Editing County Down

{{Short description|County in Northern Ireland}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2012}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = County Down
| native_name        = {{native name|ga|Contae an Dúin}}<br /> {{lang|sco-ulster|Coontie Doon}}/{{lang|sco|Countie Doun}} ([[Ulster Scots dialect|Ulster-Scots]])
| settlement_type    = [[Counties of Ireland|County]]
| image_shield       = County Down Coat of Arms.png
| shield_size        = 150px
| nickname           = [[Mourne Mountains|Mourne]] Country
| motto              = {{lang|la|Absque Labore Nihil}}{{spaces|2}}([[Latin language|Latin]])<br />"Nothing Without Labour"
| image_map          = Island_of_Ireland_location_map_Down.svg
| area_total_km2     = 2489
| area_rank          = [[List of Irish counties by area|12th]]
| 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               = [[Downpatrick]]
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| elevation_max_m    = 850
| elevation_max_point = [[Slieve Donard]]
| 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   = Early 16th century
| population         = 553261
| population_rank    = [[List of Irish counties by population|4th]]
| population_as_of   = 2021
| subdivision_type   = [[sovereign state|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = United Kingdom
| subdivision_type1  = [[Countries of the United Kingdom|Constituent Country]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Northern Ireland]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[Provinces of Ireland|Province]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Ulster]]
| footnotes          = {{lang|ga|Contae an Dúin}} is the [[Irish language|Irish]] name, {{lang|sco|Countie Doun}}<ref>[http://www.northsouthministerialcouncil.org/nsmc_2008_annual_report_ulster_scots-6.pdf 2008 Annual Report in Ulster Scots] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829113246/http://www.northsouthministerialcouncil.org/nsmc_2008_annual_report_ulster_scots-6.pdf |date=29 August 2011 }} North–South Ministerial Council.</ref> and {{lang|sco|Coontie Doon}}<ref>[http://www.northsouthministerialcouncil.org/web_2006_ulster_scots_report.pdf 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 }} North–South Ministerial Council.</ref> are [[Ulster Scots dialects|Ulster Scots]] spellings.
| official_name      =
}}

'''County Down''' ({{irish place name|Contae an Dúin}}) is one of the six [[counties of Northern Ireland]], one of the nine counties of [[Ulster]] and one of the traditional thirty-two [[counties of Ireland]].<ref>Taylor, Isaac. ''Names and Their Histories''. Rivingtons, 1898. p.111</ref><ref>Lewis, Samuel. ''A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland'' (1837); [http://www.libraryireland.com/topog/D/See-of-Down.php "The See of Down"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801160447/http://www.libraryireland.com/topog/D/See-of-Down.php |date=1 August 2017 }}.</ref> It covers an area of {{convert|961|mi2|km2|abbr=on}} and has a population of 552,261.<ref name="2021 pop">{{cite web |title=County |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=COUNTY_NI&%7ECOUNTY_NI=4 |publisher=NISRA |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref> It borders [[County Antrim]] to the north, the [[Irish Sea]] to the east, [[County Armagh]] to the west, and [[County Louth]] across [[Carlingford Lough]] to the southwest.

In the east of the county is [[Strangford Lough]] and the [[Ards Peninsula]]. The largest settlement is [[Bangor, County Down|Bangor]], a city on the northeast coast. Three other large towns and cities are on its border: [[Newry]] lies on the western border with County Armagh, while [[Lisburn]] and [[Belfast]] lie on the northern border with County Antrim. Down contains both the southernmost point of Northern Ireland ([[Cranfield Point]]) and the easternmost point of Ireland ([[Burr Point]]).

It was one of two counties of Northern Ireland to have a [[Protestant]] majority at the time of the [[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 census]]. The other Protestant-majority County was County Antrim to the north.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wouters|first=Ferre|date=2019-03-06|title=Communal counting: The Northern Ireland census|url=https://factcheckni.org/articles/communal-counting-the-northern-ireland-census/|access-date=2021-12-26|publisher=FactCheckNI}}</ref> However, as of the 2021 Census, it is now the only county in which there is a Protestant background majority, as Antrim has Protestant background plurality.<ref name=" religion brought up in">{{cite web |title=Religion or religion brought up in |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=COUNTY_NI&v=RELIGION_BELONG_TO_OR_BROUGHT_UP_IN_DVO&%7ECOUNTY_NI=6 |publisher=NISRA |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref> In the 2021 census, Ards and North Down had the highest number of "No Religion" responses (30.6%) for Northern Ireland.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Northern Ireland Census 2021 |url=https://www.nisra.gov.uk/system/files/statistics/census-2021-main-statistics-for-northern-ireland-phase-1-statistical-bulletin-religion.pdf}}</ref>

In March 2018, ''The Sunday Times'' published its list of Best Places to Live in Britain, including five in Northern Ireland. The list included three in County Down: [[Holywood, County Down|Holywood]], [[Newcastle, County Down|Newcastle]], and [[Strangford]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Price |first=Ryan |title=Five places in Northern Ireland included in Best Places to Live in Britain list |url=https://www.irishpost.com/life-style/five-places-in-northern-ireland-included-in-best-places-to-live-in-britain-list-151651 |date=16 March 2018 |newspaper=[[The Irish Post]] |access-date=2 June 2021 |archive-date=13 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413211215/https://www.irishpost.com/life-style/five-places-in-northern-ireland-included-in-best-places-to-live-in-britain-list-151651 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The county has two cities: [[Newry]] and [[Bangor, County Down|Bangor]]. The latter is the more recent, gaining city status on 2 December 2022.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-63828321 | title=Bangor receives city status in Princess Anne visit | publisher=BBC News | date=2 December 2022 }}</ref>

