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Armagh

Explore Ireland’s oldest city in the heart of Northern Ireland’s Orchard County

Activities

From excellent golf to exciting water-skiing

Armagh Guided Tours

Enjoy a fantastic guided walking tour of Armagh and find out everything there is to know about the county from Cu Chulainn and St Patrick to Brian Boru and Saint Malachy. Booking essential.

Cycling

Enjoy the bounteous natural pleasures of County Armagh at a different pace. There are 38 miles of cycling route from beautifully tranquil rural villages to the traffic-free zones of Armagh City. For more information contact Armagh Tourist Information Centre (Tel: 0044 28 3752 1800).

Fishing

Check out the River Blackwater for coarse fishing; Shaws Lake for perch, rainbow and brown trout; Lowry’s Lake for rainbow and brown trout; Tullnawood Lake for fly-fishing; and Darkley Lake, Aughnagurgan Lake, Callan River and The Cusher where all legal fishing is permitted.

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Golf

Get into the swing of things with the area’s two 18-hole golf courses, County Armagh Golf Club, and Tandragee.

Water-skiing

Pull onyour wetsuit and enjoy waterskiing for all abilities at the Craigavon Lakes, County Armagh.

County Armagh Golf Club.

Sightseeing

Uncover a history filled with ancient warriors and Ireland’s patron saint

Clare Glen, Tandragee

Take time out to enjoy this scenic glen located within a winding river valley.

Gosford Forest Park, Markethill

Home to the picturesque Gosford Castle, this pretty park has cattle and sheep wandering in open paddocks, a deer park and beautiful walled gardens.  

Navan Fort, County Armagh

A large earthwork on the summit of a hill, Navan was known in legend as Emain Macha, ceremonial and spiritual capital of ancient Ulster, associated with tales of the warrior Cuchulainn.

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St Patrick’s Cathedral (Church of Ireland)

St Patrick founded his chief church on the Hill of Armagh here in 455AD, although this present building dates from the 13th century. 

St Patrick’s Trian Visitor Centre

This excellent visitor centre in the heart of Armagh City brings St Patrick to life with touch-screen technology and games and crafts.

The Orchard County

·          Much of Armagh’s unique beauty lies with its beautiful apple trees as more than 4,000 acres of the county are covered with them. Apple growing in Armagh dates back over 3,000 years to when St Patrick planted an apple tree at a spot close to Armagh City. The countryside is undoubtedly at its most beautiful during apple blossoming in May when the landscapes glows with every shade of pink imaginable. 

St Patrick's Cathedral.

Children

Stare at the stars, and learn all about the ancient seat of Ulster kings

Armagh Planetarium, College Hill

Get stellar with meteorite impacts and space robots, build a rocket, and see a star show.

Craigavon Centrepoint, Craigavon

A top children’s leisure complex with a four-screen cinema, 10-lane bowling alley and soft indoor play area. 

Navan Centre, Killylea Road

This revamped interpretative centre focuses on one of Ireland’s most important archeological sites, Navan Fort. The Fort was the ancient capital of Ulster and seat of Ulster’s kings and queens. 

Armagh Planetarium

Culture and festivals

Explore Armagh’s Georgian and Victorian past and soak up some culture in an award-winning arts centre

Armagh Apple Blossom Festival

Celebrate the beautiful Apple Blossom season in the capital of the Orchard County. Events include outdoor concerts, guided tours and a lipsmacking food market!

Bard of Armagh

This festival of humourous verse is held in November and has been in existence since 1993. It has grown to become something of a national institution! Breaking down all social, political, age and gender barriers, the event attracts interest from here to Australia!

Market Place Theatre and Arts Centre

An award-winning theatre and cultural arts facility in the heart of Armagh City, the Market Place is host to top theatrical productions, arts performances, children’s shows and variety entertainment. The Centre also boasts a visual arts gallery, studio space, café, restaurant and bar. 

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Palace Stables Heritage Centre, Armagh

This restored Georgian stable block gives a fantastic insight into how the stables would have operated in 1786. You can also visit the Georgian Kitchen, the Kitchen Walled Garden, a Victorian schoolroom and the lovely gardens. 

The Argory, Dungannon

This elegant neo-classical Irish gentry house catapults you back to the 1820s and has a magnificent cabinet barrel organ, cantilever staircase and original gas light fittings – but make sure you go on a bright day as the house still has no electricity!

William Kennedy Piping Festival

An internationally renowned event attracting participants and visitors from all over the world, the festival celebrates the life and times of William Kennedy.

Palace Stables Heritage Centre.

Eating, Drinking and Luxury

Enjoy fine restaurants with elegant décor and fantastic fare 

Annahaia (89 Drumintee Road, Killeavy)

An excellent spot with fantastic seafood and superbly executed international dishes in a wonderfully rural location. 

Café Paul Rankin (Portadown)

Is the place to head if you’re after something tasty for lunch. 

Delectable delights

If you’ve a soft spot for lavish surroundings, then head to the characterful Manor Park Restaurant   (2 College Hill, The Mall, Armagh). This delightful French spot uses the finest fresh ingredients and boasts a wonderfully warm and cosy dining room with low timber ceilings, period details and a blazing fire in winter within a charming building that dates from 1809. 

Dining out in Armagh

Shopping

Seek out some unique crafts in Armagh City’s shopping district

Armagh’s picturesque Georgian city centre

Known as a top centre for arts and crafts, the city boasts a number of family based businesses, which have been running for years. If you’re looking for something special to take home, try the Armagh Glass Studio (18 Drummanmore Road); Dolmen Crafts (115 Portadown Road); and Mary Murphy Jewellery Design (14 Russell Street). 

Shambles Market, Cathedral Road

As well as a glut of top name high street fashion stores, you can rummage around for something unique at the Shambles Market every Tuesday and Thursday where over 35 traders ply their wares. 

Mary Murphy Jewellery Design, Armagh
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Special offer

Lurgaboy Lodge - Gosford Cottage - 3 night self-catering break

Lurgaboy Lodge - Gosford Cottage - 3 night self-catering break

Offer from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board 2008 Short Breaks promotion. 3 night self-catering break - contact premises for more...

Did you know?

The author of some of the most well known Christian hymns, including All Things Bright and Beautiful and Once in Royal David’s City, spent most of her life in Northern Ireland. Cecil Francis Alexander (1818-1895) was married to William Alexander, who was Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland.