View source for County Armagh

{{Short description|County in Northern Ireland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2013}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = County Armagh
| native_name        = {{native name|ga|Contae Ard Mhacha}}<br />''Coontie Airmagh/Armagh'' ([[Ulster Scots dialect|Ulster-Scots]])
| settlement_type    = [[Counties of Ireland|County]]
| image_shield       = Coat of Arms County Armagh.png
| motto              = 
| shield_size        = 85px
| nickname           = The Orchard County
| image_map          = Island_of_Ireland_location_map_Armagh.svg
| area_total_km2     = 1327
| area_rank          = [[List of Irish counties by area|27th]]
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="census1971summary">{{cite book |author=Northern Ireland General Register Office |title=Census of Population 1971; Summary Tables |url=https://www.nisra.gov.uk/sites/nisra.gov.uk/files/publications/1971-census-summary-tables.pdf#page=21 |format=PDF |location=Belfast |publisher=HMSO |access-date=28 August 2019 |page=1 |chapter=Table 1: Area, Buildings for Habitation and Population, 1971 |date=1975 |archive-date=23 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723205332/https://www.nisra.gov.uk/sites/nisra.gov.uk/files/publications/1971-census-summary-tables.pdf#page=21 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| seat_type          = [[County town#Historic counties of Northern Ireland|County town]]
| seat               = [[Armagh]]
| population_total   = 194394
| population_rank    = [[List of Irish counties by population|10th]]<ref>{{cite web |title=County |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=COUNTY_NI |website=NISRA |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref>
| population_density_km2   = auto
| population_as_of   = 2021
| subdivision_type   = [[sovereign state|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = [[United Kingdom]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[Countries of the United Kingdom|Region]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Northern Ireland]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[Provinces of Ireland|Province]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Ulster]]
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| elevation_max_m    = 573
| elevation_max_point = [[Slieve Gullion]]
| timezone           = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]]
| utc_offset         = ±0
| timezone_DST       = [[British Summer Time|BST]]
| utc_offset_DST     = +1
| website            =
| postal_code_type   = [[List of postcode areas in the United Kingdom|Postcode area]]
| postal_code        = [[BT postcode area|BT]]
| established_title  = Established
| established_date   = 1584/5
| footnotes          = ''{{lang|ga|Contae Ard Mhacha}}'' is the [[Irish language|Irish]] name; ''{{lang|sco|Coontie Armagh}}''<ref>[http://www.tourismireland.com/CMSPages/GetFile.aspx?guid=dd88f67c-d3bd-465b-800d-b7fe8244f3cf Tourism Ireland: 2007 Yearly Report in Ulster Scots] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717083407/http://www.tourismireland.com/CMSPages/GetFile.aspx?guid=dd88f67c-d3bd-465b-800d-b7fe8244f3cf |date=17 July 2012 }}</ref> and ''{{lang|sco|Coontie Airmagh}}''<ref>[http://www.northsouthministerialcouncil.org/web_2006_ulster_scots_report.pdf North-South Ministerial Council: 2006 Annual Report in Ulster Scots] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130227120556/http://www.northsouthministerialcouncil.org/web_2006_ulster_scots_report.pdf |date=27 February 2013 }}</ref> are [[Ulster Scots dialects|Ulster Scots]] spellings.
| official_name      = 
}}
'''County Armagh''' ({{irish place name|Contae Ard Mhacha}} {{IPA|ga|ˌaːɾˠd̪ˠ ˈwaxə|}}) is one of the six [[counties of Northern Ireland]] and one of the traditional thirty-two [[counties of Ireland]]. It is located in the [[Provinces of Ireland|province]] of [[Ulster]] and adjoins the southern shore of [[Lough Neagh]]. It borders the Northern Irish counties of [[County Tyrone|Tyrone]] to the west and [[County Down|Down]] to the east. The county borders [[County Louth|Louth]] and [[County Monaghan|Monaghan]] to the south and southwest, which are in the [[Republic of Ireland]]. It is named after its [[county town]], [[Armagh]], which derives from the [[Irish language|Irish]] ''Ard Mhacha'', meaning "[[Macha]]'s height". Macha was a [[sovereignty goddess]] in [[Irish mythology]] and is said to have been buried on a wooded hill around which the town of Armagh grew.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Edinburgh Dinnshenchas |url=https://www.ucd.ie/tlh/trans/ws.fl.4.001.t.text.html |website=ucd.ie |access-date=29 April 2024}}</ref> County Armagh is colloquially known as the "Orchard County" because of its many apple orchards.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/yourplaceandmine/armagh/apple_blossom.shtml|title=Your Place And Mine – Armagh -|website=www.bbc.co.uk|access-date=15 March 2018|archive-date=16 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016125920/http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/yourplaceandmine/armagh/apple_blossom.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

The county covers an area of {{convert|1327|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}, making it the smallest of Northern Ireland's six counties by size and the [[List of Irish counties by area|sixth-smallest]] county on the island of Ireland. With a population of 194,394 as of the [[2021 United Kingdom census|2021 census]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Build or find Census 2021 tables {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}}</ref> it is the fourth-most populous county in both Northern Ireland and Ulster. It is the [[List of Irish counties by population|10th most populous]] of Ireland's 32 traditional counties, as well as the fifth-most densely populated. In addition to the city of Armagh and the western portion of the city of [[Newry]], notable towns in the county include [[Lurgan]], [[Portadown]] and [[Craigavon]].

