| County Down Contae an Dúin
Coontie Doon / Countie Doun |
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| Motto: Absque Labore Nihil (Latin) "Nothing Without Labour" |
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| Country | United Kingdom | ||
| Region | Northern Ireland | ||
| Province | Ulster | ||
| County seat | Downpatrick | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 945.2 sq mi (2,448 km2) | ||
| Area rank | 12th | ||
| Population (2001) | 492,840 | ||
| • Rank | 4th | ||
| Contae an Dúin is the Irish name, Countie Doun[1] and Coontie Doon[2] are Ulster Scots spellings. | |||
County Down (named after its county town, Downpatrick) is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the south-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,448 km², with a population of about 492,840. It is also one of the thirty-two traditional counties of Ireland, lying within the province of Ulster.
The county was 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 to the southwest. In the east of the county is Strangford Lough and the Ards Peninsula. The largest town is Bangor, 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 is one of only two counties of Ireland to presently have a majority of the population from a Protestant community background, according to the 2001 census. The other is County Antrim.
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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.
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 a large number of small islands in Strangford Lough.
County Down is where, in the words of the famous song by Percy French, "The mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea", and the granite Mourne Mountains continue to be renowned for their beauty. Slieve Donard, at 849 m (2,785 ft), is the highest peak in the Mournes and in Northern Ireland. Another important peak is Slieve Croob, at 534 m (1,752 ft), the source of the River Lagan.
| Historical populations | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1659 | 15,183 | — |
| 1821 | 325,410 | +2043.3% |
| 1831 | 352,012 | +8.2% |
| 1841 | 361,446 | +2.7% |
| 1851 | 320,817 | −11.2% |
| 1861 | 299,302 | −6.7% |
| 1871 | 277,294 | −7.4% |
| 1881 | 248,190 | −10.5% |
| 1891 | 224,008 | −9.7% |
| 1901 | 205,889 | −8.1% |
| 1911 | 204,303 | −0.8% |
| 1926 | 209,228 | +2.4% |
| 1937 | 210,687 | +0.7% |
| 1951 | 241,181 | +14.5% |
| 1961 | 266,939 | +10.7% |
| 1966 | 286,631 | +7.4% |
| 1971 | 311,876 | +8.8% |
| 1981 | 417,978 | +34.0% |
| 1991 | 454,411 | +8.7% |
| 2001 | 489,004 | +7.6% |
| [4][5][6][7][8][9] | ||
(population of 75,000 or more at 2001 Census)[10]
(population of 18,000 or more and under 75,000 at 2001 Census)[10]
(population of 10,000 or more and under 18,000 at 2001 Census)[10]
(population of 4,500 or more and under 10,000 at 2001 Census)[10]
Small villages or hamlets(population of less than 1,000 at 2001 Census)[10]
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Baronies
Parishes
Townlands
The Down County Board administer gaelic games in the county. Down are the most successful team north of the border in terms of All-Ireland Senior Football Championships 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.
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