Down, County, is one of the six historic counties of Northern Ireland. It ceased to be used as an administrative area in 1973, when local government was reorganized. However, local people continue to recognize County Down as a distinct region and still refer to it as a county.
County Down is in southeastern Northern Ireland, between the sea inlets of Belfast Lough, to the north, and Carlingford Lough, to the south. It is bounded by the Irish Sea to the southeast. Strangford Lough, a freshwater lake, also lies within the historic county’s boundaries. The historic county has an area of 952 square miles (2,466 square kilometers). In the west, it extends to the southeast corner of Lough Neagh, Ireland’s largest lake.
Much of the County Down region is low and flat. A feature of the landscape is the clusters of small, egg-shaped hills called drumlins. In the center of the region, the mountains of Slieve Croob rise to a height of 176 feet (54 meters) above sea level. In the south are the magnificent, scenic Mourne Mountains. Slieve Donard, the highest peak in Northern Ireland, rises 2,796 feet (852 meters) in the Mourne Mountains.
Agriculture has long been an important part of the economy of the County Down region. Chief products include barley, dairy produce, oats, potatoes, and wheat. The raising of sheep, cattle, and hogs is also important.
County Down has a special association with Saint Patrick, who is said to be buried in the grounds of Downpatrick Cathedral. The cathedral stands on a mound overlooking the town of Downpatrick, which takes its name from the Irish Dun Phadraig (Patrick’s Fort). The first cathedral to stand on the site was burned down, and the present one dates from the 1100’s. According to legend, Saint Patrick began his Christian missionary work in Ireland about 432 at the nearby village of Saul.
In early Christian times, there were important monastic centers in Bangor and on the Ards Peninsula. Later, Vikings raided the region, giving Strangford and Carlingford the Scandinavian names they now bear.
In the 1100’s, Anglo-Norman barons led by John de Courcy invaded eastern Ulster. In the 1600’s, Scottish settlers brought the language and culture of the Scottish Lowlands to County Down.
In 1798, Ballynahinch was the scene of a determined stand by Presbyterian rebels against the British Army. Soon afterward, northern and eastern County Down became noted for strong loyalty to the United Kingdom. Southern County Down, where the population is mainly Roman Catholic, has had much support for Irish nationalism.
