County Down Trivia Quiz

Answer: Granite

The Mourne Mountains have been named as an "area of outstanding natural beauty". There are at least a dozen peaks in the mountains.

Source: Wikipedia

Answer: Slieve Donard

Slieve Donard, near Newcastle, is the highest at 849m (2785 ft). It is popular with walkers and climbers. It has part of the Mourne Wall, which is a dry stone wall about 2.5m high by 1m thick. It is 22 miles (35K) long and crosses 15 peaks. It took 18 years to build using traditional methods. S. Connedagh is 767m (2516 ft); S. Binnian is 747m (2451 ft); and S. Bearnagh is 727m (2385 ft).

Answer: Slieve Croob

The Lagan rises on Slieve Croob and flows north through Lisburn and Belfast to enter Belfast Lough. The riverside at Belfast and Lisburn is developed with housing, restaurants and an arts centre. Brown trout and some salmon are fished, and rowing events are held.

Answer: Downpatrick

The county town, although not the largest, is Downpatrick. It is named after Dun Padraig (Irish), translated as Patrick's Stronghold, since it has many links to Saint Patrick. He is thought to be buried there in the grounds of Down Cathedral. It is the lowest place in Ireland, as parts of it are 1.3 ft (0.4m) below sea level.

There is a racecourse where the first meeting was held in 1685.

Answer: C S Lewis

C S Lewis and his wife Joy were married in 1956, but spent a two weeks belated honeymoon in The Old Inn in July 1958. Sadly, his wife died from cancer two years later.

Part of The Old Inn was built about 1600 and it was added to in the 18th century. It was used by smugglers until the end of the 18th century. Then it became popular with writers, and literary meetings have been held there ever since.

Answer: Eisenhower

General Eisenhower visited Bangor and spoke to Allied troops before they left for World War II. He later became President of the USA. In 2005, the North Pier was named the Eisenhower Pier in his honour and the opening ceremony was attended by his granddaughter, Mary-Jean Eisenhower.

Answer: Pat Jennings

Pat Jennings was born in Newry on 12 June 1945. He started his career with Newry Town but soon moved to England where he played 13 years with Tottenham Hotspur and eight years with Arsenal. He achieved 119 international caps. Part of his success may be due to the fact that he had very large hands. He could catch and hold the ball with one hand!

Answer: Bronte family

Patrick Brunty was born near Rathfriland on 17 March 1777 (St Patrick's Day). He later changed the spelling of his name to Bronte. He married Marie Branwell and became curate of Haworth in 1820. Together they had six children - Marie and Elizabeth, who both died as children, Charlotte, Patrick Branwell, Emily and Anne, all of whom became writers.

The three Powys brothers were British writers in the early 20th century. Ted Hughes and his wife Sylvia Plath were poets. Kingsley Amis and his son Martin are 20th century novelists.

Answer: Strangford Lough

Strangford is one of the biggest sea loughs in Britain and Ireland at 150 sq. kilometres. Because the neck of the lough, called The Narrows, is five miles long and only 500m wide, there are very strong tides and whirlpools.

The lough is home to common seals and grey seals, and the mudflats attract vast numbers of waders. The neck of the lough is crossed by a car ferry from Strangford to Portaferry.

Answer: Bush River

The Bush River is in County Antrim and the Bushmills Whiskey company uses its water- an excellent product in my opinion! The Lagan runs through Belfast, Upper Bann runs into Lough Neagh and the Quoile enters Strangford Lough