cities

County Armagh

Open on map More cities Spin a random place Ask WorldAI

Facts

Rank

—

Coordinates

—

Source

WBP almanac

External sources

Wikivoyage

Media

From Wikipedia3,365 words

WBP editorial3

A Walk Through the Orchard Legacy

The nickname “The Orchard County” is more than a placename; it colours how locals treat the landscape. Small, privately‑run orchards pepper the rolling fields, especially around the southern fringe near the Lough Neagh edge. In late summer, the scent of ripening apples drifts through village lanes, inviting spontaneous stops at family‑run cider stalls. These micro‑enterprises often double as community hubs, where a quick chat over a glass of locally pressed perry can reveal the subtle distinctions between county‑wide varieties. For the visitor, timing a short detour to a roadside orchard in early September offers a tactile sense of the county’s agrarian rhythm that guidebooks rarely capture.

Cross‑Border Curiosities

County Armagh’s borders with both Northern Ireland and the Republic create a fluid cultural seam. A short drive south‑west brings you to the border towns where Irish‑language road signs appear alongside English ones, and pubs on either side of the line serve subtly different brews reflecting distinct taxation regimes. This juxtaposition is most vivid in the market towns that straddle the line, where shoppers can compare the price of a kilogram of locally sourced pork or a slice of soda bread within minutes. Traversing these border crossings on foot or bike not only highlights the practicalities of a divided island but also underscores the shared culinary and linguistic threads that bind the communities together.

Seasonal Hiking: From Slieve Gullion to the Lough

While Slieve Gullion dominates the county’s elevation chart, the surrounding foothills provide a network of lesser‑known trails that link the highlands to the lakeshore. Autumn brings a carpet of amber heather across the ridgelines, and the temperature contrast between the summit and the Lough Neagh shoreline creates a unique micro‑climate for hardy wildflowers. Early‑morning treks in May reveal a chorus of skylarks that nest in the open grasslands, an audible reminder of the county’s pastoral heritage. Pack a lightweight rain jacket; the weather can pivot quickly from crisp sun to mist, and the shifting vistas reward those who linger long enough to photograph the changing light on the lake’s glassy surface.

Introduction

County in Northern Ireland County in Northern Ireland, United KingdomCounty Armagh Contae Ard Mhacha (Irish)Coontie Airmagh/Armagh (Ulster-Scots)County Coat of armsNickname: The Orchard CountyCoordinates: 54°21′N 6°39′W / 54.35°N 6.65°W / 54.35; -6.65CountryUnited KingdomRegionNorthern IrelandProvinceUlsterEstablished1584/5County townArmaghArea • Total512 sq mi (1,327 km2) • Rank27thHighest elevation (Slieve Gullion)1,880 ft (573 m)Population (2021) • Total194,394 • Rank10th • Density379.4/sq mi (146.5/km2)Time zoneUTC±0 (GMT) • Summer (DST)UTC+1 (BST)Postcode areaBTContae Ard Mhacha is the Irish name; Coontie Armagh and Coontie Airmagh are Ulster Scots spellings. County Armagh (Irish: Contae Ard Mhacha) is one of the six counties of Northern Ireland and one of the traditional thirty-two counties of Ireland. It is located in the province of Ulster and adjoins the southern shore of Lough Neagh. It borders the Northern Irish counties of Tyrone to the west and Down to the east. The county borders Louth and Monaghan to the south and southwest, which are in the Republic of Ireland. It is named after its county town, Armagh, which derives from the Irish Ard Mhacha, meaning "Macha's height". Macha was a sovereignty goddess in Irish mythology and is said to have been buried on a wooded hill around which the town of Armagh grew. County Armagh is colloquially known as the "Orchard County" because of its many apple orchards. The county covers an area of 1,327 km2 (512 mi2), making it the smallest of Northern Ireland's six counties by size and the sixth-smallest county on the island of Ireland. With a population of 194,394 as of the 2021 census, it is the fourth-most populous county in both Northern Ireland and Ulster. It is the 10th 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 of Newry, notable towns in the county include Lurgan, Portadown and Craigavon.

