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The  Mourne Mountains  (Irish:  na Beanna Boirche  ) / m ɔər n /  mohrn  , also called  Mournes  or  the Mountains of Mourne  , is a granite mountain range in County Down in sydöstraNordirland. It contains the highest mountains in Northern Ireland and the province of Ulster. The highest of these is Slieve Donard at 850 meters (2,790 ft). Mournes is an area of outstanding natural beauty and has been proposed as the first national park in Northern Ireland. The area is partly owned by the National Trust and see a large number of visitors each year. Identification Mourne  (historically spelled  Morne  ) is derived from the name of a Gaelic Clann or September called  Múghdhorna  .  ^{[1] [2]} 

The mountains

Mournes visited by many tourists, hill walkers, cyclists and climbers. After a fundraising drive in 1993, the National Trust bought nearly 1,300 acres (5.3 km  ²  ) of land in Mournes.Detta included part of Slieve Donard and nearby Slieve Commedagh at 767 meters (2,516 ft), the second highest mountain in the area.

The Mournemuren are among the more notable features of the Mournes.There is a 35 km (22 mi) of dry stone wall that crosses fifteen summits, constructed to define the limits of the 36 square kilometers (8,900 acres) of land purchased by the Belfast Water Commissioners in the late 1800s. This followed a number of Acts of Parliament to permit the marketing, and the establishment of a water supply from the Mournes to the growing industrial city of Belfast. Construction of Mournemuren was started in 1904 and ended the 1922nd

Some of the mountains have names beginning  Slieve  , from the Irish word Sliabh  means  mountain  . Examples include Slieve Donard, Slieve Lamagan and Slieve Muck. There are also a number of curious name: Pigeon Rock;Buzzard Roost; Brandy Pad; Cock and Hen; Percy Bysshe; Devil’s Coach Road; and Pollaphuca, which means “hole of the fairies and sprites.”

Mournes is very popular as a destination for the Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions and those who participate in Morne Mountain challenge.

The Isle of Man mountains of the lake and Snowdonia in Wales can sometimes be seen across the Irish Sea from certain parts of the Mournes on clear days. The mountains are also visible from parts of Dublin on clear days.

Vegetation and wildlife

Aside from the grass, the most common plants found in the Mournes is heather and gorse. Of the former, the three species found: cross-leaved heath (  Klockljung  ), bell heather (  Erica cinerea  ) and long (  heather  ). Of the latter two species: Common gorse (  WHIN  ) and western gorse (  Ulex gallii  ). Other plants that grow in the area are: bog cotton, rose root ( Rhodiola rosea  ), bellflower (  harebell  ), marsh St. John’s wort, wild thyme ( Thymus serpyllum  ), sorrel and heath spotted orchids.

Sheep graze high in the mountains, and the area is also home to birds, including the common raven, peregrine falcon, wren, buzzards, and native meadow pipit, gray wagtail, Stonechat and Snipe. The Golden Eagle, a former resident, has not been seen in the Mournes since 1836th

Possible National status

Mourne Country close Spelga Dam, the slopes of Slieve Loughshannagh and Ott Mountainmed a current in power after some recent rain

It has been suggested that the Mourne Mountains made Northern Ireland’s first national park.  ^{[3] [4]}  The plan has been the subject of controversy because of its status as private property, with over 1,000 farmers based in the proposed park,  ^[4]  and also because of concerns about the impact on local communities, bureaucracy and house prices.  ^[5] 

popular culture

The mountains are immortalized in a song written by Percy French in 1896, “Mountains of Mourne”. The song has been recorded by many artists, including Don McLean, and was quoted in the Irish group Thin Lizzy’s 1979 song “Roisin Dubh (Black Rose). A Rock Legend ”

Mourne Mountains also influenced CS Lewis to write  Witch and the Wardrobe  .  ^[6]

“Mountains of Mourne” is also mentioned in John Lennon’s song “Luck of the Irish” on the album  some time in New York City  .

The scenery of the Mourne Mountains also have the background for a number of productions, including  Philomena  and  Game of Thrones  .

Recreation

Mournes is a very popular area for hiking, Wall provides a convenient navigation aid.