==Toponymy==
County Down takes its name from ''dún'', the Irish word for [[dun (fortification)|dun]] or fort, which is a common root in Gaelic place names (such as [[Dundee]], [[Dunfermline]] and [[Dumbarton]] in Scotland and [[Donegal (town)|Donegal]] and [[Dundalk]] in the Republic of Ireland).<ref>{{cite book|last1=Long|first1=David|title=Lost Britain: An A-Z of Forgotten Landmarks and Lost Traditions|date=2015|publisher=Michael O'Mara Books|isbn=9781782434412|page=65 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5vK4CgAAQBAJ&pg=PT65|access-date=6 April 2018|archive-date=5 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605171208/https://books.google.com/books?id=5vK4CgAAQBAJ&pg=PT65|url-status=live}}</ref> The fort in question was in the historic town of [[Downpatrick]], originally known as ''Dún Lethglaise'' ("fort of the green side" or "fort of the two broken fetters").<ref>{{cite book|last1=Praeger |first1=Robert Lloyd|title=Official Guide to County Down and the Mourne Mountains|date=1900|publisher=M'Caw, Stevenson & Orr|page=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.501714/page/n149 123] |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.501714|quote=Dún county down.|access-date=6 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|editor=Chisholm, Hugh|title=Encyclopedia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature and General Information|date=1922|publisher=University Press|page=460 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bCJKAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA460|access-date=6 April 2018}}</ref> Another word for the county is "Downshire".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-06-26 |title=County Down |url=https://abcounties.com/counties/county-profiles/county_down/ |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=Association of British Counties}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Picturesque Ireland - a literary and artistic delineation of the natural scenery, remarkable places, historical antiquities, public buildings, ancient abbeys, towers, castles, and other romantic and (14780216352).jpg|thumb|1885 map, with the county divided into [[Baronies of Ireland|baronies]]]]
During the 2nd century the region was home to the Voluntii tribe, according to [[Ptolemy]]. From the 400s–1177 County Down formed a central part of the kingdom of [[Ulaid]]. Ulaid was a frequent target of Viking raids in the eighth and ninth centuries, however fierce local resistance prevented the Norse from setting up permanent settlements in the region. In 1001 a fleet led by [[Sigtrygg Silkbeard]] raided much of the region in retribution for the Ulaiden's refusal to offer him sanctuary from [[Brian Boru]] the previous year.

The region was [[Norman invasion of Ireland|invaded]] by the [[Normans]] in 1177. From the 1180s–1600s the region saw waves of English and Scottish immigration. In 1569 the Irish Parliament passed "An Act for turning of Countries that be not yet Shire Grounds into Shire Grounds".<ref>[https://opac.oireachtas.ie/Data/Library7/Library1/DC900041.pdf 11 Elizabeth I, Session 3, Chapter 9 (1569)]</ref> In 1570 a commission was issued in pursuance of that statute "to survey and make enquiry in the countries and territories ... that are not shire ground, or are doubtful to what shire they belong; to limit and nominate them a shire or county; to divide them into countries, baronies or hundreds, or to join them to any existing shire or barony" "for the countries or territories of Arde,{{efn|[[Ards (territory)]]}} as well this side Blackstafe{{efn|[[Blackstaff River]]}} as the other side, Copelande islands,{{efn|Copeland Islands}} the Dufferin,{{efn|Dufferin (barony)}} Clandeboy,{{efn|[[Clandeboye]]}} Kilultoghe, the Glynes{{efn|[[Glens of Antrim]]}} with the Raughlines,{{efn|[[Rathlin Island]]}} Momerie and Carie,{{efn|[[Cary (barony)]]}} the Rowte M'William ([[McQuillan]]){{efn|[[Route, County Antrim]]}} and all lands between lough Coine{{efn|[[Strangford Lough]]}} and lough Eaghe,{{efn|[[Lough Neagh]]}} and the water of Strangforde and the Banne.{{efn|[[River Bann]]}} To certify their proceedings before the 1st August."<ref>[https://archive.org/details/reportofdeputyke1113irel/page/n237/mode/2up?view=theater Fiat 1530, 4 May 1570]</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/details/reportofdeputyke1113irel/page/n229/mode/2up?view=theater Similar to Fiat 1486, 4 February 1570]</ref> The county was privately planted during the [[Plantations of Ireland|Plantation period]] (16th–17th centuries). During the [[Williamite War in Ireland]] (1689–1691) the county was a centre of Protestant rebellion against the rule of the Catholic [[James II of Ireland|James II]]. After forming a scratch force the Protestants were defeated by the [[Irish Army (Kingdom of Ireland)|Irish Army]] at the [[Break of Dromore]] and forced to retreat, leading to the whole of Down falling under [[Jacobitism|Jacobite]] control. Later the same year [[Marshal Schomberg]]'s large [[Williamite]] expedition arrived in Belfast Lough and captured Bangor. After laying [[Siege of Carrickfergus (1689)|siege to Carrickfergus]], Schomberg marched south to [[Dundalk Camp]], clearing County Down and much of the rest of East Ulster of Jacobite troops.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

==Geography==
[[File:Mournes wiki.jpg|thumb|left|Mourne Mountains]]
Down contains two significant [[peninsula]]s: [[Ards Peninsula]] and [[Lecale peninsula]].

The county has a coastline along [[Belfast Lough]] to the north and [[Carlingford Lough]] to the south (both of which have access to the sea). [[Strangford Lough]] lies between the Ards Peninsula and the mainland. Down also contains part of the shore of [[Lough Neagh]]. Smaller loughs include [[Lough Island Reavy]] and Castlewellan Lake near Castlewellan, Clea Lough near Killyleagh, Lough Money and Loughinisland near Downpatrick and, within the [[Mourne Mountains]], [[Silent Valley Reservoir|Silent Valley]] Reservoir, Ben Crom Reservoir, Spelga Dam and Lough Shannagh.

