County Down
Encyclopedia
Cities
- Belfast (east)BelfastBelfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
- NewryNewryNewry is a city in Northern Ireland. The River Clanrye, which runs through the city, formed the historic border between County Armagh and County Down. It is from Belfast and from Dublin. Newry had a population of 27,433 at the 2001 Census, while Newry and Mourne Council Area had a population...
(partially in County ArmaghCounty Armagh-History:Ancient Armagh was the territory of the Ulaid before the fourth century AD. It was ruled by the Red Branch, whose capital was Emain Macha near Armagh. The site, and subsequently the city, were named after the goddess Macha...
; has city status)
Large towns
(population of 18,000 or more and under 75,000 at 2001 Census)- DundonaldDundonaldDundonald is a large settlement in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies east of Belfast and is often deemed to be a suburb of the city. It includes the large housing estate of Ballybeen, and many new housing estates have emerged in the past ten years....
- NewtownardsNewtownardsNewtownards is a large town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies at the most northern tip of Strangford Lough, 10 miles east of Belfast, on the Ards Peninsula. Newtownards is the largest town in the Borough of Ards. According to the 2001 Census, it has a population of 27,821 people in...
- BangorBangor, County DownBangor is a large town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is a seaside resort on the southern side of Belfast Lough and within the Belfast Metropolitan Area. Bangor Marina is one of the largest in Ireland, and holds Blue Flag status...
Medium towns
(population of 10,000 or more and under 18,000 at 2001 Census)- BanbridgeBanbridgeBanbridge is a town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies on the River Bann and the A1 road. It was named after a bridge built over the Bann in 1712. The town grew as a coaching stop on the road from Belfast to Dublin and thrived from Irish linen manufacturing...
- DownpatrickDownpatrickDownpatrick is a medium-sized town about 33 km south of Belfast in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is the county town of Down with a rich history and strong connection to Saint Patrick. It had a population of 10,316 at the 2001 Census...
- HolywoodHolywoodHolywood is a town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies on the shore of Belfast Lough, between Belfast and Bangor. Holywood Exchange and Belfast City Airport are nearby. The town hosts an annual jazz and blues festival.-Name:...
Small towns
(population of 4,500 or more and under 10,000 at 2001 Census)- Ballynahinch
- CarryduffCarryduffCarryduff is a small town and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland, about south of Belfast city centre. It had a population of 6,595 people in the 2001 Census....
- ComberComberComber is a small town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies 5 miles south of Newtownards, at the northern end of Strangford Lough. It had a population of 8,933 people in the 2001 Census. Comber is part of the Borough of Ards...
- DonaghadeeDonaghadeeDonaghadee is a small town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies on the northeast coast of the Ards Peninsula, about east of Belfast and about six miles south east of Bangor. It had a population of 6,470 people in the 2001 Census...
- DromoreDromore, County DownDromore is a small market town in the Banbridge District of County Down, Northern Ireland. It is south-west of Belfast, on the A1 Belfast – Dublin road. The 2001 Census recorded a population of 4,968 people....
- KilkeelKilkeelKilkeel is a small town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is the main fishing port on the Down coast, and its harbour houses one of the largest fishing fleets in Ireland. It had a population of 6,338 people according to the 2001 Census...
- NewcastleNewcastle, County DownNewcastle is a small town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 7,444 people recorded in the 2001 Census. The seaside resort lies on the Irish Sea coast at the base of Slieve Donard, one of the Mourne Mountains, and is known for its sandy beach and the Royal County Down Golf Club...
- WarrenpointWarrenpointWarrenpoint is a small town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies on the northern shore of Carlingford Lough and is separated from the Republic of Ireland by a narrow strait. The town sprang up within the townland of Ringmackilroy...
Intermediate settlements
(population of 2,250 or more and under 4,500 at 2001 Census)- BallygowanBallygowanBallygowan is a village and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is within the Borough of Ards. The town of Comber is a short distance to the north-east, the town of Saintfield to the south, and the city of Belfast a further distance to the north-west. It had a population of 2,671 people...
- CastlewellanCastlewellanCastlewellan is a village in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is beside Castlewellan Lake and Slievenaslat mountain, southwest of Downpatrick. It lies between the Mourne Mountains and Slieve Croob. It had a population of 2,392 people in the 2001 Census....
- HillsboroughHillsborough, County DownHillsborough is a village and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland, situated from the city of Belfast. It is within the Lisburn City Council area....
