County Down Explained

County Down
Native Name:
Scots: Coontie Doon/Scots: Countie Doun (Ulster-Scots)
Settlement Type:County
Nickname:Mourne Country
Motto:Absque Labore Nihil(Latin)
"Nothing Without Labour"
Area Total Km2:2489
Area Rank:12th
Area Footnotes:[1]
Seat Type:County town
Seat:Downpatrick
Unit Pref:Imperial
Elevation Max M:850
Elevation Max Point:Slieve Donard
Timezone:GMT
Utc Offset:±0
Timezone Dst:BST
Utc Offset Dst:+1
Postal Code Type:Postcode area
Postal Code:BT
Established Title:Established
Established Date:early 16th century
Population:553261
Population Rank:4th
Population As Of:2021
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United Kingdom
Subdivision Type1:Constituent Country
Subdivision Name1:Northern Ireland
Subdivision Type2:Province
Subdivision Name2:Ulster
Footnotes:Contae an Dúin is the Irish name, Countie Doun[2] and Coontie Doon[3] are Ulster Scots spellings.

County Down 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 961mi2 and has a population of 552,261.[6] 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.

In the east of the county is Strangford Lough and the Ards Peninsula. The largest settlement is Bangor, a city 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 time of the 2001 census. The other Protestant-majority County was County Antrim to the north.[7] However, as of the 2021 Census, it is now the only county in which there is a Protestant background majority, as Antrim has Protestant background plurality.[8] In the 2021 census, Ards and North Down had the highest number of "No Religion" responses (30.6%) for Northern Ireland.[9]

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.[10]

The county has two cities: Newry and Bangor. The latter is the more recent, gaining city status on 2 December 2022. [11]

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 the Republic of Ireland).[12] 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").[13] [14]

History

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".[15] In 1570 a commission was issued in pursuance 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, as well this side Blackstafe as the other side, Copelande islands, the Dufferin, Clandeboy, Kilultoghe, the Glynes with the Raughlines, Momerie and Carie, the Rowte M'William (McQuillan) and all lands between lough Coine and lough Eaghe, and the water of Strangforde and the Banne. To certify their proceedings before the 1st August."[16] [17] 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

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,[18] although folk tradition says there are 365 islands in Strangford Lough, one for every day of the year.[19]

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 849m (2,785feet), is the highest peak in the Mournes, in Northern Ireland and in the province of Ulster. Another important peak is Slieve Croob, at 534m (1,752feet), the source of the River Lagan.

Places of interest

Subdivisions

Baronies

See main article: Barony (Ireland).

Parishes

See main article: List of civil parishes of County Down.

Townlands

See main article: List of townlands in County Down.

Settlements

Cities

(population of 75,000 or more at 2001 Census)[23]

Large towns

(population of 18,000 or more and under 75,000 at 2001 Census)[23]

Medium towns

(Population of 10,000 or more and under 18,000 at 2001 Census)[23]

Small towns

(Population of 4,500 or more and under 10,000 at 2001 Census)[23]

Intermediate settlements

(Population of 2,250 or more and under 4,500 at 2001 Census)[23]

Villages

(Population of 1,000 or more and under 2,250 at 2001 Census)[23]

Small villages or hamlets

(Population of less than 1,000 at 2001 Census)[23]

Demography

As of the 2021 census, County Down had a population of 552,261, making it the second most populous county in Northern Ireland.[6]

Community background and religion

Religion or religion brought up in (2021 Census)[24] !Religion or religion brought up in!Number!%
Protestant and Other Christian296,22853.54%
Catholic178,52332.27%
None (no religion)70,04612.66%
Other religion8,4641.53%
Total553,261100.00%

National identity

National identity (2021 Census)[25] [26] [27] [28] !National identity!Number!%
British only208,52337.69%
Irish only102,17418.47%
Northern Irish only120,00321.69%
British and Northern Irish only58,25610.53%
Irish and Northern Irish only9,8201.78%
British, Irish and Northern Irish only12,6052.28%
British and Irish only4,4210.80%
Other identity37,4596.77%
Total553,261100.00%
All Irish identities131,14323.70%
All British identities290,52452.51%
All Northern Irish identities204,27636.92%

Irish language and Ulster Scots

According to the 2021 UK census in County Down:

Administration

The county was administered by Down County Council from 1899 until the abolition of county councils in Northern Ireland in 1973.[29] County Down is now served by the following local government districts:

Transportation

Railways

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.[30] [31]

Former No.1 golfer in the world, Rory McIlroy,[32] 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.[33]

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.[34]

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),[35] Inch Abby (Riverlands), and Tollymore Forest Park.[36]

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.[37]

Notable people

See also

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Northern Ireland General Register Office . Census of Population 1971; Summary Tables . PDF . Belfast . HMSO . 28 August 2019 . 1 . Table 1: Area, Buildings for Habitation and Population, 1971 . 1975 . 23 July 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190723205332/https://www.nisra.gov.uk/sites/nisra.gov.uk/files/publications/1971-census-summary-tables.pdf#page=21 . live .
  2. http://www.northsouthministerialcouncil.org/nsmc_2008_annual_report_ulster_scots-6.pdf 2008 Annual Report in Ulster Scots
  3. http://www.northsouthministerialcouncil.org/web_2006_ulster_scots_report.pdf 2006 Annual Report in Ulster Scots
  4. Taylor, Isaac. Names and Their Histories. Rivingtons, 1898. p.111
  5. Lewis, Samuel. A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland (1837); "The See of Down" .
  6. Web site: County . NISRA . 17 August 2023.
  7. Web site: WOUTERS . Ferre. 2019-03-06. Communal counting: The Northern Ireland census. 2021-12-26. FactCheckNI.
  8. Web site: Religion or religion brought up in . NISRA . 17 August 2023.
  9. Web site: Northern Ireland Census 2021 .
  10. News: Price . Ryan . Five places in Northern Ireland included in Best Places to Live in Britain list . 16 March 2018 . . 2 June 2021 . 13 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210413211215/https://www.irishpost.com/life-style/five-places-in-northern-ireland-included-in-best-places-to-live-in-britain-list-151651 . live.
  11. News: Bangor receives city status in Princess Anne visit . BBC News . 2 December 2022 .
  12. Book: Long. David. Lost Britain: An A-Z of Forgotten Landmarks and Lost Traditions. 2015. Michael O'Mara Books. 9781782434412. 65 . 6 April 2018. 5 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200605171208/https://books.google.com/books?id=5vK4CgAAQBAJ&pg=PT65. live.
  13. Book: Praeger . Robert Lloyd. Official Guide to County Down and the Mourne Mountains. 1900. M'Caw, Stevenson & Orr. 123 . Dún county down.. 6 April 2018.
  14. Book: Chisholm, Hugh. Encyclopedia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature and General Information. 1922. University Press. 460 . 6 April 2018.
  15. https://opac.oireachtas.ie/Data/Library7/Library1/DC900041.pdf 11 Elizabeth I, Session 3, Chapter 9 (1569)
  16. https://archive.org/details/reportofdeputyke1113irel/page/n237/mode/2up?view=theater Fiat 1530, 4 May 1570
  17. https://archive.org/details/reportofdeputyke1113irel/page/n229/mode/2up?view=theater Similar to Fiat 1486, 4 February 1570
  18. Web site: Strangford Lough Area . Belfast Guzzi . 18 February 2023 . 18 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230218151234/https://sites.google.com/a/belfastguzzi.com/www/Home/moto-guzzi-ulster-rally-09/strangford-lough-area-information . dead .
  19. Web site: Hands On Nature – Strangford . BBC.
  20. Web site: Kearcsadmin. St. Brigid's Day. County Kildare Archaeological Society. 6 July 2017. 28 November 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171128030249/http://www.kildarearchsoc.ie/st-brigids-day/. live.
  21. Web site: Saint Patrick's Church. Encyclopedia Britannica. 6 July 2017. 12 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180912023135/https://www.britannica.com/place/Saint-Patricks-Church-Newry-Northern-Ireland. live.
  22. Web site: Crawfordsburn Old Inn website . 1 July 2006 . 5 July 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060705234111/http://www.theoldinn.com/ . live .
  23. Web site: Statistical classification of settlements . NI Neighbourhood Information Service . 23 February 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100217122433/http://www.ninis.nisra.gov.uk/mapxtreme_towns/statistical%20classification.htm . 17 February 2010 . dead .
  24. Web site: Religion or religion brought up in . NISRA . 18 August 2023.
  25. Web site: National Identity (British) . NISRA . 18 August 2023.
  26. Web site: National Identity (Irish) . NISRA . 18 August 2023.
  27. Web site: National Identity (Northern Irish) . NISRA . 18 August 2023.