The [[River Lagan]] forms most of the border with County Antrim. The [[River Bann]] also flows through the southwestern areas of the county. Other rivers include the [[Newry River|Clanrye]] and [[River Quoile|Quoile]].

There are several islands off the Down coast: Mew Island, Light House Island and the [[Copeland Islands]], all of which lie to the north of the Ards Peninsula. Gunn Island lies off the Lecale coast. In addition, there are at least seventy islands (several inhabited) along with many islets – or pladdies – in Strangford Lough,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Strangford Lough Area |url=https://sites.google.com/a/belfastguzzi.com/www/Home/moto-guzzi-ulster-rally-09/strangford-lough-area-information |website=Belfast Guzzi |access-date=18 February 2023 |archive-date=18 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218151234/https://sites.google.com/a/belfastguzzi.com/www/Home/moto-guzzi-ulster-rally-09/strangford-lough-area-information |url-status=dead }}</ref> although folk tradition says there are 365 islands in Strangford Lough, one for every day of the year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hands On Nature – Strangford |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/handsonnature/waterways/strangford_loch.shtml |website=BBC}}</ref>

County Down is where, in the words of the song by [[Percy French]], "[[Mourne Mountains|The mountains of Mourne]] sweep down to the sea", and the area around the [[granite]] Mourne Mountains continues to be known for its scenery. [[Slieve Donard]], at {{convert|849|m|0|abbr=on}}, is the highest peak in the Mournes, in Northern Ireland and in the province of Ulster. Another important peak is [[Slieve Croob]], at {{convert|534|m|0|abbr=on}}, the source of the River Lagan.

===Places of interest===
[[File:King John's Castle Carlingford - geograph.org.uk - 985692.jpg|thumbnail|King John's Castle on [[Carlingford Lough]].]]
* [[Saint Patrick]] is reputed to be buried at [[Down Cathedral]] in [[Downpatrick]], reputedly alongside St. Brigid and St. Columcille.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kearcsadmin|title=St. Brigid's Day|url=http://www.kildarearchsoc.ie/st-brigids-day/|website=County Kildare Archaeological Society|access-date=6 July 2017|archive-date=28 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171128030249/http://www.kildarearchsoc.ie/st-brigids-day/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Saul, County Down]] (from the Irish: Sabhall meaning "Barn") – where Saint Patrick said his first eucharist in Ireland
* The city of [[Newry]] in the south of the county contains St Patrick's ([[Church of Ireland]], 1578), overlooking the city centre from Church street, on the east side of the city, which is considered to be Ireland's first ever [[Protestant]] church.<ref>{{cite web|title=Saint Patrick's Church|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Saint-Patricks-Church-Newry-Northern-Ireland|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|access-date=6 July 2017|archive-date=12 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912023135/https://www.britannica.com/place/Saint-Patricks-Church-Newry-Northern-Ireland|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Newry Canal]] is also the first summit-level canal ever to be built in the [[British Isles]].
* [[Castlewellan Forest Park]].
* [[Cloughmore]] (The Big Stone), a 30-ton Granite boulder lies on the Slieve Martin Mountain Ridge approximately 1000&nbsp;ft. above [[Rostrevor]] village in [[Kilbroney Park]].
* [[Royal County Down Golf Club]] is located in [[Newcastle, County Down|Newcastle]], [[Newry, Mourne and Down]]. Golf Digest ranked it Number 1 on its 2024 World's 100 Greatest Courses list.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/worlds-100-greatest-golf-courses-2024-2025|title=World's 100 Greatest Golf Courses 2024 |date=2024-08-07|language=en-US|access-date=2024-08-07}}</ref>
* [[Ballynoe stone circle]] is an ancient site dating back approximately 5000 years to the late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age.
* Down is also home to [[Exploris]], the Northern Ireland Aquarium, located in [[Portaferry]], on the shores of Strangford Lough, on the Ards Peninsula.
* The Old Inn in [[Crawfordsburn]] is one of Ireland's oldest hostelries, with records dating back to 1614. It is predated however by Donaghadee's Grace Neill's which was opened in 1611. The Old inn claims that people who have stayed there include [[Jonathan Swift]], [[Dick Turpin]], [[Peter I of Russia|Peter the Great]], [[Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron Tennyson|Lord Tennyson]], [[Charles Dickens]], [[Anthony Trollope]], former US president [[George H. W. Bush]], and [[C. S. Lewis]], who honeymooned there.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.theoldinn.com/ |title=Crawfordsburn Old Inn website |access-date=1 July 2006 |archive-date=5 July 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060705234111/http://www.theoldinn.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Tollymore Forest Park]] between [[Castlewellan]] and [[Newcastle, County Down|Newcastle]].
* [[Scrabo Tower]], in [[Newtownards]], was built as a memorial to [[Charles Stewart, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry]].
* An area of County Down is known as the Brontë Homeland (situated between [[Rathfriland]] and [[Banbridge]], where [[Patrick Brontë]] had his church.) Patrick Brontë (originally Brunty), father of [[Anne Brontë|Anne]], [[Charlotte Brontë|Charlotte]], [[Emily Brontë|Emily]] and [[Branwell Brontë|Branwell]], was born in this region.

