a county of Ireland, bounded by Louth on the south; Lough-Neagh, on the north; Tyrone and Monaghan, on the west; and Down, in part, on the east, from which it is separated by the Armagh river Newry. It is in length 32 miles, in breadth 17; and is divided into five baronies, containing about 170,620 acres. Both the air and soil are good, especially the latter, which is said to be the richest in Ireland; only there is a certain tract in it called the Fewer, that is, hilly and barren. The members it sends to parliament are six, viz. two for the city of Armagh, two for the county, and two for the borough of Charlemont.

Armagh, standing near the river Kalin, gives name to the county, and is the see of the primate of all Ireland. It is said to have been founded by St Patrick in the fifth century: and in 1142, it was constituted an archbishopric, together with Dublin, Cashel, and Tuam, by Cardinal Papyreo, with the consent of the king, dukes, bishops, abbots, and states of Ireland. This Papyreo was sent into Ireland by Pope Eugenius, to reform the abuses that had crept into the church discipline of that country. Here was anciently a famous monastery built by St Columba, or Columbanus, about the year 610. The cathedral was often burnt, but as often rebuilt and enlarged, and particularly by Patrick Scanlain, about 1262. His successor Nicholas, son of Moliffa, besides books, rich ecclesiastical vestments, and other things, bestowed on it an annual pension of twenty marks. He appropriated also to his see the manor of Dromykin. He died the 10th of May, 1303. This town was first subjected to the English by John de Courcy; but afterwards entirely destroyed by Tir Oen, or O'Neal, in Queen Elizabeth's time. However, it was afterwards recovered, rebuilt, and garrisoned by the English.

The fee of Armagh is valued in the king's books, by an extent taken anno 30th Henry VIII. at 183l. 17s. 5½d. Irish money per annum, which amounts to 137l. 18s. ½d. the difference between Irish and Sterling money being at that time one-fourth). But by an extent returned in the 1st of James I. it is valued at 400l. sterling per annum, and pays so much first fruits to this day. It is reputed to be worth annually 800l. The chapter of Armagh is composed of five dignitaries and four prebendaries, who have voices in every capitular act. The dignitaries are thus ranked, viz. a dean, chanter, chancellor, treasurer, and archdeacon. There are also eight vicars choral, and an organist, attendant on the service of the cathedral. The vicars choral were anciently fewer; and of the number only one priest. Primate Marsh added another priest, but without increasing the number of vicars. In the year 1720, Primate Lindlay obtained a new charter for enlarging the number of the said vicars to eight, and laid out upwards of 400l. on a purchase, in augmentation of the estate of the choir.