The 1996 Down Senior Hurling Championship was the 88th staging of the Down Senior Hurling Championship since its establishment by the Down County Board in 1903.
Ballycran entered the championship as the defending champions.
The final was played on 25 August 1996 at McKenna Park, between Portaferry and Ballygalget. Portaferry won the match by 1âÂÂ14 to 2âÂÂ05 to claim their 14th championship title overall and a first title in five years.