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
Famous quotes containing the word history:
“The thing that struck me forcefully was the feeling of great age about the place. Standing on that old parade ground, which is now a cricket field, I could feel the dead generations crowding me. Here was the oldest settlement of freedmen in the Western world, no doubt. Men who had thrown off the bands of slavery by their own courage and ingenuity. The courage and daring of the Maroons strike like a purple beam across the history of Jamaica.”
—Zora Neale Hurston (1891–1960)
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—Albert Camus (1913–1960)
“In nature, all is useful, all is beautiful. It is therefore beautiful, because it is alive, moving, reproductive; it is therefore useful, because it is symmetrical and fair. Beauty will not come at the call of a legislature, nor will it repeat in England or America its history in Greece. It will come, as always, unannounced, and spring up between the feet of brave and earnest men.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)