History
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1659 | 6,748 | — |
| 1821 | 197,427 | +2825.7% |
| 1831 | 220,134 | +11.5% |
| 1841 | 232,393 | +5.6% |
| 1851 | 196,084 | −15.6% |
| 1861 | 190,086 | −3.1% |
| 1871 | 179,260 | −5.7% |
| 1881 | 163,177 | −9.0% |
| 1891 | 143,289 | −12.2% |
| 1901 | 125,392 | −12.5% |
| 1911 | 120,291 | −4.1% |
| 1926 | 110,070 | −8.5% |
| 1937 | 108,815 | −1.1% |
| 1951 | 114,154 | +4.9% |
| 1961 | 117,594 | +3.0% |
| 1966 | 125,164 | +6.4% |
| 1971 | 133,969 | +7.0% |
| 1981 | 133,230 | −0.6% |
| 1991 | 141,585 | +6.3% |
| 2001 | 162,957 | +15.1% |
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 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 the Catholic Church continues to be his see. County Armagh is one of four counties of Northern Ireland to presently have a majority of the population from a Catholic background, according to the 2001 census.
Read more about this topic: County Armagh
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“To a surprising extent the war-lords in shining armour, the apostles of the martial virtues, tend not to die fighting when the time comes. History is full of ignominious getaways by the great and famous.”
—George Orwell (1903–1950)
“If usually the “present age” is no very long time, still, at our pleasure, or in the service of some such unity of meaning as the history of civilization, or the study of geology, may suggest, we may conceive the present as extending over many centuries, or over a hundred thousand years.”
—Josiah Royce (1855–1916)
“There is nothing truer than myth: history, in its attempt to “realize” myth, distorts it, stops halfway; when history claims to have “succeeded” this is nothing but humbug and mystification. Everything we dream is “realizable.” Reality does not have to be: it is simply what it is.”
—Eugène Ionesco (b. 1912)