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County Down

March 14, 2023

County Down (Irish: Contae an Dúin) is one of the six counties of Northern Ireland, one of the nine counties of Ulster and one of the traditional thirty-two counties of Ireland.[4][5] It covers an area of 961 sq mi (2,490 km2) and has a population of 531,665. It borders County Antrim to the north, the Irish Sea to the east, County Armagh to the west, and County Louth across Carlingford Lough to the southwest.

County Down
Contae an Dúin (Irish)
Coontie Doon/Countie Doun (Ulster-Scots)
County
Coat of arms
Nickname: 
Mourne Country
Motto(s): 
Absque Labore Nihil  (Latin)
"Nothing Without Labour"
CountryUnited Kingdom
RegionNorthern Ireland
ProvinceUlster
Establishedearly 16th century
County townDownpatrick
Area
[1]
 • Total961 sq mi (2,489 km2)
 • Rank12th
Highest elevation
(Slieve Donard)
2,790 ft (850 m)
Population
 (2011)
531,665
 • Rank4th
Time zoneUTC±0 (GMT)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+1 (BST)
Postcode area
BT
Websitediscovernorthernireland.com
Contae an Dúin is the Irish name, Countie Doun[2] and Coontie Doon[3] are Ulster Scots spellings.

In the east of the county is Strangford Lough and the Ards Peninsula. The largest town is Bangor, on the northeast coast. Three other large towns and cities are on its border: Newry lies on the western border with County Armagh, while Lisburn and Belfast lie on the northern border with County Antrim. Down contains both the southernmost point of Northern Ireland (Cranfield Point) and the easternmost point of Ireland (Burr Point).

It was one of two counties of Northern Ireland to have a Protestant majority at the 2001 census. The other Protestant majority County is County Antrim to the north.[6][failed verification] In the 2021 census, Ards and North Down had the highest number of "No Religion" responses (30.6%) for Northern Ireland.[7]

In March 2018, The Sunday Times published its list of Best Places to Live in Britain, including five in Northern Ireland. The list included three in County Down: Holywood, Newcastle, and Strangford.[8]

Toponymy

County Down takes its name from dún, the Irish word for dun or fort, which is a common root in Gaelic place names (such as Dundee, Dunfermline and Dumbarton in Scotland and Donegal and Dundalk in Ireland).[9] The fort in question was in the historic town of Downpatrick, originally known as Dún Lethglaise ("fort of the green side" or "fort of the two broken fetters").[10][11]

History

 
1885 map, with the county divided into baronies

During the 2nd century the region was home to the Voluntii tribe, according to Ptolemy. From the 400s-1177 County Down formed a central part of the kingdom of Ulaid. Ulaid was a frequent target of Viking raids in the eighth and ninth centuries, however fierce local resistance prevented the Norse from setting up permanent settlements in the region. In 1001 a fleet led by Sigtrygg Silkbeard raided much of the region in retribution for the Ulaiden's refusal to offer him sanctuary from Brian Boru the previous year.

The region was invaded by the Normans in 1177. From the 1180s-1600s the region saw waves of English and Scottish immigration. In 1569 the Irish Parliament passed "An Act for turning of Countries that be not yet Shire Grounds into Shire Grounds".[12] In 1570 a commission was issued in pursance of that statute "to survey and make enquiry in the countries and territories ... that are not shire ground, or are doubtful to what shire they belong; to limit and nominate them a shire or county; to divide them into countries, baronies or hundreds, or to join them to any existing shire or barony" "for the countries or territories of Arde,[a] as well this side Blackstafe[b] as the other side, Copelande islands,[c] the Dufferin,[d] Clandeboy,[e] Kilultoghe, the Glynes[f] with the Raughlines,[g] Momerie and Carie,[h] the Rowte M'William (McQuillan)[i] and all lands between lough Coine[j] and lough Eaghe,[k] and the water of Strangforde and the Banne.[l] To certify their proceedings before the 1st August."[13][14] The county was privately planted during the Plantation period (16th-17th centuries). During the Williamite War in Ireland (1689–1691) the county was a centre of Protestant rebellion against the rule of the Catholic James II. After forming a scratch force the Protestants were defeated by the Irish Army at the Break of Dromore and forced to retreat, leading to the whole of Down falling under Jacobite control. Later the same year Marshal Schomberg's large Williamite expedition arrived in Belfast Lough and captured Bangor. After laying siege to Carrickfergus, Schomberg marched south to Dundalk Camp, clearing County Down and much of the rest of East Ulster of Jacobite troops.

Geography

 
Mourne Mountains

Down contains two significant peninsulas: Ards Peninsula and Lecale peninsula.

The county has a coastline along Belfast Lough to the north and Carlingford Lough to the south (both of which have access to the sea). Strangford Lough lies between the Ards Peninsula and the mainland. Down also contains part of the shore of Lough Neagh. Smaller loughs include Lough Island Reavy and Castlewellan Lake near Castlewellan, Clea Lough near Killyleagh, Lough Money and Loughinisland near Downpatrick and, within the Mourne Mountains, Silent Valley Reservoir, Ben Crom Reservoir, Spelga Dam and Lough Shannagh.

The River Lagan forms most of the border with County Antrim. The River Bann also flows through the southwestern areas of the county. Other rivers include the Clanrye and Quoile.

There are several islands off the Down coast: Mew Island, Light House Island and the Copeland Islands, all of which lie to the north of the Ards Peninsula. Gunn Island lies off the Lecale coast. In addition, there are at least seventy islands (several inhabited) along with many islets - or pladdies - in Strangford Lough,[15] although folk tradition says there are 365 islands in Strangford Lough, one for every day of the year.[16]

County Down is where, in the words of the song by Percy French, "The mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea", and the area around the granite Mourne Mountains continues to be known for its scenery. Slieve Donard, at 849 m (2,785 ft), is the highest peak in the Mournes, in Northern Ireland and in the province of Ulster. Another important peak is Slieve Croob, at 534 m (1,752 ft), the source of the River Lagan.