==Etymology==
The name ''Armagh'' derives from the Irish ''{{lang|ga|Ard Macha}}'', meaning ''Macha's height''/''Macha's high place''. Macha is a mythological figure who is mentioned in ''[[Lebor Gabála Érenn|The Book of the Taking of Ireland]]''. Macha is also said to have been responsible for the construction of the hill site of {{lang|ga|[[Emain Macha]]}} (now Navan Fort near [[Armagh|Armagh City]]) to serve as the capital of the {{lang|ga|[[Ulaid]]}} kings (who give their name to [[Ulster]]) and is believed to be the high place from which the county takes its name.

==Geography and features==
From its highest point at [[Slieve Gullion]], in the south of the county, Armagh's land falls away from its rugged south with Carrigatuke, Lislea and Camlough mountains, to rolling [[drumlin]] country in the middle and west of the county. In the north it gives way to flatlands where rolling flats and small hills reach sea level at [[Lough Neagh]].

[[File:Orchard, Grange Road, County Armagh, July 2013 (02).JPG|thumb|right|An orchard near Drummannon]]

County Armagh's boundary with [[County Louth|Louth]] is marked by the rugged [[Ring of Gullion]] rising in the south of the county, whilst much of its boundary with counties [[County Monaghan|Monaghan]] and [[County Down|Down]] goes unnoticed with seamless continuance of drumlins and small lakes. The [[River Blackwater (Northern Ireland)|River Blackwater]] marks the border with [[County Tyrone]], and Lough Neagh otherwise marks the county's northern boundary.

Numerous uninhabited islands are located in the county's section of Lough Neagh: Coney Island Flat, Croaghan Flat, Padian, Phil Roe's Flat, and the Shallow Flat.

===Climate===
Despite lying in the east of Ireland, Armagh enjoys an [[oceanic climate]] strongly influenced by the Gulf Stream: featuring damp mild winters, and temperate, wet summers. Overall temperatures rarely drop below freezing during daylight hours, though frost is not infrequent in the months November to February. Snow rarely lies for longer than a few hours even in the elevated south-east of the county. Summers are mild and wet and, although with sunshine often interspersed with showers, daylight lasts for almost 18 hours during high-summer.

On 22 July 2021 the record for highest outside air temperature ever measured in Northern Ireland was set in Armagh City when a reading of 31.4&nbsp;°C was registered at [[Armagh Observatory]]'s weather station.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-57932848 | title = NI temperature record broken for third time in a week | work = BBC News | date = 22 July 2021 | publisher = British Broadcasting Corporation | access-date = 22 July 2021 | archive-date = 22 July 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210722160920/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-57932848 | url-status = live }}</ref>

{{Weather box|location = County Armagh| metric first = yes
|Jan high C = 7
|Feb high C = 7.6
|Mar high C = 9.7
|Apr high C = 12.2
|May high C = 15.2
|Jun high C = 17.7
|Jul high C = 19.6
|Aug high C = 19.2
|Sep high C = 16.6
|Oct high C = 13
|Nov high C = 9.5
|Dec high C = 7.6
|year high C = 12.9
|Jan low C = 1.7
|Feb low C = 1.7
|Mar low C = 2.9
|Apr low C = 4
|May low C = 6.3
|Jun low C = 9.1
|Jul low C = 11.4
|Aug low C = 11
|Sep low C = 9
|Oct low C = 6.7
|Nov low C = 3.5
|Dec low C = 2.4
|year low C = 5.8
|Jan precipitation mm = 79.8
|Feb precipitation mm = 57.5
|Mar precipitation mm = 64.9
|Apr precipitation mm = 55.4
|May precipitation mm = 54.4
|Jun precipitation mm = 55.7
|Jul precipitation mm = 52.3
|Aug precipitation mm = 71.9
|Sep precipitation mm = 67.1
|Oct precipitation mm = 81.1
|Nov precipitation mm = 72.1
|Dec precipitation mm = 83.4
|year precipitation mm = 759.4
|source 1 =<ref name="Armagh 1971–2000 averages">{{cite web|url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/sites/armagh.html= |title=Met Office |access-date=4 October 2008 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
|date=August 2010
}}

==History==
{{Historical populations
|state=collapsed
|1653|5904
|1659|6748
|1821|197427
|1831|220134
|1841|232393
|1851|196084
|1861|190086
|1871|179260
|1881|163177
|1891|143289
|1901|125392
|1911|120291
|1926|110070
|1937|108815
|1951|114154
|1961|117594
|1966|125164
|1971|133969
|1981|133230
|1991|141585
|2001|162957
|2011|174792
|2021|footnote=<ref>For 1653 and 1659 figures from Civil Survey Census of those years, Paper of Mr Hardinge to Royal Irish Academy 14 March 1865.</ref><ref>[http://www.cso.ie/census Census for post 1821 figures.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050309005718/http://www.cso.ie/census/ |date=9 March 2005 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.histpop.org  |title=Histpop – The Online Historical Population Reports Website |date= |website=www.histpop.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507023856/http://www.histpop.org/ |archive-date=7 May 2016}}</ref><ref>[http://www.nisranew.nisra.gov.uk/census NISRA – Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (c) 2013] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217095720/http://www.nisranew.nisra.gov.uk/census |date=17 February 2012 }}. Nisranew.nisra.gov.uk (27 September 2010). Retrieved on 23 July 2013.</ref><ref>{{cite book
|last=Lee
|first=JJ
|editor-last=Goldstrom
|editor-first=J. M.
|editor2-last=Clarkson
|editor2-first=L. A.
|title=Irish Population, Economy, and Society: Essays in Honour of the Late K. H. Connell
|year=1981
|publisher=Clarendon Press
|location=Oxford, England
|chapter=On the accuracy of the Pre-famine Irish censuses
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal
  | last1 = Mokyr
  | first1 = Joel
  | author-link = Joel Mokyr
  | last2 = O Grada
  | first2 = Cormac
  | title = New Developments in Irish Population History, 1700–1850
  | journal = The Economic History Review
  | volume =  37
  | issue =  4
  | pages = 473–488
  |date=November 1984
  | url = http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/120035880/abstract
  | archive-url = https://archive.today/20121204160709/http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/120035880/abstract
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 2012-12-04
  | doi = 10.1111/j.1468-0289.1984.tb00344.x
  | hdl = 10197/1406
  | hdl-access = free
  }}</ref>
|194394}}

Ancient Armagh was the territory of the [[Ulaid]] (also known as Voluntii, Ultonians, Ulidians, Ulstermen) before the fourth century AD. It was ruled by the [[Red Branch]], whose capital was [[Emain Macha]] (or Navan Fort) near Armagh. The site, and subsequently the city, were named after the [[goddess]] [[Macha]]. The Red Branch play an important role in the [[Ulster Cycle]], as well as the [[Táin Bó Cúailnge|Cattle Raid of Cooley]]. 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 clan]]s of the county were descendants of the Collas, the O'Hanlons and [[Mac Cana]], and the [[Uí Néill]], 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. The area around the base of [[Slieve Gullion]] near Newry also became home to a large number of the Clan McGuinness as they were dispossessed of hereditary lands held in the [[County Down]].

[[St. Patrick]] is considered the first bishop of the Diocese of Armagh. The 9th-century Irish [[illuminated manuscript]] [[Book of Armagh]] (also known as the ''Cannon of Patrick'') contains accounts of Patricks' life, his Confessio and a complete New Testament.<ref>{{cite book |last=Meehan |first=Cary |date=2004 |title=Sacred Ireland |url= |location=Somerset |publisher=Gothic Image Publications |page=48 |isbn=0 906362 43 1 |access-date=}}</ref> The book is now held at the library of [[Trinity College Dublin]].

During the 17th and 18th centuries, County Armagh was a major center of [[guerrilla warfare]], [[cattle raiding]], and [[brigandage]] by local [[Rapparee]]s; including Count [[Redmond O'Hanlon (outlaw)|Redmond O'Hanlon]], Cormacke Raver O'Murphy, and [[Seamus McMurphy|Séamus Mór Mac Murchaidh]].<ref>Tony Nugent (2013), ''Were You at the Rock? The History of Mass Rocks in Ireland'', Liffey Press, Dublin. Pages 32–39.</ref>

County Armagh is presently one of four [[Counties of Ireland|counties]] of Northern Ireland to have a majority of the population from a [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] background, according to the [[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 census]].

===The Troubles===
{{Main|The Troubles in Armagh}}
The southern part of the county has been a stronghold of support for the [[Provisional Irish Republican Army|Provisional IRA]], earning it the nickname "Bandit Country".<ref>{{cite news | title = Myth of Bandit Country | url = http://www.cuchulainntours.com/recent-history | publisher = Iarchimi Ard Mhacha Theas | date = 16 May 2014 | access-date = 16 May 2014 | location = Armagh | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140517152636/http://www.cuchulainntours.com/recent-history | archive-date = 17 May 2014 | url-status = dead }}</ref> South Armagh is predominantly [[Irish nationalist|nationalist]], with much of the population being opposed to any form of British presence, especially that of a [[British army|military]] nature. The most prominent opposition to British rule was the [[Provisional IRA South Armagh Brigade]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Pirates, Terrorists, and Warlords: The History, Influence, and Future of Armed Groups Around the World|editor1-first=Jeffrey|editor1-last=Norwitz|page=107|publisher=Skyhorse Publishing|year=2009|isbn=978-1-626-36987-0}}</ref>

On 10 March 2009, the [[Continuity Irish Republican Army]] (CIRA), a republican paramilitary group that emerged from a split in the Provisional IRA, claimed responsibility for the fatal shooting of a [[Police Service of Northern Ireland|PSNI]] officer in [[Craigavon (planned town)|Craigavon]], County Armagh—the first police fatality in Northern Ireland since 1998. The officer was fatally shot by a sniper as he and a colleague investigated "suspicious activity" at a house nearby when a window was smashed by youths causing the occupant to phone the police. The PSNI officers responded to the emergency call, giving a CIRA sniper the chance to shoot and kill officer Stephen Carroll.<ref>{{cite news | title = Continuity IRA shot dead officer | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7934426.stm | work = BBC News | date = 10 March 2009 | access-date = 10 March 2009 | location = London | archive-date = 13 April 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210413171633/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7934426.stm | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Continuity IRA claims PSNI murder |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0310/craigavon.html |publisher=[[RTÉ News and Current Affairs]] |date=10 March 2009 |access-date=10 March 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090311135830/http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0310/craigavon.html |archive-date=11 March 2009 }}</ref>

==Administration==
The county was administered by [[Armagh County Council]] from 1899 until the abolition of county councils in Northern Ireland in 1973.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/apni/1972/9/contents|title=Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972|publisher=Legislation.gov.uk|access-date=29 November 2019|archive-date=30 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030152505/http://www.legislation.gov.uk/apni/1972/9/contents|url-status=live}}</ref>

County Armagh remains officially used for purposes such as a [[Lieutenancy area]] – the county retains a [[Lord Lieutenant of Armagh|lord lieutenant]] who acts as representative of the [[British Monarch]] in the county.<ref>See the Northern Ireland (Lieutenancy) Order 1975 (SI 1975 No. 156)</ref>

Currently the county is covered for local government purposes by three [[Local Councils in Northern Ireland|district councils]], namely [[Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council]], approximately the western third of [[Newry, Mourne and Down Council]] and a part of [[Mid Ulster District Council]], centred around [[Peatlands Park]].

