Duleek Lower

Duleek Lower or Lower Duleek (Irish: Damhliag Íochtarach) is a historical barony in eastern County Meath, Ireland.^[1]

Duleek Lower Damhliag Íochtarach (Irish)
Barony
Balrath Cross
Barony map of County Meath, 1900; Duleek Lower is in the east, coloured green.
Duleek Lower
Coordinates: 53°40′N 6°25′W
Sovereign state	Ireland
Province	Leinster
County	Meath
Area
• Total	152.9 km2 (59.0 sq mi)

Baronies were mainly cadastral rather than administrative units. They acquired modest local taxation and spending functions in the 19th century before being superseded by the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898.^[2]

History

Prior to the Norman invasion of Ireland, the Duleek Lower area was ruled by the Uí Dhubháin (O'Duane) of Knowth (whose name survived in the Downestown townland),^[3] and the Ua Maoil Lughdhach (O'Molluwey) of Brú na Bóinne. The barony of Duleek existed before 1542 in the Lordship of Meath; it took its name from the town of Duleek ^[4][5] Duleek was divided into Lower (northern) and Upper (southern) halves by 1807.^[6]

Geography

Duleek Lower is in the east of the county, to the south of the River Boyne, and runs up to Meath's short coastline on Drogheda Bay.^[7]

List of settlements

Settlements within the historical barony of Duleek Lower include:

• Donore
• Duleek
• Yellow Furze