Places of interest

 
King John's Castle on Carlingford Lough.

Subdivisions

Baronies

Main article: Barony (Ireland)
  • Ards Lower (from the Irish: Aird)
  • Ards Upper
  • Castlereagh Lower
  • Castlereagh Upper
  • Dufferin (from the Irish: Duifrian)
  • Iveagh Lower, Lower Half (from the Irish: Uíbh Eachach)
  • Iveagh Lower, Upper Half
  • Iveagh Upper, Lower Half
  • Iveagh Upper, Upper Half
  • Kinelarty (from the Irish: Cineál Fhártaigh)
  • Lecale Lower (from the Irish: Leath Cathail)
  • Lecale Upper
  • Lordship of Newry
  • Mourne (from the Irish: Múrna)

Parishes

Main article: List of civil parishes of County Down

Townlands

Main article: List of townlands in County Down

Settlements

Historical population
YearPop.±%
165313,207—    
165915,183+15.0%
1821325,410+2043.3%
1831352,012+8.2%
1841361,446+2.7%
1851320,817−11.2%
1861299,302−6.7%
1871277,294−7.4%
1881248,190−10.5%
1891224,008−9.7%
1901205,889−8.1%
1911204,303−0.8%
1926209,228+2.4%
1937210,687+0.7%
1951241,181+14.5%
1961266,939+10.7%
1966286,631+7.4%
1971311,876+8.8%
1981417,978+34.0%
1991454,411+8.7%
2001489,004+7.6%
2011531,665+8.7%
[20][21][22][23][24][25]

Cities

(population of 75,000 or more at 2001 Census)[26]

  • Belfast – the eastern suburbs of the city lie partly in County Down but mainly in County Antrim
  • Lisburn – the eastern suburbs of the city lie partly in County Down but mainly in County Antrim
  • Newry – in counties Armagh and Down, divided by the Clanrye River

Large towns

(population of 18,000 or more and under 75,000 at 2001 Census)[26]

Medium towns

(Population of 10,000 or more and under 18,000 at 2001 Census)[26]

Small towns

(Population of 4,500 or more and under 10,000 at 2001 Census)[26]

Intermediate settlements

(Population of 2,250 or more and under 4,500 at 2001 Census)[26]

Villages

(Population of 1,000 or more and under 2,250 at 2001 Census)[26]

Small villages or hamlets

(Population of less than 1,000 at 2001 Census)[26]

Administration

The county was administered by Down County Council from 1899 until the abolition of county councils in Northern Ireland in 1973.[27] County Down is now served by the following local government districts:

Transportation

Railways

 
A steam train on the Downpatrick and County Down Railway travelling through the Ulster drumlin belt near Downpatrick.

Former railways within the county include the Great Northern Railway of Ireland and Belfast and County Down Railway both of which were formed in the 19th century and were closed (or amalgamated) in the 1950s. The Downpatrick and County Down Railway operates a short section of the former Belfast and County Down line as a heritage railway between Downpatrick and Inch Abbey.

Northern Ireland Railways operates the area's modern rail network.

Sport

Association football

In association football, the NIFL Premiership, which operates as the top division, has three teams in the county: Newry City F. C., Ards F.C. and Warrenpoint Town F.C., with Banbridge Town F.C., Bangor F.C. and Lisburn Distillery F.C. competing in the NIFL Championship, which operates as levels two and three.

Gaelic games

The Down County Board administers Gaelic games in the county. Down is the most successful team north of the border in terms of All-Ireland Senior Football Championships won with five (1960, 1961, 1968, 1991 and 1994) in total. In terms of Ulster, they share that accolade with Cavan who also have 5 titles. They currently have four minor All-Ireland titles, twelve Ulster titles and one under 21 all Ireland title (1979). The Ards peninsula is a hurling stronghold.

Golf

County Down is also home to the No.1-ranked golf course, Royal County Down Golf Club, in not just Ireland, but the entire Great Britain, according to Today's Golfer.[28][29]

Former No.1 golfer in the world, Rory McIlroy,[30] originates from Holywood, which is situated in the north of the county.

In popular culture

"Star of the County Down" is a popular Irish ballad.

The county is named in the lyrics of the song "Around the World", from the film Around the World in 80 Days, which was an American top ten hit for Bing Crosby and UK top ten hit for Ronnie Hilton, both in 1957, although it was Mantovani's instrumental version which was actually used in the film. Rihanna's video "We Found Love" was filmed there in 2011, causing complaints when the singer removed her clothes to reveal a bikini.[31]

The Ulster singer Van Morrison has made reference to the County Down in the lyrics to several songs including "Northern Muse (Solid Ground)", "Mystic of the East" and the nostalgic "Coney Island", which names several places and landmarks in the county. Van Morrison also covered "Star of the County Down" with The Chieftains as a part of their collaboration album Irish Heartbeat.

C.S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia, was inspired by the Mourne Mountains. There is a Narnia trail in Kilbroney Park, in Rostrevor.[32]

Sam Hanna Bell based his novel of Ulster rural life, December Bride (1951) in the Ards peninsula. A film version of the novel, also called December Bride, was produced in 1990 and released in November 1991.