Armagh ceased to serve as an [[electoral constituency]] in 1983 but remains the core of the [[Newry and Armagh (UK Parliament constituency)|Newry and Armagh]] constituency represented at [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|Westminster]] and the [[Newry and Armagh (Assembly constituency)|Newry and Armagh]] constituency represented in the [[Northern Ireland Assembly]]. County Armagh also remains as a district for legal and property purposes; however, its [[Barony (Ireland)|baronies]] no longer have any administrative use.

The -XZ suffix is currently used on [[vehicle registration plate]]s for vehicles registered in County Armagh. Other suffixes have been -IB and -LZ. These marks are followed by up to four numbers, e.g., JLZ 6789

== Demography ==
{{bar box
|title = Religious Background in Armagh (2021)
|titlebar=#ddd |left1=Religion |right1=Per cent |float=right
|bars =
{{bar percent|[[Catholic]]|DarkOrchid|58.2}}
{{bar percent|[[Protestant]] and Other Christian|Blue|34.0}}
{{bar percent|None|grey|6.7}}
{{bar percent|Other faiths|grey|1.2}}
}}
As of the 2021 Census, County Armagh recorded a population of 194,394.<ref name=":0" /> It is one of four counties in Northern Ireland with a Catholic majority, with 58% of the population coming from a Catholic community background. Around 10% of the population was born outside the United Kingdom and Ireland, mainly immigrants from the European Union and concentrated in the Craigavon urban area ([[Lurgan]], [[Portadown]] and [[Craigavon, County Armagh|Craigavon]]).

=== Community background and religion ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Religion or religion brought up in (2021 Census)<ref name=":0" />
!Religion or religion brought up in
!Number
!(%)
|-
|Catholic
|113,093
|58.2
|-
|Protestant and Other Christian
|66,021
|34.0
|-
|None (no religion)
|13,018
|6.7
|-
|Other religion
|2,262
|1.2
|-
!Total
!194,394
!100.0
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+Religion (2021 Census)<ref name=":0" />
!Religion
!Number
!(%)
|-
!Christian
!166,538
!85.7
|-
|[[Catholic Church in Ireland|Catholic]]
|107,058
|55.1
|-
|[[Church of Ireland]]
|24,437
|12.6
|-
|[[Presbyterian Church in Ireland|Presbyterian]]
|17,560
|9.0
|-
|[[Methodist Church in Ireland|Methodist]]
|4,194
|2.2
|-
|Other Christian (including Christian related)
|13,290
|6.8
|-
|''Protestant and Other Christian: Total''
|''59,481''
|''30.6''
|-
!Other
!2,037
!1.0
|-
|[[Islam]]
|882
|0.5
|-
|[[Hinduism]]
|168
|0.09
|-
|Other religions
|986
|0.5
|-
!None/not stated
!25,820
!13.3
|-
|No religion
|22,944
|11.8
|-
|Religion not stated
|2,876
|1.5
|-
!Total
!194,394
!100.0
|}

=== Ethnicity ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Ethnic groups (2021 Census)<ref name=":0" />
!Ethnic group
!Number
!(%)
|-
![[White people|White]]: Total
!188,347
!96.9
|-
|White: British/Irish/Northern Irish/English/Scottish/Welsh <br>(with or without non-UK or Irish national identities)
|172,923
|89.0
|-
|White: Other
|14,542
|7.5
|-
|White: [[Irish Travellers|Irish Traveller]]
|675
|0.3
|-
|White: [[Romani people|Roma]]
|207
|0.1
|-
![[Asian people|Asian]] or [[British Asians|Asian British]]: Total
!2,445
!1.3
|-
|Asian/Asian British: [[British Indians|Indian]]
|615
|0.3
|-
|Asian/Asian British: [[British Chinese|Chinese]]
|589
|0.3
|-
|Asian/Asian British: [[Filipinos in the United Kingdom|Filipino]]
|405
|0.2
|-
|Asian/Asian British: [[British Pakistanis|Pakistani]]
|192
|0.01
|-
|Asian/Asian British: [[Arabs|Arab]]
|107
|0.055
|-
|Asian/Asian British: Other Asian
|537
|0.3
|-
![[Black people|Black]] or [[Black British people|Black British]]: Total
!1,597
!0.8
|-
|Black/Black British: [[British African-Caribbean people|Black African]]
|1,086
|0.6
|-
|Black/Black British: Black Other
|511
|0.2
|-
![[Mixed (United Kingdom ethnicity category)|Mixed]]: Total
!1,480
!0.8
|-
!Other: Any other ethnic group: Total
!522
!0.3
|-
!Total
!194,394
!100.0
|}

