Duleek Lower
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Duleek Lower
Damhliag Íochtarach (Irish) | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Barony map of County Meath, 1900; Duleek Lower is in the east, coloured green. | |
  Duleek Lower | |
| Coordinates: 53°40′N 6°25′W / 53.67°N 6.41°W | |
| Sovereign state | Ireland |
| Province | Leinster |
| County | Meath |
| Area | |
• Total | 152.9 km2 (59.0 sq mi) |
Duleek Lower or Lower Duleek (Irish: Damhliag Íochtarach) is a historical barony in eastern County Meath, Ireland.[1]
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 They acquired modest local taxation and spending functions in the 19th century before being superseded by the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898.[2]
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]