It is bounded, on the north-west and north, by County Antrim; on the north-east, by the North Channel; on the east and south-east, by the Irish Sea; on the south, by Carlingford Lough, which separates it from the Irish Republic; and on the south-west and west, by County Armagh.
Most of its boundary line with County Antrim is formed by the River Lagan and Belfast Lough; whereas most of that with County Armagh by the Newry Canal and River, and a tiny projecting wing between counties Antrim and Armagh touches the south-east point of Lough Neagh; so that, excepting about 15 miles partly south and partly east of the impingement on Lough Neagh, the county is completely insulated.
Its outline is somewhat ellipsoidal, with the greater axis extending from the north-north-east to the south-south-west; but two considerable indentations occur on opposite sides, so as to form a compression at the line of the shorter axis.
The greatest length, in the direction of south by west from Ballymacormick Point to Cranfield Point, is about 56 miles.
The greatest breadth, in nearly the opposite direction from St John's Point to the south-east corner of Lough Neagh, is approximately 26 miles (as the crow flies).
The area is 514,000 acres.
The tallest mountain in County Down (and Northern Ireland), at 2,790 feet, is Slieve Donard in the Mourne Mountains.
First published in February, 2018. Select bibliography ~ Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland, 1841.
1 comment :
My Grandmother Sarah Ward was born in Killenchy ,Bangor County Down. her first child was also born there .before she moved down to the South of Ireland then she was in, Tipperary, I was told we have some connection in history to the Wards of Castle Ward,
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