- KillyleaghKillyleaghKillyleagh is a village in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is on the A22 road from Downpatrick, on the western side of Strangford Lough. It had a population of 2,483 people in the 2001 Census. It is best known for its 12th century Killyleagh Castle...
- MoiraMoira, County DownMoira is a village in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is in the northwest of the county, near the borders with counties Antrim and Armagh. The M1 motorway and Dublin–Belfast railway line are nearby. The settlement has existed since time immemorial...
- PortaferryPortaferryPortaferry is a small town in County Down, Northern Ireland, at the southern end of the Ards Peninsula, near the Narrows at the entrance to Strangford Lough. It had a population of 2,467 people in the 2001 Census. It has an aquarium and is well-known for the annual Galway Hookers Regatta. It hosts...
- RostrevorRostrevorRostrevor is a village in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is within the Newry and Mourne District Council area. It lies at the foot of Slieve Martin on the coast of Carlingford Lough. The Kilbroney River flows through the village....
- SaintfieldSaintfieldSaintfield is a village in County Down, Northern Ireland, situated roughly halfway between Belfast and Downpatrick on the A7 road. It had a population of 2,959 people in the 2001 Census. The village proper is considered predominantly a middle or upper-middle class town and of both Catholic and...
- WaringstownWaringstownWaringstown is a village in County Down, Northern Ireland, two miles south-east of Lurgan. It lies within the parish of Donaghcloney, and in the barony of Iveagh Lower, Lower Half. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 2,523 people. It was built during the Plantation of Ulster and is typical of...
Villages
(population of 1,000 or more and under 2,250 at 2001 Census)- AnnahiltAnnahiltAnnahilt is a village in north County Down, Northern Ireland. It is 7.5 miles south of Lisburn, and about 14 miles south-west of Belfast, on the main road between Ballynahinch and Hillsborough. In the 2001 Census the village had a population of 1,148...
- AnnalongAnnalongAnnalong is a seaside village in County Down, Northern Ireland at the foot of the Mourne Mountains. It had a population of 1,778 people at the 2001 Census and lies within the Newry and Mourne District Council area. The village was once engaged in exporting dressed granite and is now a fishing and...
- ArdglassArdglassArdglass is a coastal village in County Down, Northern Ireland and still a relatively important fishing harbour. It is situated on the B1 Ardglass to Downpatrick road, about 11 kilometres to the south east of Downpatrick, in the Lecale peninsula on the Irish Sea. It had a population of 1,668...
- BallywalterBallywalterBallywalter is a village and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is on the east coast of the Ards Peninsula between Donaghadee and Ballyhalbert...
- CrossgarCrossgarCrossgar is a village and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is about 15 miles south of Belfast – between Saintfield and Downpatrick. Crossgar had a population of 1,539 people in the 2001 Census.- History :...
- DrumanessDrumanessDrumaness is a village and townland in the Down District Council area of County Down, Northern Ireland. It is 5 kilometres south of Ballynahinch, beside the main A24 Belfast to Newcastle road. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 1,280 people.- Demography :The population of Drumaness on...
- DrumbegDrumbegDrumbeg is a small village and townland on the south bank of the River Lagan in County Down, Northern Ireland. The village is within the Lisburn City Council area and forms part of the suburban fringe of Belfast.-Places of interest:...
- DundrumDundrum, County DownDundrum is a village and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is beside Dundrum Bay, about 4 miles outside Newcastle on the A2 road. The town is best known for its ruined Norman castle. It had a population of 1,065 people in the 2001 Census....
- GilfordGilfordGilford is a village in County Down, Northern Ireland. The village sits on the River Bann between the towns of Banbridge, Tandragee and Portadown. It covers the townlands of Loughans, Ballymacanallen and Drumaran. It had a population of 1,573 people in the 2001 Census...
- GreyabbeyGreyabbeyGreyabbey or Grey Abbey is a small village and townland located on the eastern shores of Strangford Lough, on the Ards Peninsula in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies south of Newtownards. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 1,011 people...
- Helen's BayHelen's BayHelen's Bay is a village on the northern coast of County Down, Northern Ireland. It is within the townland of Ballygrot , between Holywood, Crawfordsburn and Bangor. It is served by a railway station and had a population of 1,362 in the 2001 Census...
