Armagh Postcodes — Northern Ireland (NIR)

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Armagh (...)

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Description of Armagh

Armagh, the county seat of County Armagh (Irish: Contae Ard Mhacha), is one of the six counties that make up Northern Ireland and one of the thirty-two counties that make up the Republic of Ireland. The county has a population of around 175,000 and an area of 1,327 km2 (512 sq mi), which includes land on the southern coast of Lough Neagh. The abundance of apple orchards in County Armagh earned it the nickname "Orchard County." Ulster, an ancient province, once included the county in its territory.

The Irish words ard and macha both mean "height" or "high location," which is where the English word "Armagh" comes from. The Ulaid rulers (from whom we get the name "Ulster") are claimed to have had their start in Macha's hometown of Emain Macha (now Navan Fort in Armagh City), which is described in The Book of the Taking of Ireland.

Geography of Armagh

Slieve Gullion, in the south, is the highest point in Armagh County. From there, the landscape gradually changes, from the rugged south with Carrigatuke, Lislea, and Camlough mountains to the rolling drumlin country in the middle and west of the county, and finally to the flatlands in the north where rolling flats and small hills reach sea level at Lough Neagh.

The mountainous Ring of Gullion, which rises in the south of County Armagh, marks the county's boundary with Louth, whereas the boundary with Monaghan and Down is mostly unremarkable, consisting of a seamless continuation of drumlins and small lakes. County Tyrone's border is delineated by the Blackwater River, and the rest of the northern border is formed by Lough Neagh.

The county's portion of Lough Neagh also contains several uninhabited islands, including Coney Island Flat, Croaghan Flat, Padian, Phil Roe's Flat, and the Shallow Flat.

Climate of Armagh

Armagh has an oceanic climate largely affected by the Gulf Stream, with damp mild winters and temperate, wet summers, despite being located in the east of Ireland. Daytime lows rarely drop below freezing, though frost is not unprecedented from November through February. Even in the more high south-east of the county, snow rarely stays for more than a few hours. Daylight lasts nearly 18 hours in the height of summer, despite the mild temperatures and frequent rain showers that characterize the season.

The weather sensor at Armagh Observatory registered 31.4 degrees Celsius on 22 July 2021, making it the hottest day ever recorded in Northern Ireland.

History of Armagh

Ulaid (also known as Voluntii, Ultonians, Ulidians, and Ulstermen) area encompassed ancient Armagh prior to the fourth century AD. The Red Branch governed from Emain Macha (also known as Navan Fort) in the vicinity of Armagh. Macha, a deity revered by the Incas, was honored by having her name bestowed upon both the location and the future city. A major part of the Ulster Cycle and the Cattle Raid on Cooley would be impossible without the Red Branch. They were finally forced out of the region, however, by the Three Collas, who arrived in the fourth century and ruled until the twelfth. For 800 years, the Clan Colla was in charge of what is now called Airghialla or Oriel.

Collas, O'Hanlons, MacCanns, and U Néill (O'Neills of Fews) were the three largest Irish septs in the county. There were numerous baronies in Armagh, each ruled by a different family: the O'Rogans in Armagh, the O'Neill of the Fews in Lower Fews, and the MacCanns in Upper Fews (who had previously been ruled by the O'Larkins). The O'Garveys, like the MacCanns before them, had been driven out of Oneilland East. In the same way that Oneilland East was previously O'Neill territory, Oneilland West fell under the control of the MacCanns, the Lords of Clanbrassil. The O'Hanlon held sway over both Upper and Lower Orior. Ronaghan's dictatorship was a brutal one. O'Kelaghan governed a jumbled collection of territories. After losing their County Down estates, many members of the McGuinness family settled in the area surrounding the foot of Slieve Guillion, not far from Newry.

Armagh is still considered the see of St. Patrick by the Catholic Church. According to the most recent census (2011), County Armagh is one of only four counties in all of Northern Ireland where the Catholic faith is the dominant religion.