Emain Macha (or Navan Fort) at the city's edge, is believed to have been used as an ancient pagan ritual or ceremonial site. According to Irish mythology it was once the capital of Ulster, until it was abandoned during the 1st century CE. The site was named after the goddessMacha, and as the settlement grew on the hills nearby, it was also named after the goddess ? Ard Macha means "The Height of Macha".
When Christianity spread to Ireland during the mid-400s CE, Armagh became the island's "ecclesiastical capital", as Saint Patrick established his principal church there. Saint Patrick decreed that only those educated in Armagh could spread the gospel. According to the Annals of the Four Masters, in the year 457:
In 839 the monastery in Armagh was raided by Vikings. As with similar raids, their objective was simply to acquire valuables such as silver, which the churches and monasteries often kept.
Armagh has been an educational centre since the time of Saint Patrick, and thus it has been referred to as "the city of saints and scholars". The educational tradition continued with the foundation of The Royal School, Armagh in 1608 and the Armagh Observatory in 1790. This was part of the Archbishops plan to have a university founded in the city. This ambition was finally fulfilled, albeit briefly, in the 1990s when Queen's University of Belfast opened an outreach centre in the former hospital building.
The Troubles
For more information see The Troubles in Armagh, which includes a list of incidents in Armagh during the Troubles resulting in two or more fatalities.
Armagh is the site of two cathedrals, both on hills and both named after Saint Patrick. The Church of Ireland cathedral dates back to around 445. The Roman Catholic cathedral was constructed during the latter half of the 1800s and features twin 64m spires, making it the tallest such structure in the county. Armagh is the only city in the world which is home to two Cathedrals of the same name.
The city is home to Armagh Observatory, founded in 1790 and to the Armagh Planetarium established in 1968 to complement the research work of the Armagh Observatory. It has a Georgian area of heritage importance.
The Palace Stables heritage centre is a reconstructed stable block dating from the 1700s, which once part of the Archbishop's estate.
Among the city's chief glories is the Public Library on Abbey Street. Founded in 1771 by Archbishop Richard Robinson (later Lord Rokeby) using his own library as its nucleus, it is especially rich in 17th and 18th century English books, including Dean Jonathan Swift's own copy of the first edition of his Gulliver's Travels with his manuscript corrections.
Armagh Market House was built in 1815 as a two storey five bay building, and is currently used as a Library and Learning Centre.
Armagh city is classified as a Medium Town by the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) (ie with population between 10,000 and 18,000 people). On Census day (29 April2001) there were 14,590 people living in Armagh. Of these:
25.1% were aged under 16 years and 17.5% were aged 60 and over
48.1% of the population were male and 51.9% were female
68.3% were from a Catholic background and 30.2% were from a Protestant background
Armagh acquired rail links to Belfast in 1848 (Armagh railway station opened on 1 March1848)[2], Monaghan in 1858, Newry in 1864 and Keady in 1909. The line to Newry was closed in 1933, and all other lines to Armagh were closed on 1 October1957[2].
Gaelic Football is the most supported and played sport in Armagh. The Armagh GAA team is ranked in the top three in Ireland with Tyrone and Kerry.
In 2004, The Royal School, Armagh became only the second team in history to win both the school's rugby and hockey cups, in the same year.
The City of Armagh Rugby Club[3] has also been very successful recently, winning the Junior Cup last year. Currently the firsts are top of their league.
The Mall in Armagh has a long association with cricket, and it is on the Mall that the clubhouse of Armagh City Cricket club is situated.
Armagh City Football Club currently play in the Irish League Premiership.
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