===Subdivisions===
'''Baronies'''
{{Main|Barony (Ireland)}}
* Ards Lower (from the {{langx|ga|Aird}})
* Ards Upper
* Castlereagh Lower
* Castlereagh Upper
* Dufferin (from the {{langx|ga|Duifrian}})
* Iveagh Lower, Lower Half (from the {{langx|ga|Uíbh Eachach}})
* Iveagh Lower, Upper Half
* Iveagh Upper, Lower Half
* Iveagh Upper, Upper Half
* Kinelarty (from the {{langx|ga|Cineál Fhártaigh}})
* Lecale Lower (from the {{langx|ga|Leath Cathail}})
* Lecale Upper
* [[Lordship of Newry]]
* Mourne (from the {{langx|ga|Múrna}})

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

'''Townlands'''
{{Main|List of townlands in County Down}}

===Settlements===
{{Historical populations
|1653|13207
|1659|15183
|1821|325410
|1831|352012
|1841|361446
|1851|320817
|1861|299302
|1871|277294
|1881|248190
|1891|224008
|1901|205889
|1911|204303
|1926|209228
|1937|210687
|1951|241181
|1961|266939
|1966|286631
|1971|311876
|1981|417978
|1991|454411
|2001|489004
|2011|531665
|2021|553261
||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>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cso.ie/census |title=Census for post 1821 figures. |access-date=3 September 2009 |archive-date=9 March 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050309005718/http://www.cso.ie/census/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[http://www.histpop.org Histpop.org] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507023856/http://www.histpop.org/ |date=7 May 2016 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.nisranew.nisra.gov.uk/census NISRA.gov.uk] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217095720/http://www.nisranew.nisra.gov.uk/census |date=17 February 2012 }}</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>
}}

====Cities====
(population of 75,000 or more 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>
* [[Belfast]] – the eastern suburbs of the city lie partly in County Down but mainly in [[County Antrim]]

====Large towns====
(population of 18,000 or more and under 75,000 at 2001 Census)<ref name="NI"/>
* [[Bangor, County Down|Bangor]] (officially a city)
* [[Dundonald, County Down|Dundonald]]
* [[Lisburn]] – the eastern suburbs of the city lie partly in County Down but mainly in County Antrim (officially a city)
* [[Newry]] – in counties Armagh and Down, divided by the [[Newry River|Clanrye River]] (officially a city)
* [[Newtownards]]

====Medium towns====
(Population of 10,000 or more and under 18,000 at 2001 Census)<ref name="NI"/>
{{flatlist|
* [[Banbridge]]
* [[Downpatrick]]
* [[Holywood, County Down|Holywood]]
* [[Carryduff]]
}}

====Small towns====
(Population of 4,500 or more and under 10,000 at 2001 Census)<ref name="NI"/>
{{flatlist|* [[Ballynahinch, County Down|Ballynahinch]]
* [[Comber]]
* [[Donaghadee]]
* [[Dromore, County Down|Dromore]]
* [[Kilkeel]]
* [[Newcastle, County Down|Newcastle]]
* [[Saintfield]]
* [[Warrenpoint]]}}

====Intermediate settlements====
(Population of 2,250 or more and under 4,500 at 2001 Census)<ref name="NI"/>
{{flatlist|
* [[Ballygowan]]
* [[Castlewellan]]
* [[Hillsborough, County Down|Hillsborough]]
* [[Killyleagh]]
* [[Moira, County Down|Moira]]
* [[Portaferry]]
* [[Rostrevor]]
* [[Saintfield]]
* [[Waringstown]]
}}

====Villages====
(Population of 1,000 or more and under 2,250 at 2001 Census)<ref name="NI"/>
{{flatlist|* [[Annahilt]]
* [[Annalong]]
* [[Ardglass]]
* [[Ballywalter]]
* [[Crossgar]]
* [[Drumaness]]
* [[Drumbeg, County Down|Drumbeg]]
* [[Dundrum, County Down|Dundrum]]
* [[Gilford, County Down|Gilford]]
* [[Greyabbey]]
* [[Helen's Bay]]
* [[Kilcoo]]
* [[Kircubbin, County Down|Kircubbin]]
* [[Magheralin]]
* [[Millisle]]
* [[Moneyreagh]]
* [[Portavogie]]
* [[Rathfriland]]}}

====Small villages or hamlets====
(Population of less than 1,000 at 2001 Census)<ref name="NI"/>
{{flatlist|
* [[Atticall]]
* [[Annsborough]]
* [[Ballela]]
* [[Ballyhalbert]]
* [[Ballyhornan]]
* [[Ballykinler]]
* [[Ballynoe, County Down|Ballynoe]]
* [[Bryansford]]
* [[Burren, County Down|Burren]]
* [[Cabra, County Down|Cabra]]
* [[Carrowdore]]
* [[Clough]]
* [[Cloghy]]
* [[Crawfordsburn]]
* [[Donaghcloney]]
* [[Dromara]]
* [[Gilnahirk]]
* [[Groomsport]]
* [[Hilltown, County Down|Hilltown]]
* [[Killinchy]]
* [[Killough]]
* [[Lawrencetown, County Down|Lawrencetown]]
* [[Leitrim, County Down|Leitrim]]
* [[Listooder]]
* [[Loughbrickland]]
* [[Loughinisland]]
* [[Mayobridge]]
* [[Saul, County Down|Saul]]
* [[Scarva]]
* [[Seaforde]]
* [[Sheeptown]]
* [[Strangford]]
}}

==Demography==
{{bar box
|title = Religious Background in Down (2021)
|titlebar=#ddd |left1=Religion |right1=Per cent |float=right
|bars =
{{bar percent|[[Protestant]] and Other Christian|Blue|53.5}}
{{bar percent|[[Catholic]]|DarkOrchid|32.3}}
{{bar percent|None|grey|12.7}}
{{bar percent|Other faiths|grey|1.5}}
}}
As of the [[2021 United Kingdom census|2021 census]], County Down had a population of 552,261, making it the second most populous county in Northern Ireland.<ref name="2021 pop"/>

