Things to do in Armagh City
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Navan Fort
Perched atop a drumlin a little over 3km west of Armagh is Navan Fort, the most important archaeological site in Ulster. It was probably a prehistoric provincial capital and ritual site, on a par with Tara in County Meath.
The Irish name Emain Macha means 'the twins of Macha', Macha being the same mythical queen or goddess after whom Armagh itself is named (from Ard Macha, 'heights of Macha'). The site is linked in legend with the tales of Cúchulainn and named as capital of Ulster and the seat of the legendary Knights of the Red Branch.
It was an important centre from around 1150 BC until the coming of Christianity; the discovery of the skull of a Barbary ape on the site …
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St Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral
The city's Anglican cathedral occupies the site of St Patrick's original stone church. The present cathedral's ground plan is 13th century but the building itself is a Gothic restoration dating from 1834 to 1840. A stone slab on the exterior wall of the north transept marks the burial place of Brian Ború, the high king of Ireland, who died near Dublin during the last great battle against the Vikings in 1014.
Within the church are the remains of an 11th-century Celtic Cross that once stood nearby, and the Tandragee Idol, a curious granite figure dating back to the Iron Age. In the south aisle is a memorial to Archbishop Richard Robinson (1709–94), who founded Armagh's obse…
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St Patrick’s Cathedral
The St Patrick’s Cathedral was built between 1838 and 1873 in Gothic Revival style, with huge twin towers dominating the approach up flight after flight of steps. Inside it seems almost Byzantine, with every piece of wall and ceiling covered in brilliantly coloured mosaics. The sanctuary was modernised in 1981 and has a very distinctive tabernacle holder and crucifix that seem out of place among the mosaics and statues of the rest of the church. Mass is said at 10am Monday to Friday, and at 9am, 11am and 5.30pm on Sunday.
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St Patrick's Roman Catholic Cathedral
The other St Patrick's Cathedral was built between 1838 and 1873 in Gothic Revival style, with huge twin towers dominating the approach up flight after flight of steps. Inside it seems almost Byzantine, with every piece of wall and ceiling covered in brilliantly coloured mosaics. The sanctuary was modernised in 1981 and has a very distinctive tabernacle holder and crucifix that seem out of place among the mosaics and statues of the rest of the church. Mass is said at 10am Monday to Friday, and at 9am, 11am and 5.30pm on Sunday.
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St Patrick's Trian
The old Presbyterian church behind the tourist office has been turned into a heritage centre and visitor complex known as St Patrick's Trian. There are three exhibitions: the Armagh Story explores the history of Armagh from pagan prehistory to the present day; Patrick's Testament takes an interactive look at the ancient Book of Armagh; and for the kids there's the Land of Lilliput, where Gulliver's adventures in Lilliput are recounted by a gigantic model of Jonathan Swift's famous creation.
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Armagh County Museum
The city museum displays prehistoric axe heads, items found in bogs, corn dollies and straw-boy outfits, and military costumes and equipment. Don't miss the gruesome cast-iron skull that once graced the top of the Armagh gallows.
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Anglican Cathedral
The city’s Anglican cathedral occupies the site of St Patrick’s original stone church. The present cathedral’s ground plan is 13th century but the building itself is a Gothic restoration dating from 1834 to 1840. A stone slab on the exterior wall of the north transept marks the burial place of Brian Ború, the high king of Ireland, who died near Dublin during the last great battle against the Vikings in 1014.
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Palace Stables Heritage Centre
The Primate's Palace, overlooking the ruins of a 13th-century Franciscan friary on the southern edge of town, was built for Archbishop Robinson when he was appointed primate of Ireland in 1769. The bishop's stables are now home to the Palace Stables Heritage Centre, a set of tableaux staffed by costumed guides illustrating how the archbishop's guests were entertained in the 18th century.
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Manor Park Restaurant
Crisp white linen and silver candlesticks complement a cosy old-world decor of red-brick walls, parquet floors and Persian rugs in this atmospheric French restaurant. The menu runs the gastronomic gamut from sautéed scallops to tournedos Rossini, with a wine list as long as the Loire. There’s a three-course early evening menu for £20, available 5pm to 6.30pm.