  28. Web site: National identity (person based) - basic detail (classification 1) . NISRA . 18 August 2023.
  29. Web site: Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972. Legislation.gov.uk. 29 November 2019. 30 October 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191030152505/http://www.legislation.gov.uk/apni/1972/9/contents. live.
  30. Web site: Golf World Top 100: Best Links Golf Courses in Great Britain and Ireland. 2021-12-26. Today's Golfer.
  31. Web site: Golf World Top 100: Best Golf Courses in Ireland. 2021-12-26. Today's Golfer.
  32. Web site: 2021-01-01. Golf Ranking – Number 1 – History since inception. 2021-12-26 . Golf Today.
  33. News: Rihanna video: Wildflowers to be planted in north Belfast 'hopeless place'. BBC News . 30 April 2015 . 6 July 2017. 16 December 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161216111320/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-32533188. live.
  34. Web site: Mourne Mountains and Ring of Gullion. visitmournemountains.co.uk. 26 March 2020. 9 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201109031213/http://www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/ChroniclesofNarnia. live.
  35. Web site: HBO's Game of Thrones at Castle Ward . 2021-03-21. National Trust. 17 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210117133113/https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/castle-ward/features/game-of-thrones-at-castle-ward. live.
  36. Web site: Game of Thrones Film Locations Game of Thrones, Things To Do, Tours And Trails A blog full of ideas and inspiration . 2021-03-21. Visit Belfast. 21 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210121084151/https://visitbelfast.com/article/game-of-thrones-filming-locations-belfast-northern-ireland. live.
  37. Oscars.org
  38. News: Cormac . Campbell . Ash at 30: The Downpatrick rock band still shining . BBC . 2022-08-08.
  39. Dunn. Peter M.. 2000-01-01 . Sir Joseph Barcroft of Cambridge (1872–1947) and prenatal research . Archives of Disease in Childhood: Fetal and Neonatal Edition. 82. 1. F75–F76. 10.1136/fn.82.1.F75. 1359-2998. 10634847. 1721043 .
  40. News: 8 May 1987. Actor Colin Blakely is Dead at 56. AP News. 26 December 2021.
  41. Web site: Reverend Patrick Brontë. 2021-12-26. www.bronte.org.uk.
  42. Web site: Online. Catholic. St. Comgall – Saints & Angels. Catholic Online . 2021-12-26.
  43. Web site: Club. Motherwell Football. 2021-10-29. Stephen Craigan to join Hall of Fame . 2021-12-26. Motherwell Football Club.
  44. Web site: Rotten Tomatoes: Movies TV Shows Movie Trailers Reviews – Rotten Tomatoes. 2021-12-26. www.rottentomatoes.com.
  45. News: Traynor. Jessica. Harry Ferguson, the 'Mad Mechanic' who invented the modern tractor . 2021-12-26. The Irish Times.
  46. Web site: Faulkner, (Arthur) Brian Deane Dictionary of Irish Biography . 2021-12-26. www.dib.ie.
  47. Web site: The Betsy Gray Cafe. 2021-12-26. www.bangorhistoricalsocietyni.org.
  48. Web site: Bear Grylls Biography – Everything You Need To Know. 2021-12-26. Mpora.
  49. Web site: Frederick Temple Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood, 1st marquess of Dufferin and Ava British diplomat Britannica. 2021-12-26. www.britannica.com.
  50. Web site: Celebrating the life of 'Home Rule Harrison', a forgotten British war hero and Parnell lieutenant. 2021-12-28. Belfast Media Group.
  51. O'Neill. Marie. 1989. Sarah Cecilia Harrison: Artist and City Councillor. Dublin Historical Record. Old Dublin Society. 42. 2. 66–81. 30087190 . JSTOR.
  52. News: David Healy will target Northern Ireland manager's job, believes Linfield legend Peter Thompson . Luney. Graham. 8 November 2021. Belfast Telegraph. 0307-1235 . 28 December 2021.
  53. Web site: Businessman Neville Isdell: Money is not a motivator, but it is how you keep score in life . 2021-12-28. independent.
  54. Web site: NI Hall of Fame: Pat Jennings. 2021-12-28. IFA.
  55. Web site: Patrick Kielty – Popular Northern Irish cutting edge comedian and presenter . 2021-12-28. www.performingartistes.co.uk.
  56. Web site: Gary Lightbody, Snow Patrol: Intimate Podcast Interview. Best Of Belfast . 2021-12-28.
  57. Web site: James Martin. 2021-12-28. BBC Bitesize.
  58. Web site: September 2021. Zita Ballinger Fletcher. 2021-08-17 . Irish SAS Hero: Robert Blair 'Paddy' Mayne. HistoryNet . 2021-12-28.