- KilcooKilcoo, County DownKilcoo is a small village in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies between Rathfriland and Castlewellan, within the Down District Council area. Kilcoo had a population 1415 people in the 2001 Census.-Places of interest:...
- KircubbinKircubbin, County DownKircubbin is a village and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is on the shores of Strangford Lough, between Newtownards and Portaferry. The population is roughly 2,000. The village harbour contains leisure craft, yachts, and a sailing club...
- MagheralinMagheralinMagheralin is a village in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is on the main Moira to Lurgan road, beside the River Lagan. It had a population of 1,144 people in the 2001 Census. It is within the Craigavon Borough Council area....
- MillisleMillisleMillisle or Mill Isle is a village on the Ards Peninsula in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is mostly within the townland of Ballymacruise, about south of Donaghadee. It had a population of 1,800 in the 2001 Census...
- PortavogiePortavogiePortavogie is a village, townland and fishing port in County Down, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 1,594 people in the 2001 Census. It lies within the Borough of Ards and is the easternmost settlement in Ireland....
- RathfrilandRathfrilandRathfriland is a village in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is a hilltop Plantation of Ulster settlement between the Mourne Mountains, Slieve Croob and Banbridge. It had a population of 2,079 people in the 2001 Census.-History:...
Small villages or hamlets
(population of less than 1,000 at 2001 Census)- Atticall
- AnnsboroughAnnsboroughAnnsborough is a small village in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is situated on the A25 road between Downpatrick and Newry, approximately 0.8 kilometres to the east of Castlewellan and 17 kilometres to the south west of Downpatrick. It had a population of 593 people in the 2001 Census.It...
- BallyhalbertBallyhalbertBallyhalbert is a small village and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is on the east coast of the Ards Peninsula between Ballywalter and Portavogie. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 447 people...
- BallyhornanBallyhornanBallyhornan is a village and townland in eastern County Down, Northern Ireland, located along the coast of the Irish Sea. It is located less than 10 miles from Downpatrick, County Down, and it is near the site of the former RAF Bishopscourt installation...
- BallykinlerBallykinlerBallykinler or Ballykinlar is a village in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies 12 kilometres south west of Downpatrick, in the parish of Tyrella and Dundrum. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 348 people. It is within the Down District Council area.It is a linear settlement running...
- BallymartinBallymartinBallymartin is a small village and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 414 people. It lies within the Newry and Mourne District Council area.Ballymartin is also a townsland in Borris Parish, County Carlow....
- BryansfordBryansfordBryansford is a small village in County Down, Northern Ireland. It sits at the northern side of Tollymore Forest Park, roughly halfway between the towns of Newcastle and Castlewellan. The village is within the townlands of Ballyhafry and Aghacullion...
- BurrenBurren, County DownBurren is a small village and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is near Newry and Warrenpoint.- Places of interest :Burren Heritage Centre is a converted national school at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, telling the story of the area....
- Cabra, County DownCabra, County DownCabra is a village in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is in the parish of Clonduff and is situated approximately two miles from Hilltown and Rathfriland. Cabra is a small settlement with approximately 200 occupants. It has two churchs and one primary school....
- CarrowdoreCarrowdoreCarrowdore is a small village on the Ards Peninsula in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies within the Borough of Ards. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 816.- Education :...
- CloughCloughClough is a village and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland. It sits about 3 miles from Dundrum on the A2 road between Newcastle and Belfast. It had a population of 255 people in the 2001 Census...
- Cloughey
- CrawfordsburnCrawfordsburnCrawfordsburn is a small picturesque village in County Down, Northern Ireland. The village, which is now effectively a commuter suburb, lies between Holywood and Bangor to the north of the A2 road, about 4 km west of Bangor town centre. Bounded to the north and north east by Crawfordsburn...
- DonaghcloneyDonaghcloneyDonaghcloney or Donacloney is a small village and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies on the River Lagan between Lurgan, Dromore and Banbridge. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 972.-Linen industry:...
- DromaraDromaraDromara is a small village and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies to the southwest of Ballynahinch on the northern slopes of Slieve Croob, with the River Lagan flowing through it. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 597 people....
- Gilnahirk
- GroomsportGroomsportGroomsport is a village and townland two miles north east of Bangor in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is on the south shore of Belfast Lough and on the north coast of the Ards Peninsula...
- HilltownHilltown, County DownHilltown is a small village within the townland of Carcullion in County Down, Northern Ireland. Hilltown is the main village of the parish of Clonduff which also contains rural areas and another village named Cabra...