There are a large number of granite rocks, in the form of slabs and sectors, scattered over the whole range, making Mournes one of Northern Ireland’s largest climbing areas since the first recorded ascent in the 1930s. Berg forms generally quite rounded, often depending on the chamber for protection, but with good friction. 1998 guidebook lists 26 different rocks, with a total of about 900 lines in all grades.  ^{[7] [8]} 

railway access

The Northern Ireland Railways service and Enterprise link in Newry railway station.

Craigmore Viaduct with Mournes in the distance, seen from Bessbrook near Newry station.

See also

• List of mountains in Northern Ireland
• List of mountains in Ireland
• Mournemuren

References

1. Jump up ^ Joyce, Patrick.  Origin and History of Irish place names  .1869. p.128
2. Jump up ^  “placental Database of Ireland”. Logainm.ie. 13 December 2010. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
3. Jump up ^  “Minister paves the way for the National Park in the Mournes”. Northern Ireland Planning Service. 25 September 2002.Retrieved eleven October of 2009.
4. ^ Jump up to: ^{a b} . Peterkin, Tom (29 August 2007) “Mourne Mountains National Park status line”. The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved eleven October of 2009.
5. Jump up ^ Cassidy Martin (23 February 2007). “Community split over the national park.” BBC News. Retrieved eleven October of 2009.
6. Jump up ^  “Mourne Mountains page”. Discovering Northern Ireland.Retrieved December 6, 2011.
7. Jump up ^  “Irish Climbing Online Wiki – Co Down.” Retrieved April 7, 2011.
8. Jump up ^ Robert Bankhead, ed. (1998), Mournes: MCI guide, Mountaineering Ireland, ISBN 0-902940-14-7

• Kirk, David (2002). The Mountains of Mourne: A Celebration of a special status. Belfast. Apple Press ISBN 0-86281-846-X.

The  Down Railway Downpatrick & County  is a heritage railway in County Down, Northern Ireland. The project is based at Downpatrick, on part of the former route of the Down Railway Belfast & County.

The railroad, which has a triangular layout connects two local tourist attractions, Inch Abbey in the north and a locally famous Viking site (King Magnus “Grave”) in the south, and will eventually reach an 18th century corn mill to the south near Ballydugan. It is the only operational Irish standard gauge (5 ‘3 “) heritage railway in the whole of Ireland.

History

Local architect Gerry Cochrane MBE was inspired to start the program after taking a walk along the route of the line, and in 1982 had received support to build a portion of the line as a heritage steam train from the local council.  ^[1] Lord Dunleath, whose father had bought railway trackbed adjacent to their property after the closure of BCDR in Downpatrick, gave the newly formed community a parcel of land to build the line and the station for a peppercorn rent. This was the old methods for Downpatrick station, which had been stripped in the 1970s. The work began to build the railway in 1985, with the public train finally runs in the town again in December 1987  ^[1]  making it the first Irish gauge heritage railway in Ireland to carry passengers on their own path. The track has been canning of nearly 6 km (4 mi) in Belfast and County Down Railway trackbed, and a 1.6 km (1 mile) extension south to the village Ballydugan have been proposed.

The railway started life as a railway Downpatrick and Ardglass, as the original intention was to extend the railway to this fishing port on the south coast of County Down. This name was dropped in 1996 following the closure of this proposal and the railroad was renamed Downpatrick Railway Museum until 2005, when the new name, Downpatrick & County Down Railway was adopted after the opening of Inch Abbey extension.  ^[1]

Down Railway Downpatrick & County was the subject of a BBC1 Northern Ireland 40-minute documentary, “Raising Steam”, which aired on Monday, 14 January 2008.  ^[2]  It has also appeared in many other television productions of the BBC, UTV, RTÉ and independent software manufacturers, and later as a location for James Gray directed film,  the Lost City of Z .

operations

About 5 km (3 mi) of 1600 mm (5 ft 3 in) Irish standard track is open from 2016, along which a steam locomotive, O & K No. 1, and the 1950-60s era diesel locomotive running, drawing preserved rolling stock. Passenger usually operated with braking / generator standard class coaches 3223, which was built in 1954 by Coras Iompair Éierann, and brake / standard class trainer 728, which was built in 1951 by the Ulster Transport Authority. Stocks added to or withdrawn from the “run the set of” maintenance permit. Older cars built by Great Southern and Western Railway and the Belfast and County Down Railway operated the line until they moved elsewhere on the site for display or maintenance.

