County Armagh Contae Ard Mhacha
Location
Statistics
Province:	Ulster
County Town:	Armagh
Area:	1,254 km²
Population (est.)	141,000[citation needed]

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 by some 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 at the extreme north-east has a larger population. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (800x659, 6 KB) Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ... During late Gaelic and early historic times Ireland was divided into provinces to replace the earlier system of the tuatha. ... Statistics Area: 24,481 km² Population (2006 estimate) 1,993,918 Ulster (Irish: Cúige Uladh, IPA: ) forms one of the four traditional provinces of Ireland. ... A county town is the capital of a county in Ireland or the United Kingdom. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 54. ... Area is a physical quantity expressing the size of a part of a surface. ... The island of Ireland was historically divided into 32 counties (Irish language contae or condae, pronounced IPA: ). After the partition of Ireland in 1921, what became the Republic of Ireland comprised 26 of these, with Northern Ireland comprising the remaining six. ... Statistics Area: 24,481 km² Population (2006 estimate) 1,993,918 Ulster (Irish: Cúige Uladh, IPA: ) forms one of the four traditional provinces of Ireland. ... Motto:  (Latin for Who will separate us?)[1] Anthem: UK: God Save the Queen Regional: (de facto) Londonderry Air Capital Belfast Largest city Belfast Official language(s) English (de facto), Ulster Scots, Irish3, Northern Ireland Sign Language, Irish Sign Language Government Constitutional monarchy  - Queen Queen Elizabeth II  - Prime Minister of... A community apple orchard originally planted for productive use during the 1920s, in Westcliff on Sea (Essex, England) An orchard is an intentional planting of trees or shrubs maintained for food production. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 54. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 54. ...

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. This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Statistics Province: Ulster County Town: Downpatrick Area: 2,448 km² Population (est. ... Statistics Province: Ulster County Town: Omagh Area: 3,155 km² Population (est. ... This article is about the town of Louth in England. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 54. ...

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 as well as the Mega Mountain,which on a clear day day can be seen as far away as County Donegal. River Blackwater is a river in Northern Ireland which enters Lough Neagh west of Derrywarragh Island and is navigable from Maghery to Blackwatertown. ... The River Bann is the largest river in Northern Ireland. ... Statistics Province: Ulster County Town: Lifford Code: DL Area: 4,841 km² Population (2006) 146,956 Website: www. ...

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.

History

Ancient Armagh was the territory of the Ulaid (also known as Voluntii, Ultonians, Ulidians, Ulstermen) before the fourth century AD. They were ruled by the Red Branch. Nearby Armagh town was their capital, Emain Macha, the Navan Fort. 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 Ulaid, also known as the Ulaidh and the Ulad, are a people of Early Ireland who gave their name to the Irish Province of Ulster. ... In the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology the Red Branch was the name of two Conchobars three houses at Emain Macha, as Old Irish had two words for red. The Cróeb Ruad or Craoibh Ruadh (dull red branch) was where the king sat; its name has survived as... Emain Macha, (Old Irish , Emuin Macha, Modern Irish Eamhain Mhacha , Emania) known in English as Navan Fort, is an ancient monument in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. ... The Ulster Cycle, formerly the Red Branch Cycle, is a large body of prose and verse centering around the traditional heroes of the Ulaid in what is now eastern Ulster. ... The Táin Bó Cúailnge, or Cattle Raid of Cooley, is the central tale in the Ulster Cycle, one of the four great cycles that make up the surviving corpus of Irish mythology. ...

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. The Uí Néill (Irish for of the grandson (descendant) of Niall) were an Irish dynasty who claimed descent from Niall Noigiallach (Niall of the Nine Hostages), a semi-historical High King of Ireland who died about 405. ...

