CountyArmagh
County Armagh, known as the "Orchard County" for its countless apple orchards, is a region brimming with spiritual significance, rich history, and gentle rolling landscapes. It is the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland, with its county town, Armagh City, housing two magnificent cathedrals both dedicated to St. Patrick, who established his main church here in the 5th century. This deep heritage is explored in world-class institutions like the Armagh Robinson Library and the modern Planetarium. The county's fertile land has long been a prize, evidenced by numerous ancient sites such as the Navan Fort (Eamhain Mhacha), a pre-Iron Age ceremonial capital surrounded by myth.
The southern part of the county, with its low hills, is dotted with quiet villages and towns like Crossmaglen and Keady. Larger settlements include the bustling port town of Portadown and its neighbor Lurgan, both historically centres of the linen industry. The area around Tandragee is famously home to the Tayto Castle, the factory of Ireland's beloved crisp brand. Whether you're following the St. Patrick's Trail, sampling cider from local orchards, or exploring its quiet country lanes, County Armagh offers a uniquely peaceful and historically profound experience, often away from the main tourist trails.
