Annalong ward encompasses a coastal stretch at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, centred around the historic harbour village of the same name. The area is defined by its working relationship with the sea and the granite-rich uplands. The small harbour, once pivotal for the export of Mourne granite and herring fishing, remains a functional focus with active boats. Inland, the landscape transitions sharply into the lower mountain slopes, marked by stone walls and open moorland.
The local economy has traditional roots in fishing and farming, with some smaller-scale tourism drawn to the coastal path and industrial heritage. The distinct Annalong Cornmill, powered by a waterwheel from the Annalong River, is a preserved feature of this past. Settlement is concentrated in the village, with surrounding townlands featuring dispersed rural homes. The ward's character is fundamentally shaped by the physical contrast between the compact harbour and the expansive mountain backdrop.