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Armagh Public Library
The Greek inscription above the main entrance to Armagh Public Library, founded in 1771 by Archbishop Robinson, means 'the medicine shop of the soul'. Step inside and you'd swear that the archbishop had just swept out of the door, leaving you to browse among his personal collection of 17th- and 18th-century books, maps and engravings.
The library's most prized possession is a first edition of Gulliver's Travels, published in 1726 and annotated by none other than Swift himself. It was stolen in an armed robbery in 1999, but was recovered, undamaged, in Dublin 20 months later.
Other treasures of the library include Sir Walter Raleigh's 1614 History of the World, the Claims of…
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Stage Bar & Bistro
This stylish little place is a chilled-out haven of coffee- and cream- coloured sofas and chairs in the theatre lobby, with a menu that offers some tasty vegetarian dishes – try the brie, red onion and spinach tart – as well as the steak sandwich with caramelised onions, and baked sea bass with curried mango dressing.
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Uluru Bistro
The Aussie chef at Uluru brings a bit of antipodean flair to Armagh, with a fusion menu that ranges from salt 'n' chilli tempura prawns to chargrilled medallions of marinated kangaroo with sweet-potato chips, plus Irish steak, seafood and venison dishes.
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The Mall
The Mall, to the east of the town centre, was a venue for horse racing, cock fighting and bull baiting until the 18th century, when Archbishop Robinson decided that it was all a tad vulgar for a city of learning, and transformed it into an elegant Georgian park.
At its northern end stands Armagh Courthouse, rebuilt after being destroyed by a huge IRA bomb blast in 1993. It originally dates from 1809, designed by local man Francis Johnston, who later became one of Ireland's most famous architects. At the southern end, directly opposite the courthouse, is the forbidding Armagh Gaol. Built in 1780 to the design of Thomas Cooley, it remained in use until 1988; there are plans …
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Armagh Planetarium
The Armagh Observatory was founded by Archbishop Robinson in 1790 and is still Ireland's leading astronomical research institute. Aimed mainly at educating young people, the nearby Armagh Planetarium has an interactive exhibition on space exploration, and a digital theatre that screens a range of spectacular half-hour shows on its domed ceiling (check website for show times).
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Courthouse
At the Mall's northern end stands the Courthouse, rebuilt after being destroyed by a huge IRA bomb in 1993. It originally dates from 1809, designed by local man Francis Johnston, who later became one of Ireland's most famous architects.
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Armagh County Museum
This museum displays prehistoric axe heads, items found in bogs, corn dollies and straw-boy outfits, and military costumes and equipment. Don’t miss the gruesome cast-iron skull that once graced the top of the Armagh gallows.
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Café Papa
This deli-cum-cafe serves good coffee, cakes, home-baked bread and gourmet sandwiches. It also does bistro dinners on Friday and Saturday evenings when you can bring your own wine.
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Armagh Gaol
At the southern end of the Mall, directly opposite the courthouse, is the forbidding Armagh Gaol. Built in 1780 to the design of Thomas Cooley, it remained in use until 1988.
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Royal Irish Fusiliers Museum
Near the county museum, the Royal Irish Fusiliers Museum tells the story of the 'Eagle Takers', the first regiment to capture one of Bonaparte's imperial eagle standards in 1811.
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Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre
Armagh’s main cultural venue hosts a 400-seat theatre, exhibition galleries, a restaurant, a cafe and the Stage Bar & Bistro, which has live bands on Saturday nights.
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Northern Bar
The Northern is your best bet for live bands, with traditional music sessions on Tuesday evenings, and local rock bands and DJs on Friday and Saturday nights.
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Navan Centre
The Navan Centre has exhibitions placing the fort in its historical context, and a recreation of an Iron Age settlement.
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Gildernews Bar
Formerly Hughes' Bar, Gildernews has traditional music sessions every Tuesday at 22:00, and DJs on Friday and Saturday.
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