Armagh

Armagh is a city in County Armagh, Northern Ireland, with a population in 2011 of 14,700. It's regarded as the ecclesiastic capital of all Ireland by both Protestants and Roman Catholics. It's no longer a "county town" as there's no such unit of governance in Northern Ireland, but since 2015 it's formed part of the Armagh-Banbridge-Craigavon "super-district" covering the northern half of historic County Armagh.

Understand
Armagh was a religious and secular power centre even in pagan times. In 432 AD St Patrick literally capitalised on this tradition by building his first stone church here and declaring it to be the country's Christian capital. (Or at least, he did so in any history controlled by the Armagh church: earlier christianising missionaries elsewhere in Ireland were studiously ignored, so today they have local observances but don't get to stop the New York traffic with a big annual parade.) The site of that 5th century church is now Saint Patrick's Cathedral, the seat of the Church of Ireland (ie Protestant) Archbishop & Primate of All Ireland. Here as elsewhere, the Protestants ejected the Catholics from their churches, and forbade them to build anew. Only in the 19th century was that prohibition abolished, so on the neighbouring hilltop was built St Patrick's Roman Catholic Cathedral, the seat of the RC Archbishop & Primate of All Ireland.

The religious divide was exacerbated by the national divide: after the Irish partition Armagh found itself in Northern Ireland, but with a large population who were Catholic and supportive of the republican cause, and with a nearby porous border with the Republic. "The Troubles" of 1969-1998 were very bitter hereabouts, with 86 deaths, and the place became run-down as business and individuals took flight.

Armagh lost its city status in 1840 but this was restored in 1994 - it's ceremonial, and the place continues to feel like a medium-sized town. After "The Troubles" were calmed by the Good Friday Agreement, Belfast and Londonderry successfully relaunched themselves as lively destinations for travel and business, but Armagh hasn't yet done so. It's still worth visiting for itself and as a base for exploring the county.

Visitor information

 * Visit Armagh website

Get in
Armagh has no railway service. Goldline Express Bus 251 runs hourly from Belfast Europa bus station via Portadown, taking 70 min to Armagh.

Ulsterbus 72 runs every two hours between Dungannon and Armagh, 40 min.

Ulsterbus 40 runs every two hours between Newry and Armagh, one hour.

Ulsterbus 70 runs every couple of hours to Armagh from Monaghan in the Republic of Ireland, 40 min. Twice a day Bus 270 from Belfast connects Portadown, Armagh, Monaghan and Cavan Town.

Goldline Bus 278 runs in university term-time, with one bus Su-F from Monaghan via Armagh to Moy, Dungannon, Cookstown, Magherafelt, Garvagh, Coleraine, Ulster University, Portstewart and Portrush.

By car from Belfast and the ferry ports follow M1 west to Craigavon then A3 through Portadown. From Dublin follow M1 / N1 / A1 north across the border to Newry then A28 to Armagh.

Get around
Armagh is small enough to explore on foot. Ulsterbus 73 passes Navan fort on the road to Killylea and Caledon, but it's a sparse service.

National Cycleway 91 runs mostly on-road from Portadown to Armagh, Monaghan and Enniskillen. Route 95 runs from Armagh to Dungannon, Cookstown and Strabane.

See



 * is a ruin just south of town centre. It was founded in 1263 but dissolved in 1542 by Henry VIII.
 * Other notable buildings in town are the Gaol (primarily a women's prison, it closed in 1986), the Market House which is now a library, and the Archbishop's Palace, chapel and stables which are now council offices.
 * is a ruin just south of town centre. It was founded in 1263 but dissolved in 1542 by Henry VIII.
 * Other notable buildings in town are the Gaol (primarily a women's prison, it closed in 1986), the Market House which is now a library, and the Archbishop's Palace, chapel and stables which are now council offices.
 * Other notable buildings in town are the Gaol (primarily a women's prison, it closed in 1986), the Market House which is now a library, and the Archbishop's Palace, chapel and stables which are now council offices.
 * Other notable buildings in town are the Gaol (primarily a women's prison, it closed in 1986), the Market House which is now a library, and the Archbishop's Palace, chapel and stables which are now council offices.
 * Other notable buildings in town are the Gaol (primarily a women's prison, it closed in 1986), the Market House which is now a library, and the Archbishop's Palace, chapel and stables which are now council offices.

Do

 * Omniplex Cinema is on Market Street.
 * Market Place Theatre and Arts Centre is just behind the cinema, Box Office +44 28 3752 1821
 * County Armagh Golf Club is at 7 Newry Rd, south edge of town.
 * Gaelic games: the County GAA team plays Gaelic football and hurling at the Athletic Grounds (capacity 18,500), off Killylea Rd half a mile west of town centre.
 * Football: Loughgall FC were promoted in 2023 and now play soccer in the NIFL Premiership, the top tier in Northern Ireland. Their home ground is Lakeview Park (capacity 3000) in Loughgall village five miles north of Armagh.
 * There are fitness and leisure centres at Armagh City Hotel, Orchard LC on Folly Lane, and Cathedral Rd.
 * The big Orange Order Parade in Armagh is 12 July each year, but see the Parades Commission listing for smaller events throughout the year.
 * The big Orange Order Parade in Armagh is 12 July each year, but see the Parades Commission listing for smaller events throughout the year.

Buy

 * The main shopping centre is The Mall. Sainsbury's here is open M-W Sa 8AM-8PM, Th F 8AM-9PM, Su 1-6PM.

Eat

 * There's a slew of other cheap eateries along English Street.
 * There's a slew of other cheap eateries along English Street.

Drink

 * Pubs along main drag include Red Ned's, Turner's (24 hours), Toni's, Mulberry and Hole in the Wall.

Connect
Armagh has good mobile and 4G coverage from all UK carriers. As of Aug 2020, 5G has not reached this area.

If you venture near the border, take care that your mobile doesn't latch on to an Irish carrier, which may incur extra charges.

Go next

 * Belfast is a great city destination, with lots to see and do.
 * Cookstown has several nearby prehistoric sites, and the "Beetling Mill" where linen was given its fine finish.
 * Newry won't detain you long, but it's on the route to Drogheda, Dublin and the Mourne Mountains.