Ecclesiastical capital
Armagh is the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland, being the seat of the Archbishops of Armagh, who are considered the senior churchmen for both the Irish Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland. The history of these two institutions has been fractious to say the least and Armagh has been at the centre of many a past conflict.
The city's important religious heritage is showcased by the Armagh Franciscan Friary on the south-east edge of town. Its ruins are set in lovely green grounds, ideal for a spring saunter.
Most recently, the city was the scene of bloodshed during The Troubles, and historians of this dark period will be able to visit sights with great significance to the conflict. However, Armagh, like the rest of Northern Ireland, has emerged with a desire for peace and prosperity.
Protestants and Catholics now live peacefully side by side in Armagh. Their respective places of worship are both named after St Patrick and sit atop hills in the city. Walk between the two for an invigorating urban ramble. The Church of Ireland cathedral dates back to 445, while the Roman Catholic cathedral has two amazing 64-metre twin spires.
Georgian heritage
After admiring the beauty of Armagh's two cathedrals, take a stroll around town to see some of the city's incredible Georgian architecture. Highlights include the Armagh Prison, Market House, Armagh Public Library and the Armagh County Museum. The oldest county museum in Ireland is housed in a former school and has an amazing permanent collection encompassing archaeology, transport, costume and art.
The sky at night
For all those stargazers among you, Armagh is home to both the Armagh Observatory and the Armagh Planetarium. The Observatory, founded in 1789, is still a centre of astronomical research and home to 25 astronomers. Visitors can look at ancient sundials, old and new telescopes and telescopic domes while marvelling at man's quest for knowledge.
From Armagh Hotels take a trip to the Armagh Planetarium. The building underwent a major renovation in 2006 and is now completely environmentally friendly. The Digital Theatre is equipped with the latest technology and expert staff put on jaw-dropping shows of celestial navigation. This is not just entertainment, though – you'll leave with a newfound astronomical knowledge, ready to reach for the stars.
Quality nosh
Come back down to earth gently with a visit to one of Armagh's quality restaurants. Uluru Bistro has won the city's ‘restaurant of the year award' six times and serves up mouth-watering modern Australian cuisine using locally sourced ingredients.
For a more authentically Armagh menu, stop off at 4 Vicars Restaurant and Tea Room, located next to the Church of Ireland cathedral on Vicar's Hill. The kitchen serves up delicious Irish food and daily homemade treats.
After dinner, stop off at the Hole in the Wall pub in the centre of town. It's housed in a 400-year-old building that was formerly a jail. The building is said to be haunted by a friendly ghost called Wilfy and has a very talkative parrot called Casper perched on the bar.
With its eccentricity and rich history, Armagh is a truly wonderful place to visit.