The railroad also runs a prototype BR-Leyland railcars, RB3, which was changed in the early 1980s to run on the Irish metals and used for a period of Northern Ireland Railways. The railway has also donated several items of stock of Irish Rail, such as Sligo, Leitrim and North County rail Railcar B, built in 1947. This railcar is in poor condition and it will take time before DCDR can return it to operational condition. A second O & K steam is also under restoration. 1875-built 0-6-0 tank engine, GSWR No.90, which was delivered to Downpatrick in October 2007 for review at the railway Preservation Society of Ireland workshops in Whitehead, Co Antrim, Ireland’s oldest operating steam engine. A main line diesel locomotives, CIE A class No.A39, moved to the railroad in November 2009. This locomotive is on loan from Irish Traction Group. ITG ägda141 class locomotive No.146 joined the railway’s fleet by the end of November 2010.  ^[3]

In 2009, transportation Gallery completed, which has created an interactive museum where the public can enjoy the collection of railroad cars in various states of repair of impeccably restored to former henhouse state. Transport Gallery was officially opened by the Earl of Wessex 2014.

The railroad also aims to have at least partially operational mechanical signaling, with the preserved king’s shoulders and Bundoran Junction signal cabins along with several semaphores available on site. Related to this is double track project, which will allow simultaneous operation on the northern and southern routes.

Every year DCDR operates the following trains:

• Saint Patrick’s Day Special, to be held at the Saint Patrick’s Day and seems to Inch Abbey
• Easter Specials, which takes place during a few days around the Easter period and operate Inch Abbey
• May Day Special, which takes place on the first of May and seems to Inch Abbey
• Summer Offer, which takes place every weekend in the summer and drive to Inch Abbey
• Halloween Specials, which takes place on the weekend before, and on Halloween, and seems to Magnus’ Grave
• Santa Specials, which takes place on the weekends before Christmas, and be to Loop Platform
• Mince Pie Specials, which takes place the last weekend of the year, and seems to Magnus’ Grave and Inch Abbey – these are usually diesel hauled

Holidays, private charters and movie contract makes for special trains throughout the year too.

See also

• Downpatrick & County Down Railway
• “Raising Steam” . BBC Nordirland. 2008.

References

1. ^ Jump up to: ^{a b c} . Cochrane, Gerry (2009) Back in the steam: Downpatrick and County Down Railway in 1982 Newtownards. Colour.ISBN 978-1-906578-29-9.
2. Jump up ^  Raising Steam .
3. Jump up ^  “American Baby Boomer adoption of Downpatrick Railway”.Latest news . Downpatrick & County Down Railway. 29.11.2010. Pulled 07/23/2012.

• locomotives, three steam engines, and several Railcars.
• Inch Abbey, a large, ruined Cistercian monastic site of early Gothic architecture is 0.75 miles (1.2 km) northwest of Downpatrick on the north shore of the river Quoile off the main road to Belfast, at grid ref: J477455.
• Steam O & K No. 1 works påDownpatrick and County Down Railway

The Lecale peninsula covers an area of approximately 78 square miles (200 km  ²  ) between Downpatrick and Dundrum. It is an area of historical and geographical importance.

• The Mound Down or Rathkeltair is one of the major earthworks in Ulster, located on the NW edge of Downpatrick is a good example of an Iron Age defensive earthwork in the midst of a Norman Motte and Bailey was built by John de Courcy after his defeat Rory Mac Donlevy in 1177. Some believe it was the residence Celtchar mac Ulthechair, the legendary iron age hero of the Ulster Cycle. It seems to have become the administrative center of the Kings of Dál Fiatach of the early Christian period.
• St Patrick Centre, is the only permanent exhibition in the world dedicated to the patron saint of Ireland, and one of the best tourist destinations in Ireland. As a non-profit educational organization offering reconciliation in Northern Ireland, thousands of children each year and the ongoing cross-border and international youth programs.
• Quoile Castle is a ruined 16th century tower house, just off the main road from Downpatrick Strangford at grid ref: J4963 4,701th
• Menstrual Wells is a set of four sacred wells 1.5 miles (2.4 km) east of Downpatrick (Grid Ref: J513442).  ^[13]  The wells are from before the time of St. Patrick, and even today are used for people seeking cure.  ^[14]
• Starting in 2009, was an Eclipse Cinema opened in Downpatrick is a very popular destination among the community as both a movie theater and a venue for events.
• Lough Money is about three miles from the city.  ^[15]  The trout fishing was held there for anglers.  ^[16]

demography

Downpatrick is classified as a medium town at the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (ie with population between 10,000 and 18,000 people).  ^[17]  The Census day (29 April 2001), there were 10.316 people living in Downpatrick. Of these:

• 26.6% were younger than 16 years, and 16.0% were aged 60 and over
• 48.5% of the population were male and 51.5% were women
• 87.8% were from a Catholic background and 10.9% were from a Protestant background
• 6.1% of the population aged 16-74 were unemployed.  ^[18]

Transport

• The current Downpatrick Railway Station

Downpatrick is situated at the junction of the A7 (Downpatrick to Saintfield and Belfast) road, the A25 (Downpatrick to Newry and Dublin) route and A2 coast road. Although there are no trains in Downpatrick, Ulsterbus provide bus traffic to and from Downpatrick bus station.

• Downpatrick Railway Station in Belfast and County Down Railway was opened March 23, 1859 Downpatrick Loop Platform opened September 24th 1892. Both closed 16 January 1950. Downpatrick Racecourse platform had opened March 8, 1893, but was completed in September 1949.  ^[19]  The current station , owned by Down Railway Downpatrick and county, opened in the early 1990s and has several places of historical interest near the city, was originally a gas manager’s office located elsewhere in Downpatrick.
• Downpatrick is also a bus station on the Trans Ballydugan Road.

Training

Elementary Schools

• Downpatrick Primary School – “controlled” Primary School.
• Bunscoil Naomh Pádraig ( St Patrick Primary School ) – irländsk tal Primary School.
• Down High School Prep – Department. “Checked” Primary School.
• St Brigid’s Primary School – Roman Catholic elementary school.
• St Colmcille Primary School – Roman Catholic elementary school.
• Our Lady & St Patrick’s Primary School – Roman Catholic elementary school. (St Patrick’s Boys Primary School and Convent of Mercy Primary School together in this school which is located at the old Mercy convent building, with a new school building in the planning stage.)

Post-primary schools

• Down High School – “Controlled” coeducational Grammar School
• De la Salle High school – romersk-katolsk all-male High School
• Blackwater High School – Integrated High School
• St Marys High School – Roman Catholic all-female High School
• St Patrick’s Grammar School (known locally as “The Red High”) – all male Catholic grammar school (even girls are admitted in the sixth form)

Further and higher education

• Southeast Regional College (Downpatrick Campus) – the local regional campuses further and higher education college

Media

The area is served by two weekly newspapers:

• Down News  – Established in 2009, the online newspaper provides the County Down area with the latest news can be accessed from anywhere.
• Down Recorder  – established in 1836

Community radio:

• FM 105 is the local community radio station broadcasting on 105.0 MHz. The station’s parent organization is the Southeast Regional College.

People

• Ann Breen, a country singer, is from Downpatrick. She is often called “The Star of the County Down”.
• Lynn Doyle, pseudonym of the humorist and playwright Leslie Alexander Montgomery was born in Downpatrick October 5, 1873 (died August 18, 1961). He was part of the Ulster Literary Theatre movement and is best known for its  Ballygullion  series of twenty books fondly caricatured Northern Ireland village life. He chose his pseudonym after seeing a large can of linseed oil in a paint shop initially sign “Lynn C. Doyle” but later drop the “C”.
• Dr. Maurice Hayes, former Northern Ireland Ombudsman, Chairman of the Ireland Funds and the Prime Minister appointed Senator in Seanad Éireann, was born and still lives in Downpatrick. He has written a memoir about growing up in the city the title of  black pudding with Slim  . He served as town clerk of Downpatrick in 1960, succeeding his father in the role.
• Rock band Ash, Relish, and Rosetta Stone is from Downpatrick.
• Tim Wheeler, the lead singer of the rock band Ash is from Downpatrick.
• Paul Mahon, guitarist of the rock band The answer is from Downpatrick.
• James Heatley, drummer rock band The Answer lives in Downpatrick.
• Ian Mitchell from the band Bay City Rollers was born in Downpatrick.
• Former Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) Leader Margaret Richie MLA was born and also lives in Downpatrick.
• Barry Holland Glentoran FC is from Downpatrick.
• Tony Dobbin 1997 winner of the Grand National is from Downpatrick.
• The comedian Colin Murphy is from Downpatrick.
• Patrick Kielty deltog (Patrick grammatik) skola i Downpatrick.
• Kington miles journalist, musician and programs born in Downpatrick.
• Thomas Russell, the United Irishman founder who took part in the Irish rebellion in 1798 and Robert Emmet’s failed rebellion in 1803 was gaoled and executed at Down County Gaol by hanging on October 21 1803. His memory is honored by the local GAA club is named after him.
• Robert Scott, the recipient of the Victoria Cross
• Folk and Ballad Group “poteen” is from Downpatrick