=== Country of birth ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Country of birth (2021 Census)<ref name=":0" />
!Country of birth
!Number
!(%)
|-
!United Kingdom and Ireland
!175,548
!90.3
|-
|[[Northern Ireland]]
|162,213
|83.4
|-
|[[England]]
|5,931
|3.1
|-
|[[Scotland]]
|1,071
|0.6
|-
|[[Wales]]
|234
|0.1
|-
|[[Republic of Ireland]]
|6,099
|3.1
|-
!Europe
!14,440
!7.4
|-
|[[European Union]]
|13,946
|7.2
|-
|Other non-EU countries
|494
|0.2
|-
!Rest of World
!4,406
!2.3
|-
|[[Middle East]] and [[Asia]]
|2,356
|1.2
|-
|[[Africa]]
|921
|0.5
|-
|[[North America]], [[Central America]] and [[Caribbean]]
|649
|0.3
|-
|[[Antarctica]], [[Oceania]] and Other
|250
|0.1
|-
|[[South America]]
|230
|0.1
|-
!Total 
!194,394
!100.0
|}

=== Languages spoken ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Main language of all usual residents aged 3 or over (2021 Census)<ref name=":0" />
!Main language
!Usual residents aged 3+
!(%)
|-
|[[English language|English]]
|171,713
|92.0
|-
|[[Polish language|Polish]]
|3,818
|2.0
|-
|[[Lithuanian language|Lithuanian]]
|2,860
|1.5
|-
|[[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]
|1,745
|0.9
|-
|[[Bulgarian language|Bulgarian]]
|1,575
|0.8
|-
|[[Romanian language|Romanian]]
|725
|0.4
|-
|[[Irish language|Irish]]
|564
|0.3
|-
|All other languages
|3,677
|2.0
|-
!Total (usual residents aged 3+)
!186,677
!100.0
|}

=== Knowledge of Irish ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Ability in Irish of all usual residents aged 3 or over (2021 Census)<ref name=":0" />
!Ability in Irish
!Number
!(%)
|-
|Speaks, reads, writes and understands Irish
|9,803
|5.3
|-
|Speaks and reads but does not write Irish
|1,206
|0.6
|-
|Speaks but does not read or write Irish
|4,952
|2.7
|-
|Understands but does not read, write or speak Irish
|13,150
|7.0
|-
|Other combination of skills
|2,553
|1.4
|-
!Has some knowledge of Irish: Total
!31,665
!17.0
|-
|No ability in Irish
|155,012
|83.0
|-
!Total (usual residents aged 3+)
!186,677
!100.0
|}

* In County Armagh, 2.95% claim to use Irish daily and 0.29% claim Irish is their main language.

=== Knowledge of Ulster Scots ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Ability in Ulster Scots of all usual residents aged 3 or over (2021 Census)<ref name=":0" />
!Ability in Ulster Scots
!Number
!(%)
|-
|Speaks, reads, writes and understands Ulster Scots
|1,653
|0.9
|-
|Speaks and reads but does not write Ulster Scots
|723
|0.4
|-
|Speaks but does not read or write Ulster Scots
|1,795
|1.0
|-
|Understands but does not read, write or speak Ulster Scots
|8,813
|4.7
|-
|Other combination of skills
|1,310
|0.7
|-
!Has some knowledge of Ulster Scots: Total
!14,294
!7.7
|-
|No ability in Ulster Scots
|172,383
|92.3
|-
!Total (usual residents aged 3+)
!186,677
!100.0
|}

* 0.98% claim to use Ulster Scots daily in County Armagh.

=== National identity ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+National identity (2021 Census)<ref>{{cite web |title=National identity (person based) - basic detail (classification 1) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=COUNTY_NI&v=NAT_ID_BASIC&%7ECOUNTY_NI=2 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=National Identity (Irish) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=COUNTY_NI&v=NAT_ID_IRISH_AGG3&%7ECOUNTY_NI=2 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=National Identity (British) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=COUNTY_NI&v=NAT_ID_BRITISH&%7ECOUNTY_NI=2 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=National Identity (Northern Irish) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=COUNTY_NI&v=NAT_ID_NORTHERN_IRISH_AGG3&%7ECOUNTY_NI=2 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref>
!National identity
!Number
!%
|-
|Irish only
|75,841
|39.0%
|-
|British only
|48,076
|24.7%
|-
|Northern Irish only
|32,569
|16.8%
|-
|British and Northern Irish only
|11,039
|5.7%
|-
|Irish and Northern Irish only
|3,327
|1.7%
|-
|British, Irish and Northern Irish only
|1,521
|0.8%
|-
|British and Irish only
|773
|0.4%
|-
|Other identity
|21,248
|10.9%
|-
!Total
!194,394
!Total
|-
!All Irish identities
!82,057
!42.2%
|-
!All British identities
!62,771
!32.3%
|-
!All Northern Irish identities
!49,424
!25.4%
|}

==Settlements==
{{Main|List of places in County Armagh}}
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break}}

===Large towns===
(population of 18,000 or more and under 75,000 at 2001 Census)<ref name="NI">{{cite web | title=Statistical classification of settlements | work=NI Neighbourhood Information Service | url=http://www.ninis.nisra.gov.uk/mapxtreme_towns/statistical%20classification.htm | access-date=23 February 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100217122433/http://www.ninis.nisra.gov.uk/mapxtreme_towns/statistical%20classification.htm | archive-date=17 February 2010 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[Newry]] (though part of the settlement is in [[County Down]])
*[[Craigavon, County Armagh|Craigavon]], includes:
**[[Lurgan]]
**[[Portadown]]

