Serving as the ecclesiastical capital of Northern Ireland, Armagh is built atop an ancient pagan ritual site that was abandoned in the 1st century AD. It was here that the “Book of Armagh” was produced in the 9th century, with the text containing some of the oldest surviving words of Old Gaelic.
Things to do in Armagh
Dominating the town’s skyline is St Patrick's Cathedral, which is framed by two 63-metre-high spires. It rises atop a site known as Tealach na Licci where Saint Patrick is said to have brought a young deer to save it from slaughter. Step inside to admire the cathedral’s beautiful stained-glass windows before enjoying the sweeping views across Armagh.
The area’s cultural heritage is showcased at the Armagh County Museum, which occupies a Neoclassical-style building fronted by four soaring columns. It originally opened in 1937 with George Paterson curating its collection, which ranged from archaeological findings to vintage costumes and contemporary artwork. In addition to objects excavated from Clontygora and Annaghmare, the museum displays railway memorabilia and watercolours by Cornelius Varley.
A short stroll north takes you to the Armagh Observatory, which was founded in 1790 and is one of the oldest operating scientific institutions in Northern Ireland. It is located alongside the Armagh Planetarium, with its 12-metre dome and state-of-the-art digital projector. In the Exhibition Area, you can touch a meteorite, create your own solar system and discover the wonders of our universe.
Getting around Armagh
Armagh is around 45 minutes’ drive from Belfast and just under an hour from Belfast International Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Regular buses connect to Armagh from towns and cities across Northern Ireland while the town centre is small enough to explore on foot.