Several areas of County Down served as filming locations for the HBO series Game of Thrones including Castle Ward (Winterfell),[33] Inch Abby (Riverlands), and Tollymore Forest Park.[34]

The Academy award winning short film The Shore (2011) was filmed in and around Killough bay by director/writer Terry George and his daughter Oorlagh. The film starred Ciaran Hynds, Kerry Condon and Connleth Hill.[35]

Notable people

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Ards (territory)
  2. ^ Blackstaff River
  3. ^ Copeland Islands
  4. ^ Dufferin (barony)
  5. ^ Clandeboye
  6. ^ Glens of Antrim
  7. ^ Rathlin Island
  8. ^ Cary (barony)
  9. ^ Route, County Antrim
  10. ^ Strangford Lough
  11. ^ Lough Neagh
  12. ^ River Bann

References

  1. ^ Northern Ireland General Register Office (1975). "Table 1: Area, Buildings for Habitation and Population, 1971". Census of Population 1971; Summary Tables (PDF). Belfast: HMSO. p. 1. (PDF) from the original on 23 July 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  2. ^ 2008 Annual Report in Ulster Scots 29 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine North–South Ministerial Council.
  3. ^ 2006 Annual Report in Ulster Scots 27 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine North–South Ministerial Council.
  4. ^ Taylor, Isaac. Names and Their Histories. Rivingtons, 1898. p.111
  5. ^ Lewis, Samuel. A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland (1837); "The See of Down" 1 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine.
  6. ^ WOUTERS, Ferre (6 March 2019). "Communal counting: The Northern Ireland census". FactCheckNI. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  7. ^ "Northern Ireland Census 2021" (PDF).
  8. ^ Price, Ryan (16 March 2018). "Five places in Northern Ireland included in Best Places to Live in Britain list". The Irish Post. from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  9. ^ Long, David (2015). Lost Britain: An A-Z of Forgotten Landmarks and Lost Traditions. Michael O'Mara Books. p. 65. ISBN 9781782434412. from the original on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  10. ^ Praeger, Robert Lloyd (1900). Official Guide to County Down and the Mourne Mountains. M'Caw, Stevenson & Orr. p. 123. Retrieved 6 April 2018. Dún county down.
  11. ^ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1922). Encyclopedia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature and General Information. University Press. p. 460. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  12. ^ 11 Elizabeth I, Session 3, Chapter 9 (1569)
  13. ^ Fiat 1530, 4 May 1570
  14. ^ Similar to Fiat 1486, 4 February 1570
  15. ^ "Strangford Lough Area". Belfast Guzzi.
  16. ^ "Hands On Nature - Strangford". BBC.
  17. ^ Kearcsadmin. "St. Brigid's Day". County Kildare Archaeological Society. from the original on 28 November 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  18. ^ "Saint Patrick's Church". Encyclopedia Britannica. from the original on 12 September 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  19. ^ "Crawfordsburn Old Inn website". from the original on 5 July 2006. Retrieved 1 July 2006.
  20. ^ For 1653 and 1659 figures from Civil Survey Census of those years, Paper of Mr Hardinge to Royal Irish Academy 14 March 1865.
  21. ^ "Census for post 1821 figures". from the original on 9 March 2005. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
  22. ^ Histpop.org 7 May 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  23. ^ NISRA.gov.uk 17 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  24. ^ Lee, JJ (1981). "On the accuracy of the Pre-famine Irish censuses". In Goldstrom, J. M.; Clarkson, L. A. (eds.). Irish Population, Economy, and Society: Essays in Honour of the Late K. H. Connell. Oxford, England: Clarendon Press.
  25. ^ Mokyr, Joel; O Grada, Cormac (November 1984). "New Developments in Irish Population History, 1700–1850". The Economic History Review. 37 (4): 473–488. doi:10.1111/j.1468-0289.1984.tb00344.x. hdl:10197/1406. Archived from the original on 4 December 2012.
  26. ^ a b c d e f g . NI Neighbourhood Information Service. Archived from the original on 17 February 2010. Retrieved 23 February 2009.
  27. ^ "Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972". Legislation.gov.uk. from the original on 30 October 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  28. ^ "Golf World Top 100: Best Links Golf Courses in Great Britain and Ireland". Today's Golfer. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  29. ^ "Golf World Top 100: Best Golf Courses in Ireland". Today's Golfer. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  30. ^ "Golf Ranking - Number 1 - History since inception". Golf Today. 1 January 2021. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  31. ^ "Rihanna video: Wildflowers to be planted in north Belfast 'hopeless place'". BBC News. 30 April 2015. from the original on 16 December 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  32. ^ "Mourne Mountains and Ring of Gullion". visitmournemountains.co.uk. from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  33. ^ "HBO's Game of Thrones at Castle Ward". National Trust. from the original on 17 January 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  34. ^ "Game of Thrones Film Locations | Game of Thrones, Things To Do, Tours And Trails | A blog full of ideas and inspiration". Visit Belfast. from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  35. ^ Oscars.org[full citation needed]
  36. ^ Campbell, Cormac (8 August 2022). "Ash at 30: The Downpatrick rock band still shining". BBC.
  37. ^ Dunn, Peter M. (1 January 2000). "Sir Joseph Barcroft of Cambridge (1872–1947) and prenatal research". Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition. 82 (1): F75–F76. doi:10.1136/fn.82.1.F75. ISSN 1359-2998. PMC 1721043. PMID 10634847.
  38. ^ "Actor Colin Blakely is Dead at 56". AP News. 8 May 1987. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  39. ^ "Reverend Patrick Brontë". www.bronte.org.uk. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  40. ^ Online, Catholic. "St. Comgall - Saints & Angels". Catholic Online. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  41. ^ Club, Motherwell Football (29 October 2021). "Stephen Craigan to join Hall of Fame". Motherwell Football Club. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  42. ^ "Rotten Tomatoes: Movies | TV Shows | Movie Trailers | Reviews - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  43. ^ Traynor, Jessica. "Harry Ferguson, the 'Mad Mechanic' who invented the modern tractor". The Irish Times. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  44. ^ "Faulkner, (Arthur) Brian Deane | Dictionary of Irish Biography". www.dib.ie. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  45. ^ "The Betsy Gray Cafe". www.bangorhistoricalsocietyni.org. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  46. ^ "Bear Grylls Biography - Everything You Need To Know". Mpora. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  47. ^ "Frederick Temple Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood, 1st marquess of Dufferin and Ava | British diplomat | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  48. ^ "Celebrating the life of 'Home Rule Harrison', a forgotten British war hero and Parnell lieutenant". Belfast Media Group. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  49. ^ O'Neill, Marie (1989). "Sarah Cecilia Harrison: Artist and City Councillor". Dublin Historical Record. Old Dublin Society. 42 (2): 66–81. JSTOR 30087190 – via JSTOR.
  50. ^ Luney, Graham (8 November 2021). "David Healy will target Northern Ireland manager's job, believes Linfield legend Peter Thompson". Belfast Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  51. ^ "Businessman Neville Isdell: Money is not a motivator, but it is how you keep score in life". independent. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  52. ^ "NI Hall of Fame: Pat Jennings". IFA. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  53. ^ "Patrick Kielty - Popular Northern Irish cutting edge comedian and presenter". www.performingartistes.co.uk. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  54. ^ "Gary Lightbody, Snow Patrol: Intimate Podcast Interview". Best Of Belfast. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  55. ^ "James Martin". BBC Bitesize. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  56. ^ September 2021, Zita Ballinger Fletcher (17 August 2021). "Irish SAS Hero: Robert Blair 'Paddy' Mayne". HistoryNet. Retrieved 28 December 2021.

Further reading

  • Harris, Walter (attributed). 1744. The Ancient and Present Stare of the County of Down...'Dublin.
  • The Memoirs of John M. Regan, a Catholic Officer in the RIC and RUC, 1909–48, Joost Augusteijn, editor, District Inspector, Co. Down 1930s, 1919, ISBN 978-1-84682-069-4.

External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to County Down.
 
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for County Down.
  • County Down at Curlie
  • County Down on the interactive map of the counties of Great Britain and Ireland – Wikishire
  • "Down, a maritime county of Ireland" . Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). 1911.

March 14, 2023
county, down, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, october, 2012. This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources County Down news newspapers books scholar JSTOR October 2012 Learn how and when to remove this template message County Down Irish Contae an Duin is one of the six counties of Northern Ireland one of the nine counties of Ulster and one of the traditional thirty two counties of Ireland 4 5 It covers an area of 961 sq mi 2 490 km2 and has a population of 531 665 It borders County Antrim to the north the Irish Sea to the east County Armagh to the west and County Louth across Carlingford Lough to the southwest County Down Contae an Duin Irish Coontie Doon Countie Doun Ulster Scots CountyCoat of armsNickname Mourne CountryMotto s Absque Labore Nihil Latin Nothing Without Labour CountryUnited KingdomRegionNorthern IrelandProvinceUlsterEstablishedearly 16th centuryCounty townDownpatrickArea 1 Total961 sq mi 2 489 km2 Rank12thHighest elevation Slieve Donard 2 790 ft 850 m Population 2011 531 665 Rank4thTime zoneUTC 0 GMT Summer DST UTC 1 BST Postcode areaBTWebsitediscovernorthernireland comContae an Duin is the Irish name Countie Doun 2 and Coontie Doon 3 are Ulster Scots spellings In the east of the county is Strangford Lough and the Ards Peninsula The largest town is Bangor on the northeast coast Three other large towns and cities are on its border Newry lies on the western border with County Armagh while Lisburn and Belfast lie on the northern border with County Antrim Down contains both the southernmost point of Northern Ireland Cranfield Point and the easternmost point of Ireland Burr Point It was one of two counties of Northern Ireland to have a Protestant majority at the 2001 census The other Protestant majority County is County Antrim to the north 6 failed verification In the 2021 census Ards and North Down had the highest number of No Religion responses 30 6 for Northern Ireland 7 In March 2018 The Sunday Times published its list of Best Places to Live in Britain including five in Northern Ireland The list included three in County Down Holywood Newcastle and Strangford 8 Contents 1 Toponymy 2 History 3 Geography 3 1 Places of interest 3 2 Subdivisions 3 3 Settlements 3 3 1 Cities 3 3 2 Large towns 3 3 3 Medium towns 3 3 4 Small towns 3 3 5 Intermediate settlements 3 3 6 Villages 3 3 7 Small villages or hamlets 4 Administration 5 Transportation 5 1 Railways 6 Sport 6 1 Association football 6 2 Gaelic games 6 3 Golf 7 In popular culture 8 Notable people 9 See also 10 Notes 11 References 12 Further reading 13 External linksToponymy EditCounty Down takes its name from dun the Irish word for dun or fort which is a common root in Gaelic place names such as Dundee Dunfermline and Dumbarton in Scotland and Donegal and Dundalk in Ireland 9 The fort in question was in the historic town of Downpatrick originally known as Dun Lethglaise fort of the green side or fort of the two broken fetters 10 11 History Edit 1885 map with the county divided into baronies During the 2nd century the region was home to the Voluntii tribe according to Ptolemy From the 400s 1177 County Down formed a central part of the kingdom of Ulaid Ulaid was a frequent target of Viking raids in the eighth and ninth centuries however fierce local resistance prevented the Norse from setting up permanent settlements in the region In 1001 a fleet led by Sigtrygg Silkbeard raided much of the region in retribution for the Ulaiden s refusal to offer him sanctuary from Brian Boru the previous year The region was invaded by the Normans in 1177 From the 1180s 1600s the region saw waves of English and Scottish immigration In 1569 the Irish Parliament passed An Act for turning of Countries that be not yet Shire Grounds into Shire Grounds 12 In 1570 a commission was issued in pursance of that statute to survey and make enquiry in the countries and territories that are not shire ground or are doubtful to what shire they belong to limit and nominate them a shire or county to divide them into countries baronies or hundreds or to join them to any existing shire or barony for the countries or territories of Arde a as well this side Blackstafe b as the other side Copelande islands c the Dufferin d Clandeboy e Kilultoghe the Glynes f with the Raughlines g Momerie and Carie h the Rowte M William McQuillan i and all lands between lough Coine j and lough Eaghe k and the water of Strangforde and the Banne l To certify their proceedings before the 1st August 13 14 The county was privately planted during the Plantation period 16th 17th centuries During the Williamite War in Ireland 1689 1691 the county was a centre of Protestant rebellion against the rule of the Catholic James II After forming a scratch force the Protestants were defeated by the Irish