Geography and features

[edit] 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. In the north it gives way to flatlands where rolling flats and small hills reach sea level at Lough Neagh. An orchard near Drummannon 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 counties Monaghan and Down goes unnoticed with seamless continuance of drumlins and small lakes. The River Blackwater marks the border with County 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. Climate[edit] Despite lying in the east of Ireland, Armagh enjoys an oceanic 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 at Armagh Observatory's weather station. 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 Average precipitation 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 Average precipitation 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:

History

[edit] Historical populationYearPop.±%16535,904—    16596,748+14.3%1821197,427+2825.7%1831220,134+11.5%1841232,393+5.6%1851196,084−15.6%1861190,086−3.1%1871179,260−5.7%1881163,177−9.0%1891143,289−12.2%1901125,392−12.5%1911120,291−4.1%1926110,070−8.5%1937108,815−1.1%1951114,154+4.9%1961117,594+3.0%1966125,164+6.4%1971133,969+7.0%1981133,230−0.6%1991141,585+6.3%2001162,957+15.1%2011174,792+7.3%2021194,394+11.2% 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 clans of the county were descendants of the Collas, the O'Hanlons and Mac Cana, and the Uí 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 of Slieve Gullion near Newry also became home to a large number of the Clan McGuinness as they were dispossessed of hereditary lands held in the County Down. St. Patrick is considered the first bishop of the Diocese of Armagh. The 9th-century Irish illuminated manuscript Book of Armagh (also known as the Cannon of Patrick) contains accounts of Patricks' life, his Confessio and a complete New Testament. The book is now held at the library of Trinity College Dublin. During the 17th and 18th centuries, County Armagh was a major center of guerrilla warfare, cattle raiding, and brigandage by local Rapparees; including Count Redmond O'Hanlon, Cormacke Raver O'Murphy, and Séamus Mór Mac Murchaidh. County Armagh is presently one of four counties of Northern Ireland to have a majority of the population from a Catholic background, according to the 2011 census. The Troubles[edit] Main article: The Troubles in Armagh The southern part of the county has been a stronghold of support for the Provisional IRA, earning it the nickname "Bandit Country". South Armagh is predominantly nationalist, with much of the population being opposed to any form of British presence, especially that of a military nature. The most prominent opposition to British rule was the Provisional IRA South Armagh Brigade. On 10 March 2009, the Continuity Irish Republican Army (CIRA), a republican paramilitary group that emerged from a split in the Provisional IRA, claimed responsibility for the fatal shooting of a PSNI officer in Craigavon, 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.

Administration

[edit] The county was administered by Armagh County Council from 1899 until the abolition of county councils in Northern Ireland in 1973. County Armagh remains officially used for purposes such as a Lieutenancy area – the county retains a lord lieutenant who acts as representative of the British Monarch in the county. Currently the county is covered for local government purposes by three district councils, namely Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, approximately the western third of Newry, Mourne and Down Council and a part of Mid Ulster District Council, centred around Peatlands Park. Armagh ceased to serve as an electoral constituency in 1983 but remains the core of the Newry and Armagh constituency represented at Westminster and the Newry and Armagh constituency represented in the Northern Ireland Assembly. County Armagh also remains as a district for legal and property purposes; however, its baronies no longer have any administrative use. The -XZ suffix is currently used on vehicle 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

Demography

[edit] 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. 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 and Craigavon). Community background and religion[edit] Religion or religion brought up in (2021 Census) 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 (2021 Census) 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 Ethnicity[edit] Ethnic groups (2021 Census) 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 or Asian 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 or Black 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[edit] Country of birth (2021 Census) 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 and Asia 2,356 1.2 Africa 921 0.5 North America, Central America and Caribbean 649 0.3 Antarctica, Oceania and Other 250 0.1 South America 230 0.1 Total 194,394 100.0 Languages spoken[edit] Main language of all usual residents aged 3 or over (2021 Census) 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 Knowledge of Irish[edit] Ability in Irish of all usual residents aged 3 or over (2021 Census) 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 In County Armagh, 2.95% claim to use Irish daily and 0.29% claim Irish is their main language. Knowledge of Ulster Scots[edit] Ability in Ulster Scots of all usual residents aged 3 or over (2021 Census) 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 0.98% claim to use Ulster Scots daily in County Armagh. National identity[edit] National identity (2021 Census) 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%

Settlements

[edit] Main article: List of places in County Armagh Large towns[edit] (population of 18,000 or more and under 75,000 at 2001 Census) Newry (though part of the settlement is in County Down) Craigavon, includes: Lurgan Portadown Medium towns[edit] (population of 10,000 or more and under 18,000 at 2001 Census) Armagh (has city status) Small towns[edit] (population of 4,500 or more and under 10,000 at 2001 Census) none Intermediate settlements[edit] (population of 2,250 or more and under 4,500 at 2001 Census) Bessbrook Keady Richhill Tandragee Villages[edit] (population of 1,000 or more and under 2,250 at 2001 Census) Crossmaglen Markethill Mullavilly/Laurelvale Poyntzpass (a part of the settlement is in County Down) Small villages or hamlets[edit] (population of fewer than 1,000 at 2001 Census) Acton Annaghmore Annahugh Aughanduff Ardress Ballymacnab Bannfoot Belleeks Blackwatertown Bleary Broomhill Camlough Clonmore Charlemont Cladymore Creggan Cullaville Cullyhanna Darkley Derryadd Derryhale Derrymacash Derrymore Derrynoose Derrytrasna Dorsey Dromintee Drumnacanvy Edenaveys Forkill Hamiltonsbawn Jonesborough Killean Killylea Kilmore Lislea Lisnadill Loughgall Loughgilly Madden Maghery Meigh Middletown Milford Mountnorris Mullaghbawn Mullaghbrack Mullaghglass Newtownhamilton Scotch Street Silverbridge Tartaraghan Tynan Whitecross  

Transport

[edit] The M1 near Lurgan Portadown railway station County Armagh is traversed by two major highways – the M1 linking Belfast to Dungannon crosses the north of the county whilst the A1/N1 from Belfast to Dublin runs in the far south east. Other major roads in the county include the A3 and A29. Armagh once had a well-developed railway network with connections to, among 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. There is a possible railway re-opening from Portadown to Armagh in the future. Government Minister for the Department for Regional Development, Danny Kennedy MLA indicates railway restoration plans of the line from Portadown to Armagh. 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 an hour and Belfast in little over forty minutes, several times daily.

People associated with County Armagh

[edit] See also: Category:People from County Armagh Frank Aiken (1898–1983), born in County Armagh, Irish Republican, Irish Minister for External Affairs, Tánaiste Saint Benignus of Armagh, (died 467), first rector of the Cathedral School of Armagh and Bishop of Armagh Brian Boru (941–1014), buried in Armagh City, victor of Clontarf, High King of Ireland Sir Robert Hart (1835–1911), born in County Armagh, second Inspector-General of China's Imperial Maritime Customs Service (IMCS) from 1863 to 1911 Arthur Hunter Palmer (1819–1898), born in County Armagh, 5th Premier of Queensland Tommy Makem (1932–2007), born in County Armagh, singer, musician, and songwriter, often called "The Bard of Armagh" Seamus Mallon (1936–2020), born in County Armagh, first deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Jim McAllister (1943–2013), born in Crossmaglen, County Armagh, politician and author John McCreesh, American politician who served in the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1935 to 1958 was born in Armagh County in 1881. Colin Morgan (born 1986), born in County Armagh, actor Paul Muldoon (born 1951), born in County Armagh, poet, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry and the T. S. Eliot Prize Andrew Nesbitt (born 1960), raised in Aughnagurgan, County Armagh, professional rally driver and winner of the 2000 and 2002 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship Tomás Ó Fiaich (1923–1990), born in County Armagh, Cardinal, Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland 1977–90 Eunan O'Neill (born 1982), born in County Armagh, journalist, RT TV network Sir William Olpherts (1822–1902), born in County Armagh, soldier and recipient of the Victoria Cross Ian Paisley (1926– 2014), born in County Armagh, clergyman, politician, second First Minister of Northern Ireland Saint Patrick (fifth century), first Bishop of Armagh Aileen Preston (1889–1974), born in County Armagh, chauffeur and suffragette in England George William Russell 'Æ' (1867–1919), born in County Armagh, author, critic and painter 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 Colin Turkington (born 1982), born in Portadown, County Armagh, professional racing driver and 2009 British Touring Car champion. James Ussher (1581–1656), Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland 1625–1656 Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquess Wellesley (1760–1842), educated in The Royal School, Armagh. Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and Governor General of India

Places of interest

[edit] 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 a modern interactive visitor centre Saint Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral, founded 445, seat of the Church of Ireland's Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland, containing the grave of Brian Boru Saint Patrick's Roman Catholic Cathedral, commenced in 1838, seat of the Roman 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, a Mass rock, and a visitor centre at its foot