View source for Armagh

{{Short description|City in Northern Ireland}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2017}}
{{Infobox UK place
| official_name = Armagh
| irish_name = Ard Mhacha<ref name="Placenames">{{cite web | url=http://www.logainm.ie/en/1411561 | title=Ard Mhacha / Armagh | publisher=Logainm.ie | work=Placenames Database of Ireland | access-date=20 February 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302093213/http://www.logainm.ie/en/1411561 | archive-date=2 March 2016 | url-status=live }}</ref>
| scots_name = Airmagh<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/moirastationus.pdf|title=Home|access-date=25 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131025115638/http://www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/moirastationus.pdf|archive-date=25 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
| local_name = 
| static_image_name    = Armagh Golf Club ^ Cathedrals - geograph.org.uk - 6606441.jpg
| static_image_caption = The two St Patrick's cathedrals, Armagh
| static_image_2_name  = Armagh coat of arms.png
| static_image_2_width = 140px
| map_type = Northern Ireland
| coordinates = {{coord|54.3499|-6.6546|display=inline,title}}
| label_position = none
| belfast_distance_mi = 33
| london_distance = 
| population = 16,310
| population_ref = <small>([[2021 United Kingdom census|2021 Census]])</small>
| irish_grid_reference = H876455
| unitary_northern_ireland = [[Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon]]
| country = Northern Ireland
|historic_county=
|post_town = ARMAGH
| postcode_area = BT
| postcode_district = BT60, BT61
| dial_code = 028
| constituency_westminster = [[Newry and Armagh (UK Parliament constituency)|Newry & Armagh]]
| constituency_ni_assembly = [[Newry and Armagh (Assembly constituency)|Newry & Armagh]]
| lieutenancy_northern_ireland = [[County Armagh]]
| website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20100106191156/http://www.armagh.gov.uk/ armagh.gov.uk]
| hide_services = yes
}}
'''Armagh''' ({{IPAc-en|ɑr|ˈ|m|ɑː}} {{respell|ar|MAH|'}}; {{langx|ga|Ard Mhacha}}, {{IPA|ga|ˌaːɾˠd̪ˠ ˈwaxə|IPA}}, "[[Macha]]'s height"<ref>{{Cite book|title=Place-names of Great Britain and Ireland|last=Field|first=John|date=1980|publisher=David & Charles|isbn=0389201545|location=Newton Abbot, Devon|oclc=6964610|page=25}}</ref>) is a city and the [[county town]] of [[County Armagh]], in [[Northern Ireland]], as well as a [[Civil parishes in Ireland|civil parish]]. It is the [[ecclesiastical capital]] of Ireland&nbsp;– the seat of the [[Archbishops of Armagh]], the [[Primacy of Ireland|Primates of All Ireland]] for both the [[Catholic Church in Ireland|Roman Catholic Church]] and the [[Church of Ireland]]. In ancient times, nearby [[Navan Fort]] ({{lang|ga|Eamhain Mhacha}}) was a [[Celtic polytheism|pagan]] ceremonial site and one of the great [[Royal sites of Ireland|royal capitals]] of [[Gaelic Ireland]]. Today, Armagh is home to two cathedrals (both named after [[Saint Patrick]]) and the [[Armagh Observatory]], and is known for its [[Georgian architecture]].

Statistically classed as a [[List of towns and villages in Northern Ireland|medium-sized town]] by [[NISRA]],<ref name="NISRA">{{cite web |title= Settlement Information on Armagh City |url= http://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/public/AreaProfileReportViewer.aspx?FromAPAddressMulipleRecords=Armagh%20City@Partial%20match%20of%20location%20name:%20@Partial%20Match%20Of%20Location%20Name:%20%20Armagh%20City@16? |publisher= Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Information Service |access-date= 20 February 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304081702/http://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/public/AreaProfileReportViewer.aspx?FromAPAddressMulipleRecords=Armagh%20City%40Partial%20match%20of%20location%20name%3A%20%40Partial%20Match%20Of%20Location%20Name%3A%20%20Armagh%20City%4016%3F |archive-date= 4 March 2016 |url-status= live }}</ref> Armagh was given [[City status in Ireland|city status]] in 1994 and [[List of lord mayoralties and lord provostships in the United Kingdom|Lord Mayoralty]] status in 2012. It had a population of 16,310 people in the [[2021 United Kingdom census|2021 Census]].<ref name="2021 pop"/>

