Armagh is a town and a county in Northern Ireland. It is the seat of Primates of All Ireland for the Roman Catholic Church and Church of Ireland. The cathedrals of the two churches are also among the best places to visit in Armagh. It is also the religious capital of Ireland and also the seat of the Archbishop of Armagh. The county has several other large and small churches and chapels. The ones situated in pastors outside the city are especially worth visiting. Other fun things to do in Armagh city include exploring history museums, historical buildings, archeological sites, nature trails, ruined historical structures and orchard tours. We have put together a 2-day itinerary in the section below encompassing the top things to see in Armagh.
As you explore the town, you will come across several buildings and houses exhibiting the Gregorian style of architecture. Many of Armagh’s tourist attractions including religious and public buildings also exhibit Gregorian architecture. There are a few exceptions to this in form of the County Museum, Church of Ireland Cathedral and Robinson Library. The town is also associated with Armagh attractions like its Observatory which was recognized for 224 years of unbroken weather records. The observatory is also known for its pursuit of astronomical sciences and exhibit of ancient instruments concerning the science.
Other popular places to go in Armagh include the ancient ritual site of Navan Fort. This archeological site used to be a very important place for pagan rituals during Gaelic Ireland. It was the seat for rulers and the capital of ancient Ulster. It is also a popular spot for Armagh sightseeing for its association with ancient Irish heroes like Cuchulainn and Red Branch Knights.
The town is also famous for its cider and apple orchards where this cider is made. These are interesting places to see in Armagh and you can also purchase a variety of locally made products from these farms. Check out the section below to find Armagh tourist spots featured in ‘The Game of Thrones’, the super hit HBO fantasy series.
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The Best 10 Tourist Places to Visit in Armagh in 2 Days (Trip Itinerary)
Day 1
1. Armagh Observatory and Planetarium
This astronomical research institute and observatory focuses on subjects like stellar astrophysics, the Solar System, Earth’s climate and activities of the Sun. The facility has a museum exhibiting historical artifacts, sundials, old telescopes and more. It is one of the best places to visit in Armagh for family tourists. You will need about an hour to tour this place.
2. Armagh County Museum
This museum opened in 1937 and is the oldest county museum in Ireland. The museum exhibits artifacts, scale models and antique items concerning natural history, politics, warfare, culture, archeology, chemistry, geology and more. It is also one of the best Armagh tourist attractions to learn about the region. You will need 2 hours to tour this museum.
3. St Patrick’s Cathedral (Church of Ireland)
The current structure of this cathedral dates back to the 13th century but its history goes all the way back to the 5th century. It is one of the most historically and culturally significant places to go in Armagh. It is also well known for its impressive architecture and for being a burial site for several notable people of the county. You will need 30 to 45 minutes from Armagh sightseeing to tour this cathedral.
4. Navan Fort and Center
This ancient ceremonial monument was one of the great royal sites of Gaelic Ireland. It is one of the most fascinating Armagh attractions. It is also a major archeological site with evidence of buildings buried underneath the hill. You will need about 2 hours to explore this place during Armagh travel.
5. St Patrick’s Cathedral (Roman Catholic)
Built between 1840 and 1904, this cathedral is one of the most popular things to see in Armagh. The construction of this church happened in various phases and was obstructed by several cultural and political factors. The church is known for its architecture, interior design, artworks and cultural significance. You will need half an hour or so to explore this cathedral when you visit Armagh.
6. Palace Stables Heritage Centre (Archbishop’s Palace)
This heritage center recreates the year 1786 in an Archbishop’s stable. The stable has actors who perform various duties in character. It is among the most fun things to do in Armagh city. This place really takes you back in time. This palace is also a beautiful sight in terms of architecture, sculptures, carvings and fine arts. You will need about an hour for this experience.
7. Armagh Robinson Library
This public library is included among Armagh tourist spots for its Neo-classical architecture and its collection of noteworthy works of literature and fine arts. The biggest attraction of this Library is Jonathan Swift’s copy of Gulliver’s Travel. This copy belonged to the author himself and has several notes and corrections penned down by him. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to tour this library.
Day 2
1. Benburb Valley Park and Castle
This park consists of nature trails through the forest and culminates with a visit of a ruined castle. Both the nature sights and the ruined castle are among the most interesting places to see in Armagh. This castle and the park are not situated within Armagh, but is close enough to warrant a visit. You will need 2 hours to explore this park and an additional hour to reach there from the city.