=== Community background and religion ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Religion or religion brought up in (2021 Census)<ref>{{cite web |title=Religion or religion brought up in |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=COUNTY_NI&v=RELIGION_BELONG_TO_OR_BROUGHT_UP_IN_DVO&%7ECOUNTY_NI=4 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref>
!Religion or religion brought up in
!Number
!%
|-
|Protestant and Other Christian
|296,228
|53.54%
|-
|Catholic
|178,523
|32.27%
|-
|None (no religion)
|70,046
|12.66%
|-
|Other religion
|8,464
|1.53%
|-
!Total
!553,261
!100.00%
|}

=== National identity ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+National identity (2021 Census)<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=4 |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=4 |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=4 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref><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=4 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref>
!National identity
!Number
!%
|-
|British only
|208,523
|37.69%
|-
|Irish only
|102,174
|18.47%
|-
|Northern Irish only
|120,003
|21.69%
|-
|British and Northern Irish only
|58,256
|10.53%
|-
|Irish and Northern Irish only
|9,820
|1.78%
|-
|British, Irish and Northern Irish only
|12,605
|2.28%
|-
|British and Irish only
|4,421
|0.80%
|-
|Other identity
|37,459
|6.77%
|-
!Total
!553,261
!100.00%
|-
!All Irish identities
!131,143
!23.70%
|-
!All British identities
!290,524
!52.51%
|-
!All Northern Irish identities
!204,276
!36.92%
|}

===Irish language and Ulster Scots===
According to the 2021 UK census in County Down:
* 8.04% claim to have some knowledge of the Irish language, whilst 2.35% claim to be able to speak, read, write and understand spoken Irish. 1.15% claim to use Irish daily. 0.13% claim that Irish is their main language.
* 9.85% claim to have some knowledge of Ulster Scots, whilst 1.01% claim to be able to speak, read, write and understand spoken Ulster Scots. 1.34% claim to use Ulster Scots daily.

==Administration==
The county was administered by [[Down 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 Down is now served by the following [[Local government in Northern Ireland|local government districts]]:
* [[Ards and North Down Borough Council|Ards and North Down]]
* [[Newry, Mourne and Down District Council|Newry, Mourne and Down]] ''(also serves part of [[County Armagh]])''
* [[Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council|Lisburn and Castlereagh]] ''(also serves part of [[County Antrim]])''
* [[Belfast City Council|Belfast]] ''(also serves part of County Antrim)''
* [[Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council|Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon]] ''(also serves parts of County Armagh and County Antrim)''

==Transportation==

===Railways===
[[File:A Passing Steam train - geograph.org.uk - 350110.jpg|thumb|A steam train on the [[Downpatrick and County Down Railway]] travelling through the [[Ulster]] [[drumlin]] belt near [[Downpatrick]].]]

Former railways within the county include the [[Great Northern Railway of Ireland]] and [[Belfast and County Down Railway]] both of which were formed in the 19th century and were closed (or amalgamated) in the 1950s. The [[Downpatrick and County Down Railway]] operates a short section of the former Belfast and County Down line as a [[heritage railway]] between Downpatrick and [[Inch Abbey railway station|Inch Abbey]]. The disused [[Ballynoe railway station|railway station at Ballynoe]] was part of the Belfast and County Down Railway, which connected Downpatrick to Ardglass in Northern Ireland.

[[Northern Ireland Railways]] operates the area's modern rail network.

==Sport==

===Association football===
In association football, the [[NIFL Premiership]], which operates as the top division, has three teams in the county: [[Newry City F.C.]], [[Ards F.C.]] and [[Warrenpoint Town F.C.]], with [[Banbridge Town F.C.]], [[Bangor F.C.]] and [[Lisburn Distillery F.C.]] competing in the [[NIFL Championship]], which operates as levels two and three.

===Gaelic games===
The [[Down GAA|Down County Board]] administers [[Gaelic games]] in the county. Down is the most successful team north of the border in terms of [[All-Ireland Senior Football Championship]]s won with five (1960, 1961, 1968, 1991 and 1994) in total. In terms of Ulster, they share that accolade with Cavan who also have 5 titles. They currently have four minor All-Ireland titles, twelve Ulster titles and one under 21 all Ireland title (1979). The Ards peninsula is a hurling stronghold.

===Golf===
County Down is also home to the No.1-ranked golf course, [[Royal County Down Golf Club]], in not just Ireland, but the entire [[Great Britain]], according to ''[[Today's Golfer]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Golf World Top 100: Best Links Golf Courses in Great Britain and Ireland|url=https://www.todaysgolfer.co.uk/courses/best/links-golf-courses-in-great-britain-and-ireland/|access-date=2021-12-26|website=Today's Golfer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Golf World Top 100: Best Golf Courses in Ireland|url=https://www.todaysgolfer.co.uk/courses/best/golf-courses-in-ireland/|access-date=2021-12-26|website=Today's Golfer}}</ref>

Former No.1 golfer in the world, [[Rory McIlroy]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-01|title=Golf Ranking – Number 1 – History since inception|url=https://golftoday.co.uk/official-world-golf-ranking-number-1/|access-date=2021-12-26 |website=Golf Today}}</ref> originates from [[Holywood, County Down|Holywood]], which is situated in the north of the county.

==In popular culture==
"[[Star of the County Down]]" is a popular Irish ballad.