Sports & Clubs

Gaelic game

Downpatrick is home to RGU Dun Phádraig GAC. Russell Gaelic Union was founded by an Englishman, a Scotsman and an Irishman Willie King Alex McDowell, and Willie Byrne, respectively, in the county town in the early 20th century. ^{[ Citation needed ]}  The team traditionally wears green and white hoops. Downpatrick have had mixed fortunes over the years, but have still managed to produce excellent county footballer Ray McConville, Conor Deegan, ochBarry Breen, who all won All-Irelands with Down. Peter and Damien Turley’s current Down player. The club was named after United Irishman, Thomas Russell (rebel).  

Cricket

Downpatrick Cricket Club has won the Irish Senior Cup on two occasions, the NCU Senior League six times and NCU Challenge Cup on six occasions.The club’s Strangford Road ground has hosted Ireland international matches, the last against Australia ‘A’ and South Africa in 1998.  ^[20]

Rugby union

The Society of Downpatrick also has two rugby clubs.  ^[21]  These clubs are Ballynahinch Rugby Football  ^[22]  and Dromorer Rugby Football.

Association football

Downpatrick most prominent team is Downpatrick FC, who compete in the Northern Amateur Football League. However, there are many other clubs in conjunction with the city and the surrounding areas. These include Castle Abbey FC, FC Ballynagross  ^[23]  and Glass Ross County FC  ^[24]

There are also many youth teams such as Celtic Bhoys, Ballynagross Shamrocks, Ross Ice cream and Patrician, who along with many other teams in the area, participating in Downpatrick Youth League. Downpatrick also has two female clubs in the city Ballyvange Ladies FC & Downpatrick Ladies FC competing in the Northern Ireland Football woman. Most famous football side of Downpatrick was  Patrick Rec  won the Steel & Sons Cup 1978. Downpatrick is home to one of the largest Irish branches of the Manchester United Supporters ‘Club,  Downpatrick Manchester United Supporters’ Club  , founded in 1993.

Snooker and billiards

Downpatrick is also home to Downpatrick & District Snooker & Billiards League.  ^[25]  Many of the local towns compete in the highly successful leagues. Teams from Downpatrick, Newcastle, Ballynahinch, Crossgar, Drumaness, Ballykinler, Castlewellan, Newtownards and Bally Alton strive to be the best in the local district. The league currently has Northern Ireland Billiards and Snooker Association billiards champion Darren Dornan plays in the league.

Scalar

Downpatrick Bowling Club is located on the Old Belfast Road, Downpatrick.Having been around since the early 1950s, it is only in recent years that they finally have had a long period of success. The club won the Irish Bowling Association Junior Cup for the first time in its history in 2006. The following year they again reached the final only to be beaten by Cookstown in a close encounter. But the club once again regained the Irish Cup in 2011 with a resounding victory against Kilrea. In 2011 won Downpatrick also PGL Midweek Division 2 title.

Other sports

Downpatrick Golf Club  ^[26]  have their own club grounds. The city also has its own tennis club Downpatrick Tennis Club  ^[27]  Downpatrick, several other clubs using the facilities in Down Leisure Centre (run by Down District Council) as Lecale Amateur Swimming Club, Downpatrick School of Survival and East Down Athletics Club.

youth Clubs

• Youth Initiative  started its third branch in Downpatrick in 2007. It is a cross community youth organization / charity which aims to bring hope, inspire initiatives mobilizing young people to make a decisive contribution to society and reconciliation in Northern Ireland through the discovery and renewal of the Christian faith in everyday life . Their work ranges from outreach / detached youth work within the municipality property to the weekly youth scholarships in local churches.
• Patrician Youth Centre  is a full-time volunteer Catholic Parish Youth Centre, which is centrally located in the town of Downpatrick ago in 1981.

annalistic references

Se Annals of Inisfallen

• AI1026.5 Mael Petair Ua hAilecáin, lektor Dun DA Lethglas, vilade i Kristus.

