County Armagh

County Armagh (Contae Ard Mhacha in ) is a in. It is the smallest of the six counties that form. County Armagh is known as the County because the land is so fertile for apple-growing. Its main town is, in the middle of the county, although and , in the north of the county, each have larger populations.

The county borders to the north,  to the east,  to the north-west, and counties  and, both in the , to the south and south-west respectively.

Geography
The runs along the border with County Tyrone. The enters Lough Neagh in the north, flowing though the north-east of the county. Mountains in Armagh include Slieve Gullion, Carrigatuke and Camlough Mountain.

There are also a number of s in the county's section of Lough Neagh: Coney Island, Coney Island Flat, Croaghan Flat, Derrywarragh Island, Padian, Phil Roe's Flat and the Shallow Flat.

History
Ancient Armagh was the territory of the (also known as Voluntii, Ultonians, Ulidians, Ulstermen) before the. They were ruled by the. Nearby Armagh town was their capital,, the Navan Fort. The Red Branch play an important role in the, as well as the. However, they were eventually driven out of the area by the Three Collas, who invaded in the 4th century and held power until the 12th. The Clan Colla ruled the area known as Airghialla or Oriel for these 800 years.

The chief Irish septs of the county were descendants of the Collas, the O'Hanlons and MacCanns, and the, the O'Neills of Fews. Armagh was divided into several baronies: Armagh was held by the O'Rogans, Lower Fews was held by O'Neill of the Fews, and Upper Fews were under governance of the O'Larkins, who were later displaced by the MacCanns. Oneilland East was the territory of the O'Garveys, who were also displaced by the MacCanns. Oneilland West, like Oneilland East, was once O'Neill territory, until it was then held by the MacCanns, who were Lords of Clanbrassil. Upper and Lower Orior were O'Hanlon territory. Tiranny was ruled by Ronaghan. Miscellaneous tracts of land were ruled by O'Kelaghan.

Armagh was the seat of, and in tradition, continues to be his see.

Administration
County Armagh is divided for administrative purposes between three :, most of , and approximately the western third of.

Cities and Towns
The, known as the "city of scholars and saints" is the centre of on the island of Ireland. There are two s in the city, both dedicated to, the of. One is the Cathedral, the seat of the  archbishop, the primate of the. St. Patrick is believed to have founded a church on this site in the, but the present building is mainly a result of thirteenth and nineteenth century re-building, as the church has frequently been destroyed or fallen into decay during the turbulent history of the region. The Cathedral is the seat of the Roman Catholic  and was constructed in the.

,, , and  are also significant towns in County Armagh.

See also:


 * Towns in County Armagh
 * Villages in County Armagh

The Troubles
The South of Armagh was the most militarised region in Western Europe due to the history of. The region has been a stronghold of support for the, earning it the nickname "Bandit Country". South Armagh is predominantly, with most of the population being opposed to any form of presence, especially that of a  nature. See for further information

Notable residents

 * George Buchanan Armstrong, (1822-1871), born in County Armagh, developed new system of sorting mail on trains in the.
 * Samuel Knox, (1756-1832), born in County Armagh,, school principal, and author.

See Also:


 * People from County Armagh