The county is named in the lyrics of the song "[[Around the World (1956 song)|Around the World]]", from the film ''[[Around the World in 80 Days (1956 film)|Around the World in 80 Days]]'', which was an American top ten hit for [[Bing Crosby]] and UK top ten hit for [[Ronnie Hilton]], both in 1957, although it was [[Mantovani]]'s instrumental version which was actually used in the film. [[Rihanna]]'s video "[[We Found Love]]" was filmed there in 2011, causing complaints when the singer removed her clothes to reveal a bikini.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rihanna video: Wildflowers to be planted in north Belfast 'hopeless place'|work=BBC News |date=30 April 2015 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-32533188|access-date=6 July 2017|archive-date=16 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161216111320/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-32533188|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Ulster]] singer [[Van Morrison]] has made reference to the County Down in the lyrics to several songs including "Northern Muse (Solid Ground)", "Mystic of the East" and the nostalgic "[[Coney Island (Van Morrison song)|Coney Island]]", which names several places and landmarks in the county.  Van Morrison also covered "Star of the County Down" with [[The Chieftains]] as a part of their collaboration album ''[[Irish Heartbeat]]''.

[[C. S. Lewis]], author of ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia]]'', was inspired by the [[Mourne Mountains]]. There is a Narnia trail in Kilbroney Park, in [[Rostrevor]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Mourne Mountains and Ring of Gullion|url=https://www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/ChroniclesofNarnia|website=visitmournemountains.co.uk|access-date=26 March 2020|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109031213/http://www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/ChroniclesofNarnia|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Sam Hanna Bell]] based his novel of Ulster rural life, ''December Bride'' (1951) in the Ards peninsula. A film version of the novel, also called ''[[December Bride (film)|December Bride]]'', was produced in 1990 and released in November 1991.

Several areas of County Down served as filming locations for the [[HBO]] series ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' including [[Castle Ward]] ([[Winterfell]]),<ref>{{Cite web|title=HBO's Game of Thrones at Castle Ward |url=https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/castle-ward/features/game-of-thrones-at-castle-ward|access-date=2021-03-21|website=National Trust|archive-date=17 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117133113/https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/castle-ward/features/game-of-thrones-at-castle-ward|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Inch Abbey|Inch Abby]] ([[Riverlands (A Song of Ice and Fire)|Riverlands]]), and [[Tollymore Forest Park]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Game of Thrones Film Locations {{!}} Game of Thrones, Things To Do, Tours And Trails {{!}} A blog full of ideas and inspiration |url=https://visitbelfast.com/article/game-of-thrones-filming-locations-belfast-northern-ireland/|access-date=2021-03-21|website=Visit Belfast|archive-date=21 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121084151/https://visitbelfast.com/article/game-of-thrones-filming-locations-belfast-northern-ireland|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Academy Award-winning short film ''[[The Shore (2011 film)|The Shore]]'' (2011) was filmed in and around Killough bay by director/writer Terry George and his daughter Oorlagh. The film starred Ciaran Hynds, Kerry Condon and Connleth Hill.<ref>Oscars.org {{full citation needed|date=August 2022}}</ref>

