10 Must Do Things and Tourist Places to Visit in Armagh

July 22, 2022 Mustafa Natalwala 1921 Views

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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Table of Contents

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 to 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.

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