 | 83.4 |
| England | 5,931 | 3.1 |
| Scotland | 1,071 | 0.6 |
| Wales | 234 | 0.1 |
| Republic of Ireland | 6,099 | 3.1 |
| Europe | 14,440 | 7.4 |
| European Union | 13,946 | 7.2 |
| Other non-EU countries | 494 | 0.2 |
| Rest of World | 4,406 | 2.3 |
| Middle East andAsia | 2,356 | 1.2 |
| Africa | 921 | 0.5 |
| North America,Central America andCaribbean | 649 | 0.3 |
| Antarctica,Oceania and Other | 250 | 0.1 |
| South America | 230 | 0.1 |
| Total | 194,394 | 100.0 |
| Main language | Usual residents aged 3+ | (%) |
|---|---|---|
| English | 171,713 | 92.0 |
| Polish | 3,818 | 2.0 |
| Lithuanian | 2,860 | 1.5 |
| Portuguese | 1,745 | 0.9 |
| Bulgarian | 1,575 | 0.8 |
| Romanian | 725 | 0.4 |
| Irish | 564 | 0.3 |
| All other languages | 3,677 | 2.0 |
| Total (usual residents aged 3+) | 186,677 | 100.0 |
| Ability in Irish | Number | (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Speaks, reads, writes and understands Irish | 9,803 | 5.3 |
| Speaks and reads but does not write Irish | 1,206 | 0.6 |
| Speaks but does not read or write Irish | 4,952 | 2.7 |
| Understands but does not read, write or speak Irish | 13,150 | 7.0 |
| Other combination of skills | 2,553 | 1.4 |
| Has some knowledge of Irish: Total | 31,665 | 17.0 |
| No ability in Irish | 155,012 | 83.0 |
| Total (usual residents aged 3+) | 186,677 | 100.0 |
| Ability in Ulster Scots | Number | (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Speaks, reads, writes and understands Ulster Scots | 1,653 | 0.9 |
| Speaks and reads but does not write Ulster Scots | 723 | 0.4 |
| Speaks but does not read or write Ulster Scots | 1,795 | 1.0 |
| Understands but does not read, write or speak Ulster Scots | 8,813 | 4.7 |
| Other combination of skills | 1,310 | 0.7 |
| Has some knowledge of Ulster Scots: Total | 14,294 | 7.7 |
| No ability in Ulster Scots | 172,383 | 92.3 |
| Total (usual residents aged 3+) | 186,677 | 100.0 |
| National identity | Number | % |
|---|---|---|
| Irish only | 75,841 | 39.0% |
| British only | 48,076 | 24.7% |
| Northern Irish only | 32,569 | 16.8% |
| British and Northern Irish only | 11,039 | 5.7% |
| Irish and Northern Irish only | 3,327 | 1.7% |
| British, Irish and Northern Irish only | 1,521 | 0.8% |
| British and Irish only | 773 | 0.4% |
| Other identity | 21,248 | 10.9% |
| Total | 194,394 | Total |
| All Irish identities | 82,057 | 42.2% |
| All British identities | 62,771 | 32.3% |
| All Northern Irish identities | 49,424 | 25.4% |
Baronies  Main article:Baronies of Ireland Parishes Main article:List of civil parishes of County Armagh Townlands Main article:List of townlands in County Armagh
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_-_geograph.org.uk_-_195736.jpg)
County Armagh is traversed by two major highways – the M1 linking Belfast toDungannon crosses the north of the county whilst the A1/N1 fromBelfast toDublin runs in the far south east. Other major roads in the county include theA3 andA29.
Armagh once had a well-developed railway network with connections to, among others, Armagh City,Culloville,Goraghwood,Markethill,Vernersbridge,Tynan (seeHistory of rail transport in Ireland) but today onlyNewry (Bessbrook),Portadown,Poyntzpass,Scarva, andLurgan are served by rail.
There is a possible railway re-opening from Portadown toArmagh in the future.[29] Government Minister for theDepartment for Regional Development,Danny Kennedy MLA indicates railway restoration plans of the line fromPortadown toArmagh.[30]
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'sEnterprise service provides connections to Dublin in little over an hour and Belfast in little over forty minutes, several times daily.
County Armagh is traversed by theUlster Canal and theNewry Canal which are not fully open to navigation.
In association football, theNIFL Premiership, which operates as the top division, has one team in the county:Glenavon, withPortadown,Annagh United,Armagh City,Dollingstown,Loughgall andLurgan Celtic competing in theNIFL Championship, which operates as levels two and three.
TheArmagh County Board of theGaelic Athletic Association orArmagh GAA organisesGaelic games in the county.
_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1590572.jpg)
Places adjacent to County Armagh | |
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The counties are listed perprovince | ||
 Connacht |  | |
 Leinster | ||
 Munster | ||
 Ulster | ||
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Places of Interest in County Armagh | ||
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| Castles and military sites |  | |
| Churches and religious sites |
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| Museums and cultural sites |
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| Natural landmarks and outdoor spaces | ||
| Prehistoric landmarks | ||
| Stately homes |
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| Transport and industry | ||
| International | |
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| National | |
| Geographic | |
54°21′00″N6°39′17″W / 54.3499°N 6.6546°W /54.3499; -6.6546