2. Apple Orchard Tour
There are quite a few orchards that provide guided tours of their facilities. These are mostly apple orchards that produce ciders and other apple-based products. It is one of the most fun things to do in Armagh city. You can also purchase a variety of produce and manufactured products fresh from these farms. Some of the farms also allow you to participate in their activities. You would need about 2 hours of time from Armagh sightseeing for this experience.
3. Gosford Castle
This 19th-century castle was built for the 2nd Earl of Gosford. It has a long and storied history which is exhibited in the castle’s museum. But, it is most well known among places to visit in Armagh for having featured in the hit HBO show Game of Thrones. This castle was presented as the castle of the House of Tully in the series. You will need about 2 to 3 hours to explore this castle and its surroundings during Armagh travel. You will need an additional hour to journey to this castle from the city.
If you are looking for more things to see in Armagh check out the sections below. We have compiled an exhaustive list of places and activities to explore in and around the city.
Things to do in Armagh
Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Armagh
- St. Patrick Roman Catholic Cathedral
- St. Patrick Church of Ireland Cathedral
- Armagh Observatory and Planetarium
- Armagh County Museum
- Armagh Robinson Public Library
- Navan Center and Fort
- Palace Stables Heritage Center
- Royal Irish Fusiliers Museum
- No. 5 Vicar’s Hill Museum
- Demesne Castle Ruins
- Benburb Castle Ruins
- Museum of Orange Heritage
- F.E. McWIlliam Gallery
- Brownlow House
- Lough Neagh Discovery Center
- The Argory Estate
- Armagh Gaol
Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Armagh
- Palace Demesne Public Park
- Benburb Valley Park
- Armagh Orchards
- Armagh Cider Company
- Lurgan Park
- Tayto Castle Factory
- Ferguson Irish Linen Factory
- Oxford Island
- Marke place Theatre and Arts Center
- Long Medor Cider Orchard
Shopping in Armagh
- Market Street
- The Mall
- Spire’s Retail Park
Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure Activities to Do in Armagh
- Hiking
- Boat Tours
- Kayaking
- Zipline
Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Armagh
- Embers
- McConville Pub
- Shapla
- Uluru Bar & Grill
- Digbys
- Mulberry Bistro
- The Portmore
- Friary
- Toni’s Bar & Grill
- Keegan’s Bar 7 Bistro
- Dante’s
- Groucho Cafe Bar
- Green Room
Where to Stay in Armagh?
Here we have listed Top Rated Hotels in Armagh. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Armagh.
- Courtyard Mews
- Basil Sheils Bar & Restaurant Armagh – B&B Accommodation
- Hillview Lodge
- The Meadows – Armagh
- Armagh City Hotel
- Dundrum House
- Charlemont Arms Hotel
Custom Tours Package in Armagh
How to Reach Armagh?
By Air
The closest airports for Armagh travel is the Dublin International Airport and Belfast International Airport. You will have to get to the city from the airport to find transportation to reach Armagh. These airports receive direct flights from several destinations around the world.
By Road
The closest train stations to visit Armagh are Newry and Portadown. You can get buses to get to Armagh from these towns. You can also get regular buses from Belfast, Dublin, Londonderry, Portadown, Newry, Darkley, Keady, Caledon and several other towns and cities in Ireland and Northern Ireland to reach Armagh.
If you are planning to travel by road, you should head for routes A28, A29 or A3. Armagh is situated at the juncture of these 3 routes.
By Water
There are no direct water routes to visit Armagh.
Image Reference
- Armagh Observatory and Planetarium – Miruna / Wikipedia
- Armagh County Museum – Keith Ewing / Flickr
- St Patrick’s Cathedral (Church of Ireland) – Allan LEONARD / Flickr
- Navan Fort & Centre – Giuseppe Milo / Flickr
- St Patrick’s Cathedral (Roman Catholic) – cathal100 / PixaBay
- Palace Stables Heritage Centre – Eric Jones / Geograph.ie
- Armagh Robinson Library – Ardfern / Wikimedia Commons
- Benburb Valley Park and Castle – HENRY CLARK / Wikimedia Commons
- Apple Orchard Tour – Conall / Flickr
- Gosford Castle – Kip471 / Wikimedia Commons
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