This is a list of lords lieutenants of County Down. There were lieutenants of counties in Ireland until the reign of James II, when they were renamed governors. The office of Lord Lieutenant was recreated on 23 August 1831. Governors Bryan Magennis, 5th Viscount Iveagh 1689–1691 (Jacobite) Wills Hill, 1st Marquess of Downshire –1793 Robert Stewart, 1st Marquess of Londonderry 1793–1821 James Blackwood, 2nd Baron Dufferin and Claneboye: –1831 Robert Ward: 1805–1831 Charles Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry: –1831 Lord Lieutenants The 3rd Marquess of Downshire: 7 October 1831 – 12 April 1845 The 4th Marquess of Londonderry: 17 May 1845 – 1864 The Lord Dufferin and Clandeboye: 13 April 1864 – 12 February 1902, later Earl of Dufferin and Marquess of Dufferin and Ava The 6th Marquess of Londonderry: 16 April 1902 – 8 February 1915 The 7th Marquess of Londonderry: 8 September 1915 – 11 February 1949 The 4th Earl of Kilmorey: 2 June 1949 – 1959 Sir Roland Nugent, 1st Bt.: 10 March 1959 – 18 August 1962 The 6th Earl of Clanwilliam: 25 September 1962 – 1979 Colonel William Norman Brann O.B.E, E.R.D, D.L.: 2 October 1979 – 1990 Colonel William Stephen Brownlow: 17 August 1990 – 1996 Sir William Joseph Hall: 10 October 1996 – 1 August 2009 David Lindsay: 25 August 2009 – 2021 Gawn William Rowan Hamilton: 12 May 2021 – present Deputy lieutenants A deputy lieutenant of County Down is commissioned by the Lord Lieutenant of County Down. Deputy lieutenants support the work of the lord-lieutenant. There can be several deputy lieutenants at any time, depending on the population of the county. Their appointment does not terminate with the changing of the lord-lieutenant, but they usually retire at age 75. 21st Century 19 May 2010: John Witchell 2 September 2016: Peter Campbell Conway 2 September 2016: Professor Neil McClure References History of County Down People from County Down Down