Poyntzpass

Poyntzpass (Irish: Pas Phoyntz or Pas an Phointe) is a village on the border between southCounty Armagh and south County Down in Northern Ireland. It is situated in the civil parish of Ballymore and the historic barony of Orior Lower. and is within the Armagh City and District Council area. It had a population of 614 people (255 households) in the 2011 Census.

The village covers the townlands of Tullynacross, Brannock, Federnagh and Loughadian. It includes five places of Christian worship; a Roman Catholic Church, a Church of Ireland Church, a Presbyterian Church, a Baptist Church, and an Independent Church; 3 public houses; and 2 primary schools.

History

Historically, it is one of a few crossing points across a marsh stretching 25 miles (40 km) from Lough Neagh to Carlingford Lough, following the course of a prehistoric glacial overflow channel from which it derives the second half of its name. The first half derives from Colonel Charles Poyntz.

The pass which gave name to the town is on a major route southwards and was named after Lieutenant Charles Poyntz from Gloucestershire who defended it against Hugh O'Neill, 3rd Earl of Tyrone in 1598.