County Armagh is a county
in Ulster. It is the smallest of the six counties that
form Northern Ireland. County Armagh is known as the Orchard
County because the land is so fertile for apple-growing.
Its main town is Armagh, in the middle of the county, although
Lurgan at the extreme north-east has a larger population.
The county borders Lough Neagh to the north, County
Down to the east, County Tyrone to the north-west,
and counties Louth and Monaghan, both in the Republic
of Ireland, to the south and south-west respectively.
The River Blackwater runs along the border with
County Tyrone. The River Bann enters Lough Neagh
in the north, flowing though the north-east of the
county. Mountains in Armagh include Slieve Gullion,
Carrigatuke and Camlough Mountain as well as the
Mega Mountain,which on a clear day day can be seen
as far away as County Donegal.
There are also a number of islands 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.
Ancient Armagh was the territory of the Ulaid (also
known as Voluntii, Ultonians, Ulidians, Ulstermen)
before the fourth century AD. They were ruled by
the Red Branch. Nearby Armagh town was their capital,
Emain Macha, the Navan Fort. The Red Branch play
an important role in the Ulster Cycle, as well as
the 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 septs of the county were descendants
of the Collas, the O'Hanlons and MacCanns, and the
Ui Neill, 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 St. Patrick, and in Roman Catholic
tradition, continues to be his see.