Armagh - A Civil Parish - The County Town of County Armagh

Armagh, Northern Ireland is the county town of county Armagh and it is also a civil Parish. Armagh is the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland and it is now the place where the two cathedrals named after Saint Patrick are found along with the old buildings.
Armagh in Northern Ireland has been famous for its Georgian architecture as well as some of the historic buildings that date back to many many years which are found there, just as the ones we have come across by this trail we started.
The adventure we have started in Armagh - all excited - began with the Armagh Chapel and the Archbishop's Palace or which is now considered the Armagh Council Offices. To make the trip more adventurous, we decided to go up the hill trying to find the Ice House, which we finally managed to find.
The Archbishop's Palace that is found in Armagh, Northern Ireland, is one of the oldest landmarks of the place; it is a Neo-classical building located over 300 acres of parkland just south of the center of the city. This palace was used in different ways, since it started as the primary residence of the Church of Ireland Archbishops of Ireland for over 200 years, and then it was the headquarters of Armagh City and District Council until 2015.
On the same ground and just adjacent to the Palace, there is the Primatial Chapel which was also built for Robinson and was taking the style of a classic old iconic temple. For those who got the chance to see the interior of this chapel, they almost know why it is considered one of the most beautiful Irish ecclesiastical interiors found out there.
The ground where the Archbishop's palace was built is considered huge to the extent that you might come across several things which you didn't even know existed and which are all considered part of the place and might have been built for specific reasons, such as the Rokeby Obelisk, which is found at the top where the high point of the palace is found, known as Knox's hill.
Apart from the treasures and buildings that one will manage to find in this place, we have to mention that its location is also considered special! We have been to the Archbishop's palace and wished that these are our offices now due to the view it has; it is on a high ground itself and thus offer a good view of the city and the Church of Ireland Cathedral.
On the same grounds of this outstanding palace, there are several things that one could see, such as the the walled garden at the north end with a garden house, 19th century glasshouse and an ice house at the west of the palace as well as that other one which is found just near the main entrance of the palace, there are the stables and the coach yard but which is now being used as a visitor's center, as well as one of the three main entrance gates which is still found regardless those which have been demolished, some ruins of a Franciscan Friary, and finally a holly well that was dedicated to Saint Brigid.
When one visits a new destination and historical location, he/she should always move in every road and get into any building that allows access in order to make out the best of this first visit, such as what we have done from running around the place, trying to climb the old ruins, and reaching out for every single door :-)!
These are all beautiful things to be seen but what got our attention at the end of the trip are the ruins of the Franciscan Friary which were discovered by Archbishop Patrick O'Scannail in 1263, which is considered a very very long time ago. This Friary is found at the south-east edge of Armagh and could be also found at the entrance of the Palace Demesne. What we have to mention here about the Franciscan Friary is that it is the longest monastery found in Ireland - an enough reason to shed the lights on it!
As a family, this was the first time for us to visit Armagh, Northern Ireland, and we think that we might come back again to check whether we could get inside or not. We enjoyed the whole trip starting from choosing the trail which we are going to follow and ending with trying to climb the ruins of the Franciscan Friary, of course that's all apart from the running the kids have been doing around!
Northern Ireland is a country to enjoy lots of historical places in and make the best out of the vacation you took. You could visit Belfast City Hall ( • City Hall Belfast Visi... ), you could also check the Cliffs of Moher ( • The Cliffs of Moher To... ), you could take your family and enjoy the Crumlin Road Gaol ( • Crumlin Road Gaol Tour... ), you could visit the Ulster American Folk Park Omagh and enjoy a good day there ( • A Day at Ulster Americ... ), and you could also manage to come across Oranmore Castle ( • Dunguaire Castle - 360... ).
Northern Ireland attractions are numerous, so choose what you want to visit and tell us your feedback! ( • Belfast Tourist Attrac... )
Have a nice trip to Northern Ireland!

[@basmaalhayek3902]

Nice video ❤

[@ConnollyCove]

It was exciting that we ran throughout the whole place! lol

[@sarahmc64]

looking fot relatives of the McArdle family my grandfsther was called peter McArdle my father died when i was a baby stephen robert Mcardle can anyone help