Above: View in Ulster

County Down lies east of Armagh , on the shores of the Irish Sea. The coast is deeply indented at Belfast Lough, Strangford Lough, and Carlingford Lough. Strangford Lough is almost enclosed by land.

The Mourne Mountains, which extend for about fifteen miles across the south-east of the county, rise direct from the sea-shore. The chief rivers are the Bann and the Lagan.

Downpatrick, the county town, on Strangford Lough, derives its name from St. Patrick, who was buried here in 493. He was a native of Britain, and one of the first Christian missionaries to Ireland .

Newry, on the river Newry, has a large export of provisions and cattle, to Liverpool and Glasgow. Donaghadce, sixteen miles east from Belfast, is the nearest port to Scotland, being only twenty one miles from Portpatrick in Wigtownshire. Newtonards, on Strangford Lough, is engaged in the weaving of muslins.

County Cavan, the most southerly county of Ulster, is of great length, stretching almost across Ireland from east to west. Some parts of the county are mountainous, rugged, bleak, and boggy. The Shannon rises in the north-west corner.

Chief Towns

Cavan , the county town, on the Erne, lies in a hollow overtopped by grassy hills. Belturbet, on the Erne, has a large distillery. By means of the Leister Canal, barges can pass here on their way from Lough Neagh to Lough Erne.