15 Amazing Armagh Facts You Need To Know Right Now!

In this article, we will go through some facts about Armagh city, but before we do that, let's first learn about Armagh in general.

Armagh is known as the religious capital of Ireland; in other words, it is 'The City of Saints and Scholars.' It was one of the great historic capitals of Ireland, due to the Navan Fort just outside the city, but Armagh city is a new city in Northern Ireland.

Armagh's a welcoming place, meaning within a few minutes after arriving, it will make you feel like one of its own. Whether it's exploring an ancient Pagan ceremonial site, meeting the wildlife at Lough Neagh, or tasting the cider giving the County Armagh its name, the 'Orchard County.'

County Armagh is made up of seven hills. Two of the hills in Armagh comprise two important Cathedrals named after St. Patrick. The Armagh city is one of the cities that has traditional importance.

Armagh was granted city status in 1994. It is believed to have been formed in the third century when a ditch and bank was built on top of Cathedral Hill, most likely a Pagan settlement.

Armagh was originally called Ard Mhacha after the ancient goddess Macha of war, and it later became Ardmagh and finally became Armagh, the anglicized version of Ardmagh. In 445 AD, Saint Patrick found the church on Sally Hill in Armagh.

Armagh is derived from Ard Mhacha, an Irish word; 'Ard' means high. 'Macha' is an ancient Irish goddess who is said to have been responsible for constructing the hill site of Emain Macha or Navan Fort to be the capital for the kings of Ulaid or Ulster. Therefore, 'Ard Mhacha' means Macha's height or high place.

Some nicknames for the county include 'Orchard County' because of its many apple orchards, and the nickname Cathedral County derives from the medieval Ireland cathedrals in Armagh city. The county colors are orange and white. The motto of County Armagh is 'In Concilio Consilium, ' meaning that wisdom lies in seeking council.

Armagh's Geographic Location

Armagh is a land-locked county town located in the northeast of the island of Ireland in the historical province of Ulster. Politically, it is one of the six counties that make up Northern Ireland, which is a part of the United Kingdom.

Armagh borders the counties of Tyrone, Monaghan, Louth, and Down and County Antrim through Lough Neagh. This lake is the largest lake in Ireland and a freshwater resource.

• The county Armagh is 512 sq mi (1,326 sq km), making it the smallest county in Northern Ireland and the 27th largest on the island, smaller than Leitrim but larger than Monaghan.
• As we move further north, we enter a post-glacial drumlin landscape with some small hills as we approach the shores of Lough Neagh.
• The main rivers of the county are the River Blackwater which forms the boundary with Tyrone county, and River Bann, which passes through the town of Portadown. The border with Down is marked by the Newry Canal, which connects the river Bann and Lough Neagh to Carlingford Lough.
• The south Armagh is a pretty hilly region. It is here where the highest point, Slieve Gullion, is found. A view from the top of this extinct volcano will provide views of several counties. This mountain is the setting of many legends. One such tale is of Irish mythological hero Cu Chulainn who received his name atop the hill. The legend goes that after being invited to the house of Culann, the young hurler Setanta defended himself from a guard hound by hitting a sliotar down his throat. Culainn, the hound's owner, was devastated, so Setanta then decided to become hound of Culann or, in Irish, Cu Chulainn to guard Culainn.

Armagh: Origin And History

County Armagh is considered to be the ecclesiastical or religious capital of Ireland. Ruled by the Red Branch, whose seat of power was Navan Fort, Armagh was home to Ulidians. Navan Fort was then named Emain Macha, after the name of Irish goddess Macha.

• How old is Armagh? Armagh is recognized as the seat of St. Patrick, who built Armagh into the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland and established his principal church, which is now known as St. Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral, which was first founded in 445 AD.
• In Armagh city rests the remains of Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland in medieval times. The bones are believed to be placed in the North Wall of St. Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral. The city was established around 6,500 years ago.
• The educational tradition can be traced back to the foundation of the Royal School in 1608, the Armagh observatory in 1790, and St. Patrick's college in 1834. The county also loves to play Gaelic football, a callback to their past!
• In the mid 17th century, the original Armagh Prison was located on a market street adjacent to McCrum's Court.