Armagh was the seat of St. Patrick, and in Roman Catholic tradition, continues to be his see. Statue of Saint Patrick Saint Patrick (died March 17, 462, 492, or 493), is the patron saint of Ireland. ... The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic Church (see terminology below) is the Christian Church in full communion with the Bishop of Rome, currently Pope Benedict XVI. It traces its origins to the original Christian community founded by Jesus Christ and led by the Twelve Apostles, in particular Saint Peter. ...

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. Northern Ireland is divided into 26 Local Council areas. ... The Armagh City and District Council is a local council in County Armagh in Northern Ireland. ... Craigavon Borough Council is a Local Council in County Armagh in Northern Ireland. ... Newry and Mourne District Council is a local council in Northern Ireland covering an area including much of the south of County Armagh and the south of County Down and has a population of 87,000. ...

Cities and Towns

The city of Armagh, known as the "city of scholars and saints" is the centre of Christianity on the island of 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 sixth century A.D., but the present building is mainly a result of 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 Catholic Primate of All Ireland and was constructed in the Victorian-era. WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 54. ... Christianity is a monotheistic[1] religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament. ... A cathedral is a religious building for worship, specifically of a denomination with an episcopal hierarchy, such as the Roman Catholic, Anglican and some Lutheran churches, which serves as a bishops seat, and thus as the central church of a diocese. ... Statue of Saint Patrick Saint Patrick (died March 17, 462, 492, or 493), is the patron saint of Ireland. ... Saint Quentin is the patron saint of locksmiths and is also invoked against coughs and sneezes. ... Church of Ireland The Church of Ireland (Irish: Eaglais na hÉireann) is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion, operating seamlessly across the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. ... The term Anglican describes those people and churches following the religious traditions of the Church of England, especially following the Reformation. ... Church of Ireland The Church of Ireland (Irish: Eaglais na hÉireann) is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion, operating seamlessly across the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. ... The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ... The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh is a senior Irish cleric of the Roman Catholic Church. ...

Craigavon, Portadown, Lurgan, Tandragee and Loughall are also significant towns in County Armagh. WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 54. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 54. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 54. ... Tandragee (Tóin re Gaoith in Irish) (also spelt Tanderagee) is a large village in County Armagh, Northern Ireland, on the Cusher River. ... The so-called Loughall Martyrs were a group of eight men from the Provisional IRAs East Tyrone Brigade who, after conducting a series of guerrilla attacks, were ambushed and killed on May 8 1987 by British special forces, the SAS. Membership The East Tyrone Brigade consisted of: Commander Patrick...

See also:

• Towns in County Armagh
• Villages in County Armagh
• List of places in County Armagh

This is a list of cities, towns and villages in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. ...

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 For the UK post-rock band, see Troubles (band) The Troubles is a term used to describe the latest instalment of periodic communal violence involving republican and loyalist paramilitary organisations, the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), the British Army and others in Northern Ireland from the late 1960s until the late... A Republican mural in Belfast depicting the hunger strikes of 1981. ... An Irish nationalist is generally one who seeks (greater) independence of Ireland from Great Britain, including since 1921 the goal of a United Ireland. ... The Provisional IRA South Armagh Brigade was the most elite and experienced IRA brigade during the Troubles. ...

Notable residents

• George Buchanan Armstrong, (1822-1871), born in County Armagh, developed new system of sorting mail on trains in the United States.^[1]
• Samuel Knox, (1756-1832), born in County Armagh, Presbyterian clergyman, school principal, and author.^[1]

See Also: Presbyterianism is part of the Reformed churches family of denominations of Christian Protestantism based on the teachings of John Calvin which traces its institutional roots to the Scottish Reformation, especially as led by John Knox. ... see also Holy Orders The following terms have traditional meanings for the Anglican Church, and possibly beyond: A churchman is in principle a member of a church congregation, in practice someone in holy orders. ...

• Natives of County Armagh

References

• 1. ^ ^{a b} (1963) Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896. Marquis Who's Who. 

External links

• Armagh and Down Tourism
• Armagh history

See also

• The Royal School, Armagh