Armagh

United_Kingdom

Autumn view on The Mall East

Armagh is a city in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. It has a population of 14,700.

Armagh is an historical city where St Patrick built his first stone church in 432 AD and where a church has stood ever since. Today that church is Saint Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral, the seat of the Archbishop & Primate of All Ireland (Church of Ireland). On the neighbouring hilltop stands the twin spires of the magnificent 19th century St Patrick's Roman Catholic Cathedral, the seat of the Archbishop & Primate of All Ireland (Roman Catholic Church).

This city is known today as the Ecclesiastical Capital of Ireland, in other words, the home of the heads of the two main churches in Ireland! Pilgrims travel from all over the world to visit this small city with two cathedrals both dedicated to Saint Patrick!

St Patrick's (Church of Ireland) Cathedral St. Patrick's Cathedral (Roman Catholic)

  • St Patrick's Cathedral (Church of Ireland). Dates from the 13th century. Open most days with guides inside.
  • St Patrick's Cathedral (Roman Catholic). Built between 1840 and 1904, and has an impressive interior, the mosaics and woodwork being especially pleasing. Located atop a hill, the cathedral is accessible via a grand exterior staircase.
  • Palace Stables Heritage Centre, The Palace Demesne. Daily. The Archbishop's former stables. Admission charge.
  • Armagh County Museum. Open M-Sa. The usual assortment of items found in a small regional museum. Admission free.
  • Navan Fort, 81 Killylea Road (two miles west of the town centre. Open weekends Apr-Sep, and daily Jun-Aug (M-Sa 10-5, Su 12-5). Fort from about 95 BC. Has a visitor centre with costumed interpreters doing living history demonstrations of Iron Age life, as well as a small museum and tea-room. The site encompasses a considerable piece of parkland, with plaques explaining natural features, flora, and fauna of the area. This is one of the ancient Irish royal sites proposed for inclusion as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admission £5.
  • Armagh Planetarium.
  • Armagh Observatory.
  • Armagh Public Library. The oldest library in Northern Ireland, founded in 1771 by Archbishop Robinson. Free, guided tours £3.
  • Gosford Castle and Forest Park, Markethill (6 miles south east of Armagh. 19th-century building in the style of a Norman castle with 240 hectares of diverse woodland and open parkland

St Patrick's Cathedral (Church of Ireland). Dates from the 13th century. Open most days with guides inside.

St Patrick's Cathedral (Roman Catholic). Built between 1840 and 1904, and has an impressive interior, the mosaics and woodwork being especially pleasing. Located atop a hill, the cathedral is accessible via a grand exterior staircase.

Palace Stables Heritage Centre, The Palace Demesne. Daily. The Archbishop's former stables. Admission charge.

Armagh County Museum. Open M-Sa. The usual assortment of items found in a small regional museum. Admission free.

Navan Fort, 81 Killylea Road (two miles west of the town centre. Open weekends Apr-Sep, and daily Jun-Aug (M-Sa 10-5, Su 12-5). Fort from about 95 BC. Has a visitor centre with costumed interpreters doing living history demonstrations of Iron Age life, as well as a small museum and tea-room. The site encompasses a considerable piece of parkland, with plaques explaining natural features, flora, and fauna of the area. This is one of the ancient Irish royal sites proposed for inclusion as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admission £5.

Armagh Planetarium.

Armagh Observatory.

Armagh Public Library. The oldest library in Northern Ireland, founded in 1771 by Archbishop Robinson. Free, guided tours £3.

Gosford Castle and Forest Park, Markethill (6 miles south east of Armagh. 19th-century building in the style of a Norman castle with 240 hectares of diverse woodland and open parkland

  • Armagh Guided Tours, +44 28 37 551119. Local accredited Blue Badge Guide Barbara planning and guiding visitors around Armagh City - St Patrick's Chosen City. Plenty of history and lots of humour!

Armagh Guided Tours, +44 28 37 551119. Local accredited Blue Badge Guide Barbara planning and guiding visitors around Armagh City - St Patrick's Chosen City. Plenty of history and lots of humour!

  • The Moody Boar Restaurant & Bistro, Palace Demesne Public Park, +44 28 3752 9678.
  • Shapla Indian Restaurant, 39 Lower English St, +44 28 3751 8880.

The Moody Boar Restaurant & Bistro, Palace Demesne Public Park, +44 28 3752 9678.

Shapla Indian Restaurant, 39 Lower English St, +44 28 3751 8880.