See also

• Downpatrick (Ireland Parliament constituency)
• Brian Faulkner, Baron Faulkner av Downpatrick
• Edward Windsor, Lord Downpatrick
• List of cities in Northern Ireland
• List of villages in Northern Ireland

References

1. Jump up ^  “Jordan Castle” (PDF). Ministry of the Environment. Pulled 02/10/2012.
2. Jump up ^  “St. Patrick in Co. Down “(PDF). Ministry of the Environment. Pulled 02/10/2012.
3. Hoppa upp ^  “Names Database Ireland – placen Database of Ireland”.logainm.ie. 13 December 2010. Skrevs of Hämtat 2 oktober 2012.
4. Jump up ^ Mallory, JP; McNeill, TE (1991). The Archaeology of Ulster from Colonization to Plantation. Belfast Institute of Irish Studies, QUB.pp. 95th
5. Jump up ^ an archaeological survey of County Down , HMSO, Belfast, 1966, p.98
6. Jump up ^ life of St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland
7. Jump up ^ Gerald of Wales, topography Ireland
8. Jump up ^ DeBreffny, D; Mott, G (1976). The churches and monasteries of Ireland. London: Thames & Hudson. pp. 60-61.
9. Jump up ^ [1]
10. Jump up ^ selected reports from Belfast Newsletter
11. Jump up ^ Evans, E. (1966). Prehistoric and early Christian Ireland. A Guide. London: BT Batsford. pp. 93-94.
12. Jump up ^ Ministry of the Environment for Northern Ireland (1983).Historic monuments in Northern Ireland. Belfast HMSO. pp. 88th
13. Jump up ^ Ministry of the Environment for Northern Ireland (1983).Historic monuments in Northern Ireland. Belfast HMSO. pp. 113-114.
14. Jump up ^ Donnelly, JP; Donnelly, MM (1980). Downpatrick and Lecale.A brief historical guide. pp. 42-43.
15. Jump up ^  “Lough money – Wild Swim map”. Outdoor Society.
16. Jump up ^  “Angling at Lough Money.” Nidirect.
17. Jump up ^  “Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency”. NISRA.Pulled in two October 2012.
18. Jump up ^  “Ninis | Neighbourhood Statistics NI “. Ninis.nisra.gov.uk. 9 February, 2010. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
19. Jump up ^  “Downpatrick station” (PDF). Railscot – Irish Railways.Retrieved Twelve October of 2007.
20. Jump up ^  “Ireland statistics”. Cricketeurope4.net. Pulled in two October 2012.
21. Jump up ^  “Downpatrick Sports clubs | Patrick Clubs | Clubs in Downpatrick. ” Activdownpatrick.com. Pulled in two October 2012.
    
22. Jump up ^  “Ballynahinch Rugby Football Club.” www.hinchrfc.com.Pulled in two October 2012.
23. Jump up ^  “Ballynagross Football Club”. Ballynagrossfc.com. March 3, 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
24. Jump up ^ Ross Ice cream County. “Home.” Rossglasscounty.net. Pulled in two October 2012.
25. Jump up ^  “Downpatrickdistrict-Snookerbilliards.com”.Downpatrickdistrict-Snookerbilliards.com. Pulled in two October 2012.
26. Jump up ^  “Welcome”. Downpatrick Golf Club. Pulled in two October 2012.
27. Jump up ^  “Downpatrick Tennis Club”. Downpatrick Tennis Club.Pulled in two October 2012.

County Down  (named after its county town, Downpatrick)  ^{[3] [4]}  is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the northeastern part of the island of Ireland. Bordering on the southeastern shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2448 km ² (945 sq mi) and has a population of about 531,665. It is also one of the thirty-two traditional counties of Ireland and is within the province of Ulster. 

The county archaically called  Downshire  . It borders County Antrim to the north, the Irish Sea to the east and south, County Armagh to the west, and County Louth Carlingford Lough to the southwest. In the eastern part of the county is Strangford Lough and the Ards Peninsula. The largest town is Bangor, on the northeast coast. Three other major cities are on its edge: Newryligger on the western border with County Armagh, while Lisburn and Belfast is located 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 is currently one of only two counties in Ireland to have a majority of the population from a Protestant background, according to the census of 2001.The other is County Antrim in the north. The largest religion in South Down, however, Catholicism.