==Notable people==
{{unreferenced section|date=July 2021}}
{{See also|Category:People from County Down}}
* [[Ash (band)|Ash]], rock band, from [[Downpatrick]]<ref>{{cite news |first=Cormac |last=Campbell |title=Ash at 30: The Downpatrick rock band still shining |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-62460128 |work=BBC |date=2022-08-08}}</ref>
* [[Paddy Ashdown]], former [[Liberal Democrats (UK)]] leader, brought up near [[Comber]]
* [[Joseph Barcroft]], scientist, [[Newry]]<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Dunn|first=Peter M.|date=2000-01-01 |title=Sir Joseph Barcroft of Cambridge (1872–1947) and prenatal research |journal=Archives of Disease in Childhood: Fetal and Neonatal Edition|volume=82|issue=1|pages=F75–F76|doi=10.1136/fn.82.1.F75|issn=1359-2998|pmid=10634847|pmc=1721043 |url=https://fn.bmj.com/content/82/1/F75}}</ref>
* [[George Best]], Northern Ireland footballer
* [[Colin Blakely]], actor, [[Bangor, County Down|Bangor]]<ref>{{Cite news|date=8 May 1987|title=Actor Colin Blakely is Dead at 56|work=AP News|url=https://apnews.com/article/d6fa12533c7a7478dd0ea6a5b65107ce|access-date=26 December 2021}}</ref>
* [[Patrick Brontë]], father of the authors [[Charlotte Brontë|Charlotte]], [[Emily Brontë|Emily]], and [[Anne Brontë]], [[Rathfriland]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Reverend Patrick Brontë|url=https://www.bronte.org.uk//the-brontes-and-haworth/family-and-friends/rev-bronte|access-date=2021-12-26|website=www.bronte.org.uk}}</ref>
* [[James Dawson Burn]], author and activist<ref>{{Citation |last=Lunney |first=Linde |title=Burn, James Dawson |date=2009-10-01 |work=[[Dictionary of Irish Biography]] |editor-last=Quinn |editor-first=James |url=https://www.dib.ie/biography/burn-james-dawson-a1202 |access-date=2025-04-02 |publisher=[[Royal Irish Academy]] |doi=10.3318/dib.001202.v3}}</ref>
* [[Thomas Campbell (minister)|Thomas Campbell]], co-founder of the Christian religious movement that led to a Protestant church in the United States, the [[Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)]]
* [[Comgall]], saint and founder of the great monastery at [[Bangor, County Down|Bangor]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Online|first=Catholic|title=St. Comgall – Saints & Angels|website=Catholic Online |url=https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=2710 |access-date=2021-12-26}}</ref>
* [[Stephen Craigan]], Motherwell and Northern Ireland defender, from [[Newtownards]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Club|first=Motherwell Football|date=2021-10-29|title=Stephen Craigan to join Hall of Fame |url=https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2021/10/29/stephen-craigan-to-join-hall-of-fame/|access-date=2021-12-26|website=Motherwell Football Club}}</ref>
* [[Jamie Dornan]], actor in [[50 Shades of Grey (film)|50 Shades of Grey]] is from [[Holywood, County Down|Holywood]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rotten Tomatoes: Movies {{!}} TV Shows {{!}}|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/jamie_dornan|access-date=2021-12-26|website=www.rottentomatoes.com}}</ref>
* [[Garth Ennis]], comic books author of [[Preacher]] and [[The Boys (comics)|The Boys]], brought up in [[Holywood, County Down|Holywood]]{{citation needed|date=May 2022|reason=reference needed for his Holywood connection}}
* [[Harry Ferguson]], inventor of modern tractor, [[Dromore, County Down|Dromore]]<ref>{{Cite news|last=Traynor|first=Jessica|title=Harry Ferguson, the 'Mad Mechanic' who invented the modern tractor |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/abroad/harry-ferguson-the-mad-mechanic-who-invented-the-modern-tractor-1.3804555|access-date=2021-12-26|newspaper=The Irish Times}}</ref>
* [[Brian Faulkner]], Baron Faulkner of Downpatrick, last Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, [[Helen's Bay]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Faulkner, (Arthur) Brian Deane {{!}} Dictionary of Irish Biography |url=https://www.dib.ie/biography/faulkner-arthur-brian-deane-a3021|access-date=2021-12-26|website=www.dib.ie}}</ref>
* [[Patricia Ford (politician)|Patricia Ford]], first female MP from Northern Ireland, [[Donaghadee]]
* [[Charlie Gallogly]], Irish professional footballer for Huddersfield Town, Watford and Bournemouth.
* [[Keith Gillespie]], former Manchester United & Newcastle professional footballer grew up in [[Bangor, County Down|Bangor]]
* [[Craig Gilroy]], [[Ulster Rugby]] winger, raised in [[Bangor, County Down|Bangor]]
* [[Betsy Gray]], heroine of the 1798 rebellion, Gransha, [[Bangor, County Down|Bangor]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Betsy Gray Cafe|url=https://www.bangorhistoricalsocietyni.org/DATABASE/ARTICLES/articles/000027/002799.shtml|access-date=2021-12-26|website=www.bangorhistoricalsocietyni.org}}</ref>
* [[Bear Grylls]], Chief Scout and TV personality, was raised in [[Donaghadee]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bear Grylls Biography – Everything You Need To Know|url=https://mpora.com/camping/bear-grylls-biography-everything-need-know/ |access-date=2021-12-26|website=Mpora}}</ref>
* [[Frederick Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood, 1st Marquess of Dufferin and Ava]], Governor-General of Canada, Viceroy of India, [[Clandeboye Estate]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Frederick Temple Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood, 1st marquess of Dufferin and Ava {{!}} British diplomat |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Frederick-Temple-Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood-1st-Marquess-of-Dufferin-and-Ava|access-date=2021-12-26|website=www.britannica.com}}</ref>
* [[Henry Harrison (Irish politician)|Henry Harrison]], Parnellite Member of Parliament, [[Holywood, County Down|Holywood]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Celebrating the life of 'Home Rule Harrison', a forgotten British war hero and Parnell lieutenant|url=https://belfastmedia.com/celebrating-the-life-of-home-rule-harrison-a-forgotten-british-war-hero-and-parnell-lieutenant|access-date=2021-12-28|website=Belfast Media Group}}</ref>
* [[Sarah Cecilia Harrison]], artist and first woman councillor to serve on Dublin Corporation, [[Holywood, County Down|Holywood]]<ref>{{Cite journal|last=O'Neill|first=Marie|date=1989|title=Sarah Cecilia Harrison: Artist and City Councillor|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/30087190|journal=[[Dublin Historical Record]]|publisher=[[Old Dublin Society]]|volume=42| issue = 2|pages=66–81|jstor=30087190 }}</ref>
* [[David Healy (footballer)|David Healy]], Northern Ireland record goalscorer from [[Killyleagh]]<ref>{{cite news|title=David Healy will target Northern Ireland manager's job, believes Linfield legend Peter Thompson |last=Luney|first=Graham|date=8 November 2021|work=Belfast Telegraph|issn=0307-1235 |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/david-healy-will-target-northern-ireland-managers-job-believes-linfield-legend-peter-thompson-41028986.html|access-date=28 December 2021}}</ref>
* [[Eddie Irvine]], racing driver, [[Newtownards]]
* [[E. Neville Isdell]], former chair and CEO of [[The Coca-Cola Company]], [[Downpatrick]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Businessman Neville Isdell: Money is not a motivator, but it is how you keep score in life |url=https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/businessman-neville-isdell-money-is-not-a-motivator-but-it-is-how-you-keep-score-in-life-34680622.html|access-date=2021-12-28|website=independent}}</ref>
* [[Pat Jennings]], former NI goalkeeper, is from [[Newry]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=NI Hall of Fame: Pat Jennings|url=http://www.irishfa.com/news/2020/june/ni-hall-of-fame-pat-jennings|access-date=2021-12-28|website=IFA}}</ref>
* [[Patrick Kielty]], comedian and television presenter, [[Dundrum, County Down|Dundrum]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Patrick Kielty – Popular Northern Irish cutting edge comedian and presenter |url=https://www.performingartistes.co.uk/artistes/patrick-kielty|access-date=2021-12-28|website=www.performingartistes.co.uk}}</ref>
* [[Christine Lampard]] née Bleakley, TV Presenter was born in [[Newry]] and lived in [[Newtownards]]
* [[Gary Lightbody]], lead singer of [[Snow Patrol]], [[Bangor, County Down|Bangor]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gary Lightbody, Snow Patrol: Intimate Podcast Interview|website=Best Of Belfast |url=https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/gary-lightbody-snow-patrol |access-date=2021-12-28}}</ref>
* [[Kathleen Isabella Mackie]] (1899– 1996) painter and glider pilot
* [[Elizabeth McLaughlin (sculptor)|Elizabeth McLaughlin]], sculptor
* [[Josh Magennis]], Professional footballer currently for [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.]] from [[Bangor, County Down|Bangor]]
* [[James Martin (engineer)|James Martin]], inventor of the ejector seat, from [[Crossgar]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=James Martin|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zfkcscw/articles/z4cbhbk|access-date=2021-12-28|website=BBC Bitesize}}</ref>
* [[Robert Blair Mayne]], [[lieutenant colonel]] and [[commanding officer]] of the 1st [[Special Air Service|SAS]] Regiment, [[Newtownards]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=September 2021|first=Zita Ballinger Fletcher|date=2021-08-17 |title=Irish SAS Hero: Robert Blair 'Paddy' Mayne|website=HistoryNet |url=https://www.historynet.com/robert-blair-paddy-mayne.htm|access-date=2021-12-28}}</ref>
* [[Aodh Mac Cathmhaoil]], Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of all Ireland, [[Saul, County Down]]
* [[Rhys McClenaghan]] – International gymnast from [[Newtownards]]
* [[Edward McGarry (Wisconsin politician)|Edward McGarry]], [[Wisconsin]] politician
* [[Rory McIlroy]], major champion golfer, from [[Holywood, County Down|Holywood]]
* [[Deirdre McKay]], composer
* [[F. E. McWilliam]], sculptor, [[Banbridge]]
* [[Colin Middleton]], Irish artist and surrealist, lived in [[Bangor, County Down|Bangor]]
* [[John Mitchel]], Irish nationalist, Young Ireland movement, [[Newry]]
* [[Colin Murray]], sports TV Presenter, is from [[Dundonald, County Down|Dundonald]]
* [[Richard Murray (mathematician)|Richard Murray]], Provost of Trinity College Dublin 1795–1799, born in County Down
* [[Kristian Nairn]], portrayed [[Hodor (character)|Hodor]] in ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' is from [[Lisburn]]
* [[Lembit Öpik]], former Liberal Democrat MP and Shadow Welsh and Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary, [[Bangor, County Down|Bangor]]
* [[Paul Rankin]], TV chef, grew up in [[Ballywalter]], Ards Peninsula
* [[Francis Rawdon-Hastings, 1st Marquess of Hastings]], Governor-General of India, 1813–1823, [[Moira, County Down|Moira]]
* [[Margaret Ritchie, Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick]], former leader of [[Social Democratic and Labour Party]] and MP, [[Downpatrick]]
* [[Charles Russell, Baron Russell of Killowen]], first Roman Catholic Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, [[Newry]]
* [[Zoe Salmon]], TV presenter and Miss UK contestant is from [[Bangor, County Down|Bangor]]
* [[Neil Shawcross]], artist, lives in [[Hillsborough, County Down|Hillsborough]]
* [[Hans Sloane]], founder of the British Museum, [[Killyleagh]]
* [[Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh]], British Foreign Secretary and diplomat at [[Congress of Vienna]], brought up in family seat [[Mount Stewart]]
* [[David Trimble]], former First Minister of Northern Ireland, former [[Ulster Unionist Party]] leader, [[Bangor, County Down|Bangor]]
* [[Foy Vance]], singer-songwriter, [[Bangor, County Down|Bangor]]
* [[Charles Vane-Tempest-Stewart, 7th Marquess of Londonderry]], Secretary of State for Air, Leader of the House of Lords, [[Mount Stewart]]
* [[Martin Waddell]], author of children's books, lives in [[Newcastle, County Down]]
* [[Paddy Wallace]], rugby union footballer for Ulster and Ireland, [[Dundonald, County Down|Dundonald]]
* [[Daniel Wiffen]], swimmer, Olympic Gold Medalist for Ireland, [[Magheralin]]
* [[Thomas L. Young]], U.S. politician, 33rd Governor of the State of Ohio, [[Killyleagh]]

