Castlereagh (County Down barony) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Castlereagh
An Caisleán Riabhach(Irish)
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Location of Castlereagh, County Down, in present-day Northern Ireland.
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| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| County | Down |
Castlereagh (which means 'the grey castle' in Irish) was the name of an old area in County Down, which is now part of Northern Ireland. Think of a barony like a historical district or a large piece of land. Castlereagh was located in the north-eastern part of County Down.
It shared its borders with other similar areas called baronies. These included Ards to the east and Belfast to the north. It also bordered Iveagh to the west and south, and Dufferin, Kinelarty, and Lecale to the south. By the year 1841, this large area was split into two smaller parts: Castlereagh Lower and Castlereagh Upper.
What is a Barony?
A barony was a type of land division used in Ireland for many centuries. These divisions were first set up a very long time ago. They helped to organize land and local government. Each barony was like a large district.
Baronies were important for things like collecting taxes and keeping records. They were also used to describe where people lived. Even though they are not used for government today, their names still appear on maps. They also help us understand the history of different places.
The History of Castlereagh
The name Castlereagh comes from the Irish words An Caisleán Riabhach. This means 'the grey castle'. This suggests there might have been an important castle in the area long ago. The barony of Castlereagh was a significant part of County Down. It covered a large area in the north-east of the county.
Over time, as populations grew and needs changed, larger areas were often divided. This happened to Castlereagh in 1841. It was split into two separate baronies: Castlereagh Lower and Castlereagh Upper. This division helped to manage the land and its people more effectively. Today, these names still remind us of the historical layout of the land in Northern Ireland.