Geography

Down contains two major 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 fastlandet.Down also a part of the shores of Lough Neagh. Less loughs include Lough Island Reavy.

The Lagan forms most of the border with County Antrim. The River Bann also flows through the southwestern areas of the county. Other rivers are Clanrye and Quoile.

There are several islands off the Down coast: Mew Island, Light House Island and Copeland Islands, all located north of the Ards peninsula. Gunn Island is located off Lecale kusten.Dessutom are a large number of small islands in Strangford Lough.

County Down is where, to quote the famous song by Percy French “Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea,” and the granite Mourne Mountains continue to be known for its skönhet.Slieve Donard, at 849 m (2785 ft), is the highest top of the Mournes in Northern Ireland and the province of Ulster. Another important peak is Slieve Croob, at 534 m (1,752 ft), source of the River Lagan.

Tourist attractions

• An area of County Down is called Bronte Homeland (located between Banbridge and Rathfriland, where Patrick Brontë had his church), after Patrick Brontë (originally Brunty), father of Anne, Charlotte, Emily and Branwell. Patrick Bronte was born in this region.
• The town of Newry in the southern part of the county includes St. Patrick’s (Church of Ireland, 1578), overlooking the city center of Church Street, on the east side of the city, considered to be Ireland’s first ever Protestant church.  ^{[ Quote necessary ]}  the Newry Canal is also the first summit-level canal ever built in the British Isles.  
• Downtown is also home to Exploris, Northern Ireland aquarium, located in Portaferry, on the shore of Strangford Lough, Ards peninsula.
• The Old Inn in Crawfordsburn is one of Ireland’s oldest hostelries, with records dating back to 1614. However, it is preceded by the Donaghadee Grace Neill’s, which opened in 1611. The old inn argue that people who have lived include Jonathan Swift, Dick Turpin, Peter the great, Lord Tennyson, Charles Dickens, Anthony Trollope, the former US President George HW Bush, and CS Lewis, who honeymooned there.  ^[5]
• Scrabo Tower, Newtownards, was built as a memorial to Charles Stewart, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry.
• Saint Patrick is said to be buried in Down Cathedral in Downpatrick, said along St. Brigid  ^{[ citation needed ]}  and St. Columba  ^{[ citation needed ]}  .    
• Saul County Down (from the Irish: Sabhall means “children”) – where Saint Patrick said his first communion in Ireland

A steam train påjärnvägsDownPatrick and County Down Traveling through Ulster drumlin belt near Downpatrick.

History

During Williamite war in Ireland (1689-1691) County was a center of Protestant rebellion against the rule of the Catholic James II. After forming a scratch force Protestants defeated avirländska army at Break of Dromore and forced to retreat, leading to the full Down covered Jacobite control. Later that year, Marshal Schomberg’s big Williamite expedition arrived in Belfast Lough and captured Bangor. After laying siege to Carrickfergus Schomberg marsche south Dundalk Camp clearing County Down and much of the rest of eastern Ulster of Jacobite troops.

settlements

(population of 75,000 or more at the 2001 census)  ^[12] Cities

• Belfast – eastern suburbs of the city lies partly in County Down but mainly County Antrim
• Lisburn – the eastern suburbs of the city lies partly in County Down but mainly County Antrim
• Newry – the eastern suburbs of the city lies partly in County Down but mainly County Armagh

big Cities

(population of 18,000 or more and 75,000 at the 2001 census)  ^[12]

• bangor
• Dundonald
• newtownards

Medium cities

(population of 10,000 or more and 18,000 at the 2001 census)  ^[12]

• Banbridge
• Downpatrick
• Holywood
• Carryduff

Small towns

(population of 4,500 or more and 10,000 at the 2001 census)  ^[12]

• Ballynahinch
• Comber
• Donaghadee
• Dromore
• Kilkeel
• newcastle
• Warrenpoint

Ballygowan Saintfield

Between settlements(population of 2250 or more and in 4500 at the 2001 census)  [12] Ballygowan Castlewellan Hillsborough Killyleagh moira Door Rostrevor Saintfield Waringstown villages (population of 1,000 or more and for 2250 at the 2001 census)  [12] Annahilt Annalong Ardglass Ballywalter Crossgar Drumaness Drumbeg Dundrum Gilford Greyabbey Helens Bay Kilcoo Kircubbin Magheralin Millisle Portavogie Rathfriland