==See also==
* [[List of monastic houses in Ireland#County Down|Abbeys and priories in Northern Ireland (County Down)]]
* [[List of archaeological sites in County Down]]
* [[List of places in County Down]]
* [[Lord Lieutenant of Down]]
* [[High Sheriff of Down]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Harris, Walter (attributed). 1744. ''The Antient and Present State of the County of Down...'''Dublin.
* ''The Memoirs of John M. Regan, a Catholic Officer in the RIC and RUC, 1909–48'', Joost Augusteijn, editor, District Inspector, Co. Down 1930s, 1919, {{ISBN|978-1-84682-069-4}}.

==External links==
{{Commons category|County Down}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
* [https://wikishire.co.uk/map/#County_Down County Down on the interactive map of the counties of Great Britain and Ireland] – Wikishire
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070310195041/http://www.culturenorthernireland.org/article.aspx?co=7&ca=25&to=&sca=&articleID=765 Culture Northern Ireland – Industrial Heritage of County Down]
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Down (county)|display=Down, a maritime county of Ireland|short=x}}

{{Geographic Location
|North = [[County Antrim]] [[File:Antrim arms.svg|28px]]
|South = [[Irish Sea]]
|East = [[Irish Sea]]
|West = [[County Armagh]] [[File:Armagh arms.svg|30px]]
|Southwest = [[County Louth]]<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Louth Co Co.png|32px]] -->
|Centre = County Down
}}
{{County Down}}
{{Counties and cities of Northern Ireland}}
{{Ireland counties}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:County Down| ]]
[[Category:Counties of Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Ulster|Down]]