Army at the Break of Dromore and forced to retreat leading to the whole of Down falling under Jacobite control Later the same year Marshal Schomberg s large Williamite expedition arrived in Belfast Lough and captured Bangor After laying siege to Carrickfergus Schomberg marched south to Dundalk Camp clearing County Down and much of the rest of East Ulster of Jacobite troops Geography Edit Mourne Mountains Down contains two significant peninsulas Ards Peninsula and Lecale peninsula The county has a coastline along Belfast Lough to the north and Carlingford Lough to the south both of which have access to the sea Strangford Lough lies between the Ards Peninsula and the mainland Down also contains part of the shore of Lough Neagh Smaller loughs include Lough Island Reavy and Castlewellan Lake near Castlewellan Clea Lough near Killyleagh Lough Money and Loughinisland near Downpatrick and within the Mourne Mountains Silent Valley Reservoir Ben Crom Reservoir Spelga Dam and Lough Shannagh The River Lagan forms most of the border with County Antrim The River Bann also flows through the southwestern areas of the county Other rivers include the Clanrye and Quoile There are several islands off the Down coast Mew Island Light House Island and the Copeland Islands all of which lie to the north of the Ards Peninsula Gunn Island lies off the Lecale coast In addition there are at least seventy islands several inhabited along with many islets or pladdies in Strangford Lough 15 although folk tradition says there are 365 islands in Strangford Lough one for every day of the year 16 County Down is where in the words of the song by Percy French The mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea and the area around the granite Mourne Mountains continues to be known for its scenery Slieve Donard at 849 m 2 785 ft is the highest peak in the Mournes in Northern Ireland and in the province of Ulster Another important peak is Slieve Croob at 534 m 1 752 ft the source of the River Lagan Places of interest Edit King John s Castle on Carlingford Lough Saint Patrick is reputed to be buried at Down Cathedral in Downpatrick reputedly alongside St Brigid and St Columcille 17 Saul County Down from the Irish Sabhall meaning Barn where Saint Patrick said his first eucharist in Ireland The city of Newry in the south of the county contains St Patrick s Church of Ireland 1578 overlooking the city centre from Church street on the east side of the city which is considered to be Ireland s first ever Protestant church 18 The Newry Canal is also the first summit level canal ever to be built in the British Isles Castlewellan Forest Park Cloughmore The Big Stone a 30 ton Granite boulder lies on the Slieve Martin Mountain Ridge approximately 1000 ft above Rostrevor village in Kilbroney Park Down is also home to Exploris the Northern Ireland Aquarium located in Portaferry on the shores of Strangford Lough on the Ards Peninsula The Old Inn in Crawfordsburn is one of Ireland s oldest hostelries with records dating back to 1614 It is predated however by Donaghadee s Grace Neill s which was opened in 1611 The Old inn claims that people who have stayed there include Jonathan Swift Dick Turpin Peter the Great Lord Tennyson Charles Dickens Anthony Trollope former US president George H W Bush and C S Lewis who honeymooned there 19 Tollymore Forest Park between Castlewellan and Newcastle Scrabo Tower in Newtownards was built as a memorial to Charles Stewart 3rd Marquess of Londonderry An area of County Down is known as the Bronte Homeland situated between Rathfriland and Banbridge where Patrick Bronte had his church Patrick Bronte originally Brunty father of Anne Charlotte Emily and Branwell was born in this region Subdivisions Edit Baronies Main article Barony Ireland Ards Lower from the Irish Aird Ards Upper Castlereagh Lower Castlereagh Upper Dufferin from the Irish Duifrian Iveagh Lower Lower Half from the Irish Uibh Eachach Iveagh Lower Upper Half Iveagh Upper Lower Half Iveagh Upper Upper Half Kinelarty from the Irish Cineal Fhartaigh Lecale Lower from the Irish Leath Cathail Lecale Upper Lordship of Newry Mourne from the Irish Murna Parishes Main article List of civil parishes of County Down Townlands Main article List of townlands in County Down Settlements Edit Historical populationYearPop 165313 207 165915 183 15 0 1821325 410 2043 3 1831352 012 8 2 1841361 446 2 7 1851320 817 11 2 1861299 302 6 7 1871277 294 7 4 1881248 190 10 5 1891224 008 9 7 1901205 889 8 1 1911204 303 0 8 1926209 228 2 4 1937210 687 0 7 1951241 181 14 5 1961266 939 10 7 1966286 631 7 4 1971311 876 8 8 1981417 978 34 0 1991454 411 8 7 2001489 004 7 6 2011531 665 8 7 20 21 22 23 24 25 Cities Edit population of 75 000 or more at 2001 Census 26 Belfast the eastern suburbs of the city lie partly in County Down but mainly in County Antrim Lisburn the eastern suburbs of the city lie partly in County Down but mainly in County Antrim Newry in counties Armagh and Down divided by the Clanrye RiverLarge towns Edit population of 18 000 or more and under 75 000 at 2001 Census 26 Bangor Dundonald Newtownards Medium towns Edit Population of 10 000 or more and under 18 000 at 2001 Census 26 Banbridge Downpatrick Holywood Carryduff Small towns Edit Population of 4 500 or more and under 10 000 at 2001 Census 26 Ballynahinch Comber Donaghadee Dromore Kilkeel Newcastle Saintfield Warrenpoint Intermediate settlements Edit Population of 2 250 or more and under 4 500 at 2001 Census 26 