Armagh: Population And Weather

Armagh is home to around 217,232 people, making it the 11th most populated country on the island. County Armagh has a population less than Tyrone but larger than Tipperary. Armagh isn't even the county's largest settlement as the uncompleted Craigavon urban area, including Portadown and Lurgan.

• Some smaller towns and villages include Bessbrook, Keady, Richill, and Trandragee. The county is also home to the western suburbs of Newry.
• The historic county town of Armagh is Armagh city, located in the center-west of the County. The city is home to less than 15,000 people according to the 2011 Census, making it the least populated city in Ireland and the fourth smallest in the United Kingdom.
• Is Armagh predominantly Catholic or Protestant? As reported by 2011census, Armagh's population is predominantly Catholic. Gaelic football
• County Armagh, a city in Northern Ireland, comprises an oceanic climate with cool summers and not-so-chilly winters; a range of low-pressure systems brings the rain and the clouds that define the landscape of County Armagh. The weather of this region is defined by the winds coming from the southwest direction.
• Armagh county, located in Northern Ireland, is known to experience high winds. The high winds result from County Armagh's location near the track of low-lying areas.
• What is the main city of Armagh? Keady is the main city of Armagh, with an estimated population of over 3,000 people.

Armagh: Famous Places

Armagh has many famous places that you can visit. The local countryside has a 19th century Gosford Castle and the Saint Patrick Roman Catholic Church, which dominates its area.

It is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archbishop, the Primate of All Ireland, which stands on a hill. The county is now home to both Protestants and Catholics. Armagh consists of lots of local roads that connect many towns and villages.

County Armagh doesn't have any passenger airports, while railways serve some towns on the Dublin to Belfast line. The A1/N1 roadway runs from Belfast to Dublin in the far southeast.

• Here, you can visit the St. Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral. The date for establishing the Church goes back to 445AD. Another church that you can visit here is the Roman Catholic Church. Both the churches are known to provide a great view of the County Armagh. However, both places will test your stamina as you have to climb hills to reach the destination. While coming down after visiting these places, there's a crypt from the Middle Ages with graceful stone carvings.
• Once you are done climbing hills, Armagh city has streets lined with shopping centers, open spaces, and places where you can enjoy Irish cuisine! Red Ned's is an ideal place to vibe with the city's atmosphere, while savorers can choose from a range of cafes or coffee houses. Particular favorites are Uluru, Mulberry Bistro, Embers, and all are family-friendly. Another place to visit in Armagh Country is the Armagh Public Library on Abbey Street. This is a treasure trove of books from the 17th and 18th centuries.
• The city is covered with statues of angels, gargoyles, and other interesting figurines. The existence of these figurines throughout the city pays homage to County Armagh's sacred history. Artist Holger Christian Lönze conceptualized the idea. To give a proper estimate, about 22 such figurines lurk behind rain spouts or figurines outside the library.
• The county has much to offer beyond the churches and the sprawling shopping streets. Other places that you can visit that will take you out in the wild are the fabulous Emain Macha or the Navan Fort, devoted to Macha, the ancient goddess of war and fertility. The fort dedicated to the idol was also home to mythic Irish hero Cuchulainn and also home to Red Branch Knights. Exploring the castle gives the feel of the Iron Age. Other places that you can also visit are the Lough Neah and the orchards around the Country Armagh. Armagh is famous for its cider!
• What are the seven famous hills in Armagh? Camlough Mountain, Carrigatuke, Cotracloghy, Croslieve, Faughil, Mullaghbane Mountain, Slieve Gullion.
• Which sport is played in County Armagh and only in a very few other places in the world? Gaelic football is a common game in Armagh but is rarely played globally.