===Medium towns===
(population of 10,000 or more and under 18,000 at 2001 Census)<ref name="NI"/>
*[[Armagh]] (has city status)

===Small towns===
(population of 4,500 or more and under 10,000 at 2001 Census)<ref name="NI"/>
*none

===Intermediate settlements===
(population of 2,250 or more and under 4,500 at 2001 Census)<ref name="NI"/>
*[[Bessbrook]]
*[[Keady]]
*[[Richhill, County Armagh|Richhill]]
*[[Tandragee]]

===Villages===
(population of 1,000 or more and under 2,250 at 2001 Census)<ref name="NI"/>
*[[Crossmaglen]]
*[[Markethill]]
*[[Mullavilly]]/[[Laurelvale]]
*[[Poyntzpass]] (a part of the settlement is in [[County Down]])
{{Col-break}}

===Small villages or hamlets===
(population of fewer than 1,000 at 2001 Census)<ref name="NI"/>
*[[Acton, County Armagh|Acton]]
*[[Annaghmore, County Armagh|Annaghmore]]
*[[Annahugh]]
*[[Aughanduff]]
*[[Ardress, County Armagh|Ardress]]
*[[Ballymacnab]]
*[[Bannfoot]]
*[[Belleeks]]
*[[Blackwatertown]]
*[[Bleary]]
*[[Broomhill, County Armagh|Broomhill]]
*[[Camlough]]
*[[Clonmore, County Armagh|Clonmore]]
*[[Charlemont, County Armagh|Charlemont]]
*[[Cladymore]]
*[[Creggan, County Armagh|Creggan]]
*[[Cullaville]]
*[[Cullyhanna]]
*[[Darkley]]
*[[Derryadd]]
*[[Derryhale]]
*[[Derrymacash]]
*[[Derrymore, County Armagh|Derrymore]]
*[[Derrynoose]]
*[[Derrytrasna]]
*[[Dorsey, County Armagh|Dorsey]]
*[[Dromintee]]
*[[Drumnacanvy]]
*[[Edenaveys]]
*[[Forkhill|Forkill]]
*[[Hamiltonsbawn]]
*[[Jonesborough, County Armagh|Jonesborough]]
*[[Killean, County Armagh|Killean]]
*[[Killylea]]
*[[Kilmore, County Armagh|Kilmore]]
*[[Lislea]]
*[[Lisnadill]]
*[[Loughgall]]
*[[Loughgilly]]
*[[Madden, County Armagh|Madden]]
*[[Maghery]]
*[[Meigh]]
*[[Middletown, County Armagh|Middletown]]
*[[Milford, County Armagh|Milford]]
*[[Mountnorris]]
*[[Mullaghbawn]]
*[[Mullaghbrack]]
*[[Mullaghglass]]
*[[Newtownhamilton]]
*[[Scotch Street]]
*[[Silverbridge, County Armagh|Silverbridge]]
*[[Tartaraghan]]
*[[Tynan]]
*[[Whitecross, County Armagh|Whitecross]]
{{col-end}}

==Subdivisions==

{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break}}
'''Baronies'''
[[File:Baronies of Armagh.jpg|right|thumb|The Baronies of County Armagh (1900)]]
{{Main|Baronies of Ireland}}

*[[Armagh (barony)|Armagh]]
*[[Fews Lower]]
*[[Fews Upper]]
*[[Oneilland East]]
*[[Oneilland West]]
*[[Orior Lower]]
*[[Orior Upper]]
*[[Tiranny]]

'''Parishes'''
{{Main|List of civil parishes of County Armagh}}

'''Townlands'''
{{Main|List of townlands in County Armagh}}
{{col-end}}

==Transport==
[[File:M1 Moira (1) - geograph.org.uk - 195736.jpg|right|thumb|The M1 near [[Lurgan]]]]
[[File:Train, Portadown station.jpg|right|thumb|[[Portadown railway station]]]]

County Armagh is traversed by two major highways – the M1 linking Belfast to [[Dungannon]] crosses the north of the county whilst the A1/N1 from [[Belfast]] to [[Dublin]] runs in the far south east. Other major roads in the county include the [[A3 road (Northern Ireland)|A3]] and [[A29 road (Northern Ireland)|A29]].

Armagh once had a well-developed railway network with connections to, among others, Armagh City, [[Cullaville|Culloville]], {{rws|Goraghwood}}, [[Markethill]], {{rws|Vernersbridge}}, [[Tynan]] (see [[History of rail transport in Ireland]]) but today only [[Newry railway station|Newry (Bessbrook)]], {{rws|Portadown}}, {{rws|Poyntzpass}}, {{rws|Scarva}}, and {{rws|Lurgan}} are served by rail.

There is a possible railway re-opening from Portadown to {{rws|Armagh}} in the future.<ref>The Ulster Gazette. 16 May 2013</ref> Government Minister for the [[Department for Regional Development]], [[Danny Kennedy (politician)|Danny Kennedy]] MLA indicates railway restoration plans of the line from [[Portadown railway station|Portadown]] to [[Armagh railway station|Armagh]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.portadowntimes.co.uk/news/local/kennedy-has-rail-hopes-for-armagh-line-restoration-1-5364856|archive-url = https://archive.today/20130821102625/http://www.portadowntimes.co.uk/news/local/kennedy-has-rail-hopes-for-armagh-line-restoration-1-5364856|url-status = dead|archive-date = 21 August 2013|title = Kennedy has hopes for Armagh line restoration – Portadown Times|access-date = 21 August 2013}}</ref>

[[Ulsterbus]] provides the most extensive public transport system within the county, including frequent bus transfers daily from most towns to Belfast. [[Northern Ireland Railways]]/[[Iarnród Éireann]]'s [[Enterprise (train)|Enterprise]] service provides connections to Dublin in little over an hour and Belfast in little over forty minutes, several times daily.