- Killinchy
- KilloughKilloughKillough is a village and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies on the Irish Sea shore near Ardglass, five miles southeast of Downpatrick. It is notable for its sycamore-lined main street. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 845 people....
- LawrencetownLawrencetown, County DownLawrencetown or Laurencetown is a small village in County Down, Northern Ireland. It sits on the River Bann, along the main road between the towns of Banbridge and Portadown. It is within the parish of Tullylish and covers the townlands of Knocknagore and Drumnascamph. In the 2001 Census it had a...
- LeitrimLeitrim, County DownLeitrim is a townland in County Down, Northern Ireland, near Castlewellan.There are two townlands called Leitrim in South Down, one is referred to as Upper Leitrim, the other, as Lower Leitrim. One being closer to Hilltown, the other approximately 6 miles from Castlewellan, near Dromara. It...
- Listooder
- LongstoneLongstoneLongstone is a suburb of Edinburgh in Scotland. It borders Saughton, Wester Hailes, Slateford, Kingsknowe and Parkhead.Longstone's most dramatic features are the Slateford Aqueduct carrying the Union Canal and the adjacent railway viaduct . Underneath these runs the Water of Leith, and the canal...
- Loughbrickland
- Loughinisland
- MayobridgeMayobridgeMayobridge is an area within Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland. It is located within the Newry and Mourne District Council area. It had a population of 842 people in the 2001 Census.-People :...
- SaulSaul, County DownSaul is the name of a townland and civil parish in County Down, Northern Ireland.The townland lies to the east of Downpatrick and has strong links with Saint Patrick. It is claimed that when Saint Patrick came to Ireland in 432, strong currents swept his boat through the Strangford Lough tidal...
- ScarvaScarvaScarva is a small village and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is at the boundary with County Armagh, which is marked by the Newry Canal. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 320....
- SeafordeSeafordeSeaforde is a small village in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is within the townland of Naghan, one mile north of Clough on the main Ballynahinch to Newcastle road. It is part of the Down District Council area....
- SheeptownSheeptownSheeptown is a small village and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies to the northeast of Newry, on the old road between Newry and Rathfriland. Historically, the townland was called Athcruthain. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 204 people...
- StrangfordStrangfordStrangford is a small village at the mouth of Strangford Lough in County Down, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 475 people at the 2001 Census.On the other side of the lough is Portaferry and there is a ferry service between the two villages...
Subdivisions
Baronies- Ards Lower (from the )
- Ards Upper
- Castlereagh Lower
- Castlereagh Upper
- Dufferin (from the )
- Iveagh Lower, Lower Half (from the )
- Iveagh Lower, Upper Half
- Iveagh Upper, Lower Half
- Iveagh Upper, Upper Half
- Kinelarty (from the )
- Lecale Lower (from the )
- Lecale Upper
- Lordship of Newry
- Mourne (from the )
Parishes
Townlands
Sport
The Down County BoardDown GAA
The Down County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Down GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Down...
administer gaelic games
Gaelic games
Gaelic games are sports played in Ireland under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The two main games are Gaelic football and hurling...
in the county. Down are the most successful team north of the border in terms of All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier competition in Gaelic football, is a series of games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and played during the summer and early autumn...
s won with 5 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 (1977, 1987, 1999 and 2005), twelve Ulster titles (1959, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1971, 1978, 1981, 1991, 1994) and one under 21 all Ireland title (1979).
They have ten minor Ulster titles (1958, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1966, 1977, 1979, 1986, 1987, 1999), and nine under 21 Ulster titles (1958, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1966, 1977, 1979, 1986, 1987, 1999) following second on the table as Tyrone is first with 11.
See also
- Abbeys and priories in Northern Ireland (County Down)
- List of civil parishes of County Down
- List of places in County Down
- List of townlands in County Down
- Lord Lieutenant of DownLord Lieutenant of DownThis is a list of lords lieutenants of County Down. The office was created on 23 August 1831.*The Marquess of Downshire 7 October 1831 – 12 April 1845*The Marquess of Londonderry 17 May 1845 – 1864...
- High Sheriff of DownHigh Sheriff of DownThe High Sheriff of Down is the Sovereign's judicial representative in County Down. Initially an office for lifetime, assigned by the Sovereign, the High Sheriff became annually appointed from the Provisions of Oxford in 1258. Besides his judicial importance, he has ceremonial and administrative...
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.