County Down

County Down (named after its county town, Downpatrick) is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the northeast of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the southeast shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,448 km² (945 sq mi) and has a population of about 531,665. It is also one of the thirty-two traditional counties of Ireland and is within the province of Ulster.

The county was archaically called Downshire. It borders County Antrim to the north, the Irish Sea to the east and south, 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 town is Bangor, 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).

Down (Parliament of Ireland constituency)

Coordinates: 54°33′25″N 6°18′40″W / 54.557°N 6.311°W / 54.557; -6.311

Down was a constituency represented in the Irish House of Commons until 1800.

History

In the Patriot Parliament of 1689 summoned by King James II, Down was represented with two members.

Members of Parliament

1585–1801

Notes

Elections

Elections in the 1790s

At the 1797 general election Francis Savage and Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh were elected unopposed.

At the by-election in 1793 following Hill's succession as second Marquess of Downshire, Francis Savage was returned unopposed.

Election in the 1780s

Elections in the 1770s

At the 1776 general election Arthur Hill, Viscount Kilwarlin and Robert Stewart were elected unopposed.

At the by-election in 1771 following Ward's creation as Baron Bangor

Elections in the 1760s

At the 1768 general election Roger Hall and Bernard Ward were elected unopposed.

Election in the 1610s

"In the co. of Down, May-day was the county court day for the election, which the sheriff held at Newry, at which day the sheriff proceeding to the election, moved the freeholders to choose Sir Richard Wingfield and Sir James Hamilton, being recommended to him by the Lord Deputy; but the natives named Sir Arthur Magenisse and Rowland Savage; whereupon all the British freeholders, being 131, cried “Hamilton and Montgomery”, omitting Wingfield; and the Irish, to the number of 101, cried “Magenisse and Savage”. Exception being presently taken to divers of the British for want of freehold, 14 were examined on oath by the sheriff and deposed they were freeholders, and thereupon the sheriff returned Hamilton and Montgomery; to which some of the Irish made objections, which were found partly untrue, and partly frivolous."

Down (UK Parliament constituency)

Down was a UK Parliament constituency in Ireland. It was a two-member constituency and existed in two periods, 1801-1885 and 1922-1950.

Boundaries

1801-1885: The whole of County Down, excluding the Boroughs of Downpatrick and Newry.

1922-1950: The Administrative county of Down, that is the whole of County Down excluding the part in the City of Belfast.

Members of Parliament

1801–1885

1922–1950

Elections

Elections in the 1940s

Elections in the 1930s

Elections in the 1920s

At the 1922 and 1923 general elections, David Reid and John Morrow Simms were elected unopposed.

Elections in the 1880s

Elections in the 1870s

Elections in the 1860s

At the 1865 and 1868 general elections, Lord Arthur Edwin Hill, later known as Lord Arthur Edwin Hill-Trevor, and William Brownlow Forde were returned unopposed.

Elections in the 1850s

At the 1859 general election, Lord Arthur Edwin Hill, later known as Lord Arthur Edwin Hill-Trevor, and William Brownlow Forde were returned unopposed.

The Poll Books for part of County Down, showing how each elector voted in the 1857 general election are available in the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland under reference D/671/O/2/7-8.