Small villages and hamlets(population of less than 1,000 at the 2001 census)  [12] Atticall Annsborough Ballela Ballyhalbert Ballyhornan Ballykinler Bally Bryansford burren Cabra, County Down Carrowdore Clough Cloughey Crawfordsburn Donaghcloney Dromara Gilnahirk Groom Hilltown Killinchy Killough Lawrence Leitrim Listooder Longstone Loughbrickland Loughinisland Mayobridge Saul Scarva Seaforde Sheeptown Strang Toye

subdivisions

baronies

Main article: Barony (Ireland)

• Ards Lower (from Irish:  Aird  )
• Upper ards
• Lower Castlereagh
• Upper Castlereagh
• Dufferin (from Irish:  Duifrian  )
• Iveagh Lower Bottom half (from Irish:  Uibh Eachach  )
• Lower Iveagh, upper half
• Iveagh upper, lower half
• Iveagh upper, upper half
• Kinelarty (from Irish:  Cineál Fhártaigh  )
• Lecale Lower (from Irish:  Leath Cathail  )
• Upper Lecale
• Lordshipen Newry
• Mourne (from Irish:  Múrna  )

weekend

Main article: List of civil parishes in County Down

townlands

Main article: List of townlands in County Down

Sport

The compound football

In conjunction football, NIFL Premiership has that serves as the top division, a team in the county: Warren Town FC, with Ards FC Banbridge Town FC, Bangor FC and Lisburn Distillery FC competes in NIFL Championship, which serves as levels two and three.

Gaelic game

The Down County Board administers Gaelic games in the county. Downstairs is the most successful team north of the border in terms of All-Ireland Senior Football Championship won by five in total. As for the parts Ulster honor with Cavan also has 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 below 21 all Ireland title (1979).

Golf

County Down is also home to the No.1 ranked golf course outside the United States, according to  Today’s Golfer  , Royal County Down, which is located in Newcastle.

Currently ranked the No.1 golfer in the world, Rory McIlroy comes from Holywood, located in the northern part of the county.

popular culture

“Star of the County Down” is a popular Irish ballad.

The county is named in the lyrics “Around The World”, from the film  Around the World in 80 Days  , which was a US top ten hit for Bing Crosby and UK top ten hit for Ronnie Hilton, both in 1957, although it was Mantovani instrumental version actually used in the film. Rihanna’s video “We Found Love” was filmed there in 2011.  ^{[ citation needed ]}  

The Northern Irish singer Van Morrison has referred to County Down in the lyrics to several songs including “Northern Muse (Solid Ground)”, “Mystic of the East” and the nostalgic “Coney Island” as the name of several places and landmarks in the Shire.

21st century railways

• Northern Ireland Railways
• Downpatrick and County Down Railway

historic railways

• Belfast and County Down Railway
• Great Northern Railway Irland

See also

• Kloster och priories i Nordirland (County Down)
• List of places in County Down
• Lord Lieutenant of Down
• High Sheriff of Down

References 

1. Jump up ^ 2008 Annual Ulster Scots North-South Ministerial Council.
2. Jump up ^ Annual Report in Ulster Scots the 2006 North-South Ministerial Council.
3. Jump up ^ Taylor, Isaac.  The names and their stories  . Rivingtons, 1898. p.111
4. Hoppa upp ^ Lewis, Samuel.  A topographical Dictionary of Ireland (1837); “Look Down”.
5. Jump up ^ Bangor Old Inn website
6. Jump up ^ For the 1653 and 1659 figures from the Civil Survey Census of those years, the paper Mr. Hardinge Royal Irish Academy March 14, 1865.
7. Jump up ^ Census of post 1821 figures.
8. Jump up ^ org
9. Jump up ^ gov.uk
10. Jump up ^ Lee, JJ (1981). “On the accuracy of pre-famine Irish censuses”. In the Gold Strom, JM; Clarkson, LA Irish population, economy and society: Essays in Honour of the late KH Connell. Oxford, England: Clarendon Press.
11. Jump up ^  Mokyr, Joel; O Smooth, Cormac (November 1984). “New Developments in the Irish population history, 1700-1850”. The Economic History Review.  37 (4) :. 473-488 doi: 10.1111 / j.1468-0289.1984.tb00344.x.
12. ^ Jump up to: ^{a b c d e f g} “Statistical Classification of settlements”. NI Neighbourhood Information Service. Taken 23 februari2009.