==Inland waterways==

County Armagh is traversed by the [[Ulster Canal]] and the [[Newry Canal]] which are not fully open to navigation.

== Sport ==
In association football, the [[NIFL Premiership]], which operates as the top division, has one team in the county: [[Glenavon F.C.|Glenavon]], with [[Portadown F.C.|Portadown]], [[Annagh United F.C.|Annagh United]], [[Armagh City F.C.|Armagh City]], [[Dollingstown F.C.|Dollingstown]], [[Loughgall F.C.|Loughgall]] and [[Lurgan Celtic F.C.|Lurgan Celtic]] competing in the [[NIFL Championship]], which operates as levels two and three.

The [[Armagh GAA|Armagh County Board]] of the [[Gaelic Athletic Association]] or '''Armagh GAA''' organises [[Gaelic games]] in the county.

== Music ==
County Armagh has a strong tradition of [[Loyalism|loyalist]] and [[Unionism in Ireland|unionist]] [[Marching band|marching bands]], mostly [[accordion]] bands. Marching bands performing at annual parades and community events include the Aughnagurgan Accordion Band, Pride of the Birches Accordion Band and the Edgarstown Accordion Band.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=Staff |date=2023-03-19 |title=St Patrick’s Day comes to an end with marching bands in Armagh City |url=https://armaghi.com/news/armagh-news/st-patricks-day-comes-to-an-end-with-marching-bands-in-armagh-city/204233 |access-date=2025-09-08 |website=Armagh I |language=en}}</ref> The latter two performed in the 2024 [[Belfast International Tattoo]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mann |first=Scott |date=2024-09-05 |title=Two Co Armagh accordion bands to take to stage this weekend at Belfast International Tattoo |url=https://armaghi.com/news/portadown-news/two-co-armagh-accordion-bands-to-take-to-stage-this-weekend-at-belfast-international-tattoo/250287 |access-date=2025-09-08 |website=Armagh I |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-27 |title=Ulster Scots Showcase set for SSE Arena |url=https://www.northernirelandworld.com/arts-and-culture/ulster-scots-showcase-set-for-sse-arena-4757238 |access-date=2025-09-08 |website=NorthernIrelandWorld |language=en}}</ref> The County Armagh Accordion Band made their debut on the international stage in the 2025 Belfast Tattoo.<ref>{{Cite web |title=County Armagh Accordion Band Archives |url=https://belfastinternationaltattoo.com/tag/county-armagh-accordion-band/ |access-date=2025-09-08 |website=Belfast International Tattoo |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Belfast International Tattoo - |url=https://visitbelfast.com/event/the-belfast-international-tattoo/97803101/ |access-date=2025-09-08 |website=visitbelfast.com |language=en-us}}</ref>

==People associated with County Armagh==
{{See also|Category:People from County Armagh}}
* [[Frank Aiken]] (1898–1983), born in County Armagh, [[Irish Republican]], [[Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade|Irish Minister for External Affairs]], [[Tánaiste]]
* Saint [[Benignus of Armagh]], (died 467), first rector of the Cathedral School of Armagh and Bishop of Armagh
* [[Brian Boru]] (941–1014), buried in Armagh City, victor of [[Battle of Clontarf|Clontarf]], [[High King of Ireland]]
* Sir [[Sir Robert Hart, 1st Baronet|Robert Hart]] (1835–1911), born in County Armagh, second Inspector-General of China's [[Imperial Maritime Customs Service]] (IMCS) from 1863 to 1911
* [[Arthur Hunter Palmer]] (1819–1898), born in County Armagh, 5th [[Premier of Queensland]]
* [[Tommy Makem]] (1932–2007), born in County Armagh, singer, musician, and songwriter, often called "The Bard of Armagh"
* [[Seamus Mallon]] (1936–2020), born in County Armagh, first [[deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland]]
* [[Jim McAllister]] (1943–2013), born in [[Crossmaglen]], County Armagh, [[Sinn Féin|politician]] and author
* [[John McCreesh]], American politician who served in the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1935 to 1958 was born in Armagh County in 1881.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pennsylvania State Senate – John J McCreesh Biography |url=https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/BiosHistory/MemBio.cfm?ID=5170&body=S |website=www.legis.state.pa.us |access-date=8 February 2019}}</ref>
* [[Colin Morgan]] (born 1986), born in County Armagh, actor
* [[Paul Muldoon]] (born 1951), born in County Armagh, poet, winner of the [[Pulitzer Prize for Poetry]] and the [[T. S. Eliot Prize]]
* [[Andrew Nesbitt]] (born 1960), raised in Aughnagurgan, County Armagh, professional rally driver and winner of the 2000 and 2002 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship
* [[Tomás Ó Fiaich]] (1923–1990), born in County Armagh, [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|Cardinal]], [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] [[Archbishop of Armagh]] and [[Primate of All Ireland]] 1977–90 
* [[Eunan O'Neill]] (born 1982), born in County Armagh, journalist, [[RT (TV network)|RT TV network]]
* Sir [[William Olpherts]] (1822–1902), born in County Armagh, soldier and recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]]
* [[Ian Paisley]] (1926– 2014), born in County Armagh, clergyman, [[Democratic Unionist Party|politician]], second [[First Minister and deputy First Minister|First Minister of Northern Ireland]]
* [[Saint Patrick]] (fifth century), first Bishop of Armagh
* [[George William Russell]] 'Æ' (1867–1919), born in County Armagh, author, critic and painter
* [[Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh]] (1759–1822), educated in The Royal School, Armagh. British [[Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs|Foreign Secretary]], [[Secretary of State for War and the Colonies|Secretary for War]], [[Leader of the House of Commons|Leader of the United Kingdom House of Commons]] and [[Chief Secretary for Ireland]]
* [[Colin Turkington]] (born 1982), born in Portadown, County Armagh, professional racing driver and [[2009 British Touring Car Championship season|2009 British Touring Car champion]].
* [[James Ussher]] (1581–1656), [[Church of Ireland]] [[Archbishop of Armagh]] and [[Primate of All Ireland]] 1625–1656
* [[Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquess Wellesley]] (1760–1842), educated in The Royal School, Armagh. [[Lord Lieutenant of Ireland]] and [[Governor General of India]]