Ballygowan Castlewellan Hillsborough Killyleagh Moira Portaferry Rostrevor Saintfield Waringstown Villages Edit Population of 1 000 or more and under 2 250 at 2001 Census 26 Annahilt Annalong Ardglass Ballywalter Crossgar Drumaness Drumbeg Dundrum Gilford Greyabbey Helen s Bay Kilcoo Kircubbin Magheralin Millisle Moneyreagh Portavogie Rathfriland Small villages or hamlets Edit Population of less than 1 000 at 2001 Census 26 Atticall Annsborough Ballela Ballyhalbert Ballyhornan Ballykinler Ballymartin Bryansford Burren Cabra County Down Carrowdore Clough Cloughey Crawfordsburn Donaghcloney Dromara Gilnahirk Groomsport Hilltown Killinchy Killough Lawrencetown Leitrim Listooder Longstone Loughbrickland Loughinisland Mayobridge Saul Scarva Seaforde Sheeptown Strangford ToyeAdministration EditThe county was administered by Down County Council from 1899 until the abolition of county councils in Northern Ireland in 1973 27 County Down is now served by the following local government districts Ards and North Down Newry Mourne and Down also serves part of County Armagh Lisburn and Castlereagh also serves part of County Antrim Belfast also serves part of County Antrim Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon also serves parts of County Armagh and County Antrim Transportation EditRailways Edit A steam train on the Downpatrick and County Down Railway travelling through the Ulster drumlin belt near Downpatrick Former railways within the county include the Great Northern Railway of Ireland and Belfast and County Down Railway both of which were formed in the 19th century and were closed or amalgamated in the 1950s The Downpatrick and County Down Railway operates a short section of the former Belfast and County Down line as a heritage railway between Downpatrick and Inch Abbey Northern Ireland Railways operates the area s modern rail network Sport EditAssociation football Edit In association football the NIFL Premiership which operates as the top division has three teams in the county Newry City F C Ards F C and Warrenpoint Town F C with Banbridge Town F C Bangor F C and Lisburn Distillery F C competing in the NIFL Championship which operates as levels two and three Gaelic games Edit The Down County Board administers Gaelic games in the county Down is the most successful team north of the border in terms of All Ireland Senior Football Championships won with five 1960 1961 1968 1991 and 1994 in total In terms of Ulster they share that accolade with Cavan who also have 5 titles They currently have four minor All Ireland titles twelve Ulster titles and one under 21 all Ireland title 1979 The Ards peninsula is a hurling stronghold Golf Edit County Down is also home to the No 1 ranked golf course Royal County Down Golf Club in not just Ireland but the entire Great Britain according to Today s Golfer 28 29 Former No 1 golfer in the world Rory McIlroy 30 originates from Holywood which is situated in the north of the county In popular culture Edit Star of the County Down is a popular Irish ballad The county is named in the lyrics of the song Around the World from the film Around the World in 80 Days which was an American top ten hit for Bing Crosby and UK top ten hit for Ronnie Hilton both in 1957 although it was Mantovani s instrumental version which was actually used in the film Rihanna s video We Found Love was filmed there in 2011 causing complaints when the singer removed her clothes to reveal a bikini 31 The Ulster singer Van Morrison has made reference to the County Down in the lyrics to several songs including Northern Muse Solid Ground Mystic of the East and the nostalgic Coney Island which names several places and landmarks in the county Van Morrison also covered Star of the County Down with The Chieftains as a part of their collaboration album Irish Heartbeat C S Lewis author of The Chronicles of Narnia was inspired by the Mourne Mountains There is a Narnia trail in Kilbroney Park in Rostrevor 32 Sam Hanna Bell based his novel of Ulster rural life December Bride 1951 in the Ards peninsula A film version of the novel also called December Bride was produced in 1990 and released in November 1991 Several areas of County Down served as filming locations for the HBO series Game of Thrones including Castle Ward Winterfell 33 Inch Abby Riverlands and Tollymore Forest Park 34 The Academy award winning short film The Shore 2011 was filmed in and around Killough bay by director writer Terry George and his daughter Oorlagh The film starred Ciaran Hynds Kerry Condon and Connleth Hill 35 Notable people EditThis section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed July 2021 Learn how and when to remove this template message Ash rock band from Downpatrick 36 Paddy Ashdown former Liberal Democrats UK leader brought up near Comber Joseph Barcroft scientist Newry 37 Colin Blakely actor Bangor 38 Christine Bleakley TV Presenter was born in Newry and lived in Newtownards Patrick Bronte father of the authors Charlotte Emily and Anne Bronte Rathfriland 39 Comgall saint and founder of the great monastery at Bangor 40 Stephen Craigan Motherwell and Northern Ireland defender from Newtownards 41 Jamie Dornan actor in 50 Shades of Grey is from Holywood 42 Garth Ennis comic books author of Preacher and The Boys brought up in Holywood citation needed Harry Ferguson inventor of modern tractor Dromore 43 Brian Faulkner Baron Faulkner of Downpatrick last Prime Minister of Northern Ireland Helen s Bay 44 Patricia Ford first female