==History==
[[File:The Cathedral Church of Armagh, 1832 (IA jstor-30002643) (page 1 crop).jpg|thumb|[[St. Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh (Church of Ireland)]], in 1832, built on the site of the original church]]
[[File:I love her cathedral and city (27198346843).jpg|thumb|250px|Scotch Street, {{Circa|1900}}]]

===Foundation===
[[Navan Fort|''Eamhain Mhacha'']] (or Navan Fort), at the western edge of Armagh, was an ancient [[Celtic polytheism|pagan]] ritual or ceremonial site. According to [[Irish mythology]] it was one of the great [[Royal sites of Ireland|royal sites]] of [[Gaelic Ireland]] and the capital of [[Ulster]]. It appears to have been largely abandoned after the 1st century. In the 3rd century, a [[Henge|ditch and bank]] was dug around the top of Cathedral Hill, the heart of what is now Armagh. Its circular shape matches the modern street layout. Evidence suggests that it was a pagan sanctuary and the successor to Navan.<ref>Koch, John T. ''Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia''. ABC-CLIO, 2006. p.80</ref> Like Navan, it too was named after the [[goddess]] [[Macha]]: ''Ard Mhacha'', meaning "Macha's height". This name was later [[anglicised]] as ''Ardmagh'',<ref name="PDI">[http://www.logainm.ie/2742.aspx Placenames Database of Ireland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523182225/http://www.logainm.ie/2742.aspx |date=23 May 2012 }} (see archival records)</ref><ref>Hill, George. ''The Fall of Irish Chiefs and Clans: The Conquest of Ireland''. Irish Roots Cafe, 2004. p.114. {{ISBN|978-0940134423}}</ref> which eventually became ''Armagh''. Navan and Armagh were linked by an ancient road which passes over Mullacreevie hill.<ref>Lynn, Chris. ''Navan Fort: Archaeology and Myth''. Wordwell, 2003. p.88</ref>

After [[Christianity]] [[Christianity in Ireland|spread to Ireland]], the pagan sanctuary was converted into a Christian one, and Armagh became the site of an important church and [[monastery]]. According to tradition, [[Saint Patrick]] founded his main church there in the year 445, and it eventually became the head church of Ireland. [[Muirchú moccu Machtheni|Muirchú]] writes that a pagan chieftain named [[Dáire]] would not let Patrick build a church on the hill of Ard Mhacha, but instead gave him lower ground to the east. One day, Dáire's horses died after grazing on the church land. He told his men to kill Patrick, but was himself struck down with illness. They begged Patrick to heal him, and Patrick's holy water revived both Dáire and his horses. Dáire rewarded Patrick with a great bronze cauldron and gave him the hill of Ard Mhacha to build a church. Dáire has similarities with the Irish god [[the Dagda]].<ref>Ó hÓgáin, Dáithí. ''Myth, Legend & Romance: An encyclopaedia of the Irish folk tradition''. Prentice Hall Press, 1991. pp.357-358</ref>

===Medieval era===
By the 7th century, Armagh had become the site of the most important church, monastery and [[monastic school]] in the north of Ireland.<ref name="duffy">Duffy, Seán. ''Medieval Ireland: An Encyclopedia''. Routledge, 2005. pp.48-50</ref> The ''[[Book of Armagh]]'' was produced in the monastery in the early 9th century and contains some of the oldest surviving specimens of [[Old Irish]].

Armagh was at the heart of the kingdom of the Airthir, a part of the [[Airgíalla]] federation. The church at Armagh looked to both the Airthir and neighbouring [[Uí Néill]] for patronage.<ref name="duffy"/> The Uí Néill [[High King of Ireland|High King]], [[Niall Caille]] (Niall of the Callan), was buried at Armagh in 846 after drowning in the River Callan. His son, High King [[Áed Findliath]], had a house at Armagh.<ref name="duffy"/>

The first [[Viking]] raids on Armagh were recorded in 832, with three in one month,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Roesdahl |first1=Else |title=The Vikings |date=2016 |publisher=Penguin Books |isbn=978-0-141-98476-6 |page=233 |edition=Third}}</ref> and it suffered at least ten Viking raids over the following century. A hoard seemingly lost by Vikings in the River Blackwater shows the high quality of metalwork being made in Armagh at this time.<ref name="duffy"/>

[[Brian Boru]], [[High King of Ireland]], visited Armagh in 1004, acknowledging it as the head church of Ireland and bestowing it a large sum of gold. Brian was buried at Armagh cathedral after his death at the [[Battle of Clontarf]] in 1014.<ref>Llywelyn, Morgan. ''1014: Brian Boru & the Battle for Ireland''. Courier Dover, 2020. pