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.
Etymology
[edit]
The name Armagh derives from the Irish Ard Macha, meaning Macha's height/Macha's high place. Macha is a mythological figure who is mentioned in The Book of the Taking of Ireland. Macha is also said to have been responsible for the construction of the hill site of Emain Macha (now Navan Fort near Armagh City) to serve as the capital of the Ulaid kings (who give their name to Ulster) and is believed to be the high place from which the county takes its name.
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
 
Subdivisions
[edit]
Baronies
The Baronies of County Armagh (1900)
Main article: Baronies of Ireland
Armagh
Fews Lower
Fews Upper
Oneilland East
Oneilland West
Orior Lower
Orior Upper
Tiranny
Parishes
Main article: List of civil parishes of County Armagh
Townlands
Main article: List of townlands in County Armagh
 
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.
Inland waterways
[edit]
County Armagh is traversed by the Ulster Canal and the Newry Canal which are not fully open to navigation.
Sport
[edit]
In association football, the NIFL Premiership, which operates as the top division, has one team in the county: Glenavon, with Portadown, Annagh United, Armagh City, Dollingstown, Loughgall and Lurgan Celtic competing in the NIFL Championship, which operates as levels two and three.
The Armagh County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Armagh GAA organises Gaelic games in the county.
Music
[edit]
County Armagh has a strong tradition of loyalist and unionist marching bands, mostly accordion bands. Marching bands performing at annual parades and community events include the Aughnagurgan Accordion Band, Pride of the Birches Accordion Band and the Edgarstown Accordion Band. The latter two performed in the 2024 Belfast International Tattoo. The County Armagh Accordion Band made their debut on the international stage in the 2025 Belfast Tattoo.
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
Gallery
[edit]
View of Slieve Gullion
The Enterprise near Newry
South Armagh Countryside
Forkhill Mountain
Emain Macha
Moyry Castle
Killnasaggart Stone, 700 A.D.
St. Patrick's Anglican Cathedral, est. 445
Armagh City
The small town of Markethill
Clare Glen Forest, Tandragee
Approach to Crossmaglen
The Knock Bridge near Portadown on the Newry Canal
Gosford Castle, outside of Markethill