MP from Northern Ireland Donaghadee Charlie Gallogly Irish professional footballer for Huddersfield Town Watford and Bournemouth Keith Gillespie former Manchester United amp Newcastle professional footballer grew up in Bangor Craig Gilroy Ulster Rugby winger raised in Bangor Betsy Gray heroine of the 1798 rebellion Gransha Bangor 45 Bear Grylls Chief Scout and TV personality was raised in Donaghadee 46 Frederick Hamilton Temple Blackwood 1st Marquess of Dufferin and Ava Governor General of Canada Viceroy of India Clandeboye Estate 47 Henry Harrison Parnellite Member of Parliament Holywood 48 Sarah Cecilia Harrison artist and first woman councillor to serve on Dublin Corporation Holywood 49 David Healy Northern Ireland record goalscorer from Killyleagh 50 Eddie Irvine racing driver Newtownards E Neville Isdell former chair and CEO of The Coca Cola Company Downpatrick 51 Pat Jennings former NI goalkeeper is from Newry 52 Patrick Kielty comedian and television presenter Dundrum 53 Gary Lightbody lead singer of Snow Patrol Bangor 54 Kathleen Isabella Mackie 1899 1996 painter and glider pilot Elizabeth McLaughlin sculptor Josh Magennis Professional footballer currently for Bolton Wanderers F C from Bangor James Martin inventor of the ejector seat from Crossgar 55 Robert Blair Mayne lieutenant colonel and commanding officer of the 1st SAS Regiment Newtownards 56 Aodh MacCathmhaoil Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of all Ireland Saul County Down Rhys McClenaghan International gymnast from Newtownards Edward McGarry Wisconsin politician Rory McIlroy major champion golfer from Holywood Deirdre McKay composer F E McWilliam sculptor Banbridge Colin Middleton Irish artist and surrealist lived in Bangor John Mitchel Irish nationalist Young Ireland movement Newry Colin Murray sports TV Presenter is from Dundonald Richard Murray Provost of Trinity College Dublin 1795 1799 born in County Down Kristian Nairn portrayed Hodor in Game of Thrones is from Lisburn Lembit Opik former Liberal Democrat MP and Shadow Welsh and Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Bangor Paul Rankin TV chef grew up in Ballywalter Ards Peninsula Francis Rawdon Hastings Governor General of India 1813 1823 Moira Margaret Ritchie Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick former leader of Social Democratic and Labour Party and MP Downpatrick Charles Russell Baron Russell of Killowen first Roman Catholic Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales Newry Zoe Salmon TV presenter and Miss UK contestant is from Bangor Neil Shawcross artist lives in Hillsborough Hans Sloane founder of the British Museum Killyleagh Robert Stewart Viscount Castlereagh British Foreign Secretary and diplomat at Congress of Vienna brought up in family seat Mount Stewart David Trimble Baron Trimble former First Minister of Northern Ireland former Ulster Unionist Party leader Bangor Foy Vance singer songwriter Bangor Charles Vane Tempest Stewart 7th Marquess of Londonderry Secretary of State for Air Leader of the House of Lords Mount Stewart Martin Waddell author of children s books lives in Newcastle County Down Paddy Wallace rugby union footballer for Ulster and Ireland Dundonald Thomas L Young U S politician 33rd Governor of the State of Ohio KillyleaghSee also EditAbbeys and priories in Northern Ireland County Down List of places in County Down Lord Lieutenant of Down High Sheriff of DownNotes Edit Ards territory Blackstaff River Copeland Islands Dufferin barony Clandeboye Glens of Antrim Rathlin Island Cary barony Route County Antrim Strangford Lough Lough Neagh River BannReferences Edit Northern Ireland General Register Office 1975 Table 1 Area Buildings for Habitation and Population 1971 Census of Population 1971 Summary Tables PDF Belfast HMSO p 1 Archived PDF from the original on 23 July 2019 Retrieved 28 August 2019 2008 Annual Report in Ulster Scots Archived 29 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine North South Ministerial Council 2006 Annual Report in Ulster Scots Archived 27 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine North South Ministerial Council Taylor Isaac Names and Their Histories Rivingtons 1898 p 111 Lewis Samuel A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland 1837 The See of Down Archived 1 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine WOUTERS Ferre 6 March 2019 Communal counting The Northern Ireland census FactCheckNI Retrieved 26 December 2021 Northern Ireland Census 2021 PDF Price Ryan 16 March 2018 Five places in Northern Ireland included in Best Places to Live in Britain list The Irish Post Archived from the original on 13 April 2021 Retrieved 2 June 2021 Long David 2015 Lost Britain An A Z of Forgotten Landmarks and Lost Traditions Michael O Mara Books p 65 ISBN 9781782434412 Archived from the original on 5 June 2020 Retrieved 6 April 2018 Praeger Robert Lloyd 1900 Official Guide to County Down and the Mourne Mountains M Caw Stevenson amp Orr p 123 Retrieved 6 April 2018 Dun county down Chisholm Hugh ed 1922 Encyclopedia Britannica A Dictionary of Arts Sciences Literature and General Information University Press p 460 Retrieved 6 April 2018 11 Elizabeth I Session 3 Chapter 9 1569 Fiat 1530 4 May 1570 Similar to Fiat 1486 4 February 1570 Strangford Lough Area Belfast Guzzi Hands On Nature Strangford BBC Kearcsadmin St Brigid s Day County Kildare Archaeological Society Archived from the original on 28 November 2017 Retrieved 6 July 2017 