==Places of interest==
* [[Armagh Observatory]], founded in 1790 & [[Armagh Planetarium]], a modern working astronomical research institute with a rich heritage
* Armagh Public Library on Abbey Street in Armagh City, especially rich in 17th and 18th century English books, including Dean [[Jonathan Swift]]'s own copy of the first edition of his ''[[Gulliver's Travels]]'' with his manuscript corrections
* [[Navan Fort]], now a tree ring mound which once housed the rulers of Ulster with a modern interactive visitor centre
* [[St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh (Church of Ireland)|Saint Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral]], founded 445, seat of the Church of Ireland's Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland, containing the grave of [[Brian Boru]]
* [[St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh (Roman Catholic)|Saint Patrick's Roman Catholic Cathedral]], commenced in 1838, seat of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland, stands on a hill and dominates the local countryside
* [[Gosford Castle]], mock medieval 19th-century castle with substantial grounds
* [[Slieve Gullion]], extinct [[volcano]] with [[Volcanic crater lake|crater lake]], highest burial [[cairn]] in Ireland, views of 9 counties, a [[Mass rock]], and a visitor centre at its foot

==Gallery==

<gallery class="center">
Image:Slieve Gullion.jpg|View of [[Slieve Gullion]]
Image:Enterprise train.jpg|The [[Enterprise (train service)|Enterprise]] near [[Newry railway station|Newry]]
Image:BackofAughanduff.JPG|South Armagh Countryside
Image:Forkhill.JPG|[[Forkhill]] Mountain
Image:Navan.jpg|[[Emain Macha]]
Image:Moyry Castle, Geograph.jpg| Moyry Castle
Image:Kilnasaggart inscribed stone County Armagh 1.jpg| Killnasaggart Stone, 700 A.D.
Image:ArmaghCICathedral.jpg|[[St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh (Church of Ireland)|St. Patrick's Anglican Cathedral]], est. 445
Image:Cathedrale d Armagh.jpg|Armagh City
Image:Central Markethill County Armagh Northern Ireland.JPG|The small town of [[Markethill]]
Image:Stone bridge, Clare Glen, Tanderagee (2) - geograph.org.uk - 1590572.jpg|Clare Glen Forest, [[Tandragee]]
Image:Crossmaglen.jpg|Approach to [[Crossmaglen]]
Image:The Knock Bridge near Portadown - geograph.org.uk - 521158.jpg|The Knock Bridge near [[Portadown]] on the [[Newry Canal]]
Image:GosfordCastle.jpg|[[Gosford Castle]], outside of [[Markethill]]
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[List of monastic houses in Ireland#County Armagh|Abbeys and priories in Northern Ireland (County Armagh)]]
* [[List of Irish counties by area]]
* [[List of Irish counties by population]]
* [[Lord Lieutenant of Armagh]]
* [[High Sheriff of Armagh]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051124234005/http://www.armaghanddown.com/ Armagh and Down tourism]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160130045459/http://www.rootedinireland.com/ Armagh history]
*[http://sammymorse.livejournal.com/18531.html#cutid1 Notes on County Armagh]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080705034958/http://www.irishmegaliths.org.uk/armagh.htm Selected Monuments in County Armagh]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20140517152636/http://www.cuchulainntours.com/recent-history South Armagh – The Myth of Bandit Country]

{{Geographic Location
|North = [[Lough Neagh]]
|South = [[County Louth]] 
|East = [[County Down]] [[File:Down arms.png|36px]]
|West = [[County Monaghan]] 
|Northwest = [[County Tyrone]] [[File:Tyrone arms.svg|30px]]
|Centre = County Armagh
}}

{{County Armagh}}
{{Counties and cities of Northern Ireland}}
{{Ireland_counties}}
{{Places of Interest in County Armagh}}
{{Authority control}}
{{coord|54.3499|N|6.6546|W|region:IE|display=title}}

[[Category:County Armagh| ]]
[[Category:Ulster|Armagh]]
[[Category:Counties of Northern Ireland| ]]
[[Category:Lord-lieutenants of Armagh]]