Saint Patrick s Church Encyclopedia Britannica Archived from the original on 12 September 2018 Retrieved 6 July 2017 Crawfordsburn Old Inn website Archived from the original on 5 July 2006 Retrieved 1 July 2006 For 1653 and 1659 figures from Civil Survey Census of those years Paper of Mr Hardinge to Royal Irish Academy 14 March 1865 Census for post 1821 figures Archived from the original on 9 March 2005 Retrieved 3 September 2009 Histpop org Archived 7 May 2016 at the Wayback Machine NISRA gov uk Archived 17 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine Lee JJ 1981 On the accuracy of the Pre famine Irish censuses In Goldstrom J M Clarkson L A eds Irish Population Economy and Society Essays in Honour of the Late K H Connell Oxford England Clarendon Press Mokyr Joel O Grada Cormac November 1984 New Developments in Irish Population History 1700 1850 The Economic History Review 37 4 473 488 doi 10 1111 j 1468 0289 1984 tb00344 x hdl 10197 1406 Archived from the original on 4 December 2012 a b c d e f g Statistical classification of settlements NI Neighbourhood Information Service Archived from the original on 17 February 2010 Retrieved 23 February 2009 Local Government Act Northern Ireland 1972 Legislation gov uk Archived from the original on 30 October 2019 Retrieved 29 November 2019 Golf World Top 100 Best Links Golf Courses in Great Britain and Ireland Today s Golfer Retrieved 26 December 2021 Golf World Top 100 Best Golf Courses in Ireland Today s Golfer Retrieved 26 December 2021 Golf Ranking Number 1 History since inception Golf Today 1 January 2021 Retrieved 26 December 2021 Rihanna video Wildflowers to be planted in north Belfast hopeless place BBC News 30 April 2015 Archived from the original on 16 December 2016 Retrieved 6 July 2017 Mourne Mountains and Ring of Gullion visitmournemountains co uk Archived from the original on 9 November 2020 Retrieved 26 March 2020 HBO s Game of Thrones at Castle Ward National Trust Archived from the original on 17 January 2021 Retrieved 21 March 2021 Game of Thrones Film Locations Game of Thrones Things To Do Tours And Trails A blog full of ideas and inspiration Visit Belfast Archived from the original on 21 January 2021 Retrieved 21 March 2021 Oscars org full citation needed Campbell Cormac 8 August 2022 Ash at 30 The Downpatrick rock band still shining BBC Dunn Peter M 1 January 2000 Sir Joseph Barcroft of Cambridge 1872 1947 and prenatal research Archives of Disease in Childhood Fetal and Neonatal Edition 82 1 F75 F76 doi 10 1136 fn 82 1 F75 ISSN 1359 2998 PMC 1721043 PMID 10634847 Actor Colin Blakely is Dead at 56 AP News 8 May 1987 Retrieved 26 December 2021 Reverend Patrick Bronte www bronte org uk Retrieved 26 December 2021 Online Catholic St Comgall Saints amp Angels Catholic Online Retrieved 26 December 2021 Club Motherwell Football 29 October 2021 Stephen Craigan to join Hall of Fame Motherwell Football Club Retrieved 26 December 2021 Rotten Tomatoes Movies TV Shows Movie Trailers Reviews Rotten Tomatoes www rottentomatoes com Retrieved 26 December 2021 Traynor Jessica Harry Ferguson the Mad Mechanic who invented the modern tractor The Irish Times Retrieved 26 December 2021 Faulkner Arthur Brian Deane Dictionary of Irish Biography www dib ie Retrieved 26 December 2021 The Betsy Gray Cafe www bangorhistoricalsocietyni org Retrieved 26 December 2021 Bear Grylls Biography Everything You Need To Know Mpora Retrieved 26 December 2021 Frederick Temple Hamilton Temple Blackwood 1st marquess of Dufferin and Ava British diplomat Britannica www britannica com Retrieved 26 December 2021 Celebrating the life of Home Rule Harrison a forgotten British war hero and Parnell lieutenant Belfast Media Group Retrieved 28 December 2021 O Neill Marie 1989 Sarah Cecilia Harrison Artist and City Councillor Dublin Historical Record Old Dublin Society 42 2 66 81 JSTOR 30087190 via JSTOR Luney Graham 8 November 2021 David Healy will target Northern Ireland manager s job believes Linfield legend Peter Thompson Belfast Telegraph ISSN 0307 1235 Retrieved 28 December 2021 Businessman Neville Isdell Money is not a motivator but it is how you keep score in life independent Retrieved 28 December 2021 NI Hall of Fame Pat Jennings IFA Retrieved 28 December 2021 Patrick Kielty Popular Northern Irish cutting edge comedian and presenter www performingartistes co uk Retrieved 28 December 2021 Gary Lightbody Snow Patrol Intimate Podcast Interview Best Of Belfast Retrieved 28 December 2021 James Martin BBC Bitesize Retrieved 28 December 2021 September 2021 Zita Ballinger Fletcher 17 August 2021 Irish SAS Hero Robert Blair Paddy Mayne HistoryNet Retrieved 28 December 2021 Further reading EditHarris Walter attributed 1744 The Ancient and Present Stare of the County of Down Dublin The Memoirs of John M Regan a Catholic Officer in the RIC and RUC 1909 48 Joost Augusteijn editor District Inspector Co Down 1930s 1919 ISBN 978 1 84682 069 4 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to County Down Wikivoyage has a travel guide for County Down County Down at Curlie County Down on the interactive map of the counties of Great Britain and Ireland Wikishire Culture Northern Ireland Industrial Heritage of County Down Down a maritime county of Ireland Encyclopaedia Britannica 11th ed 1911 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title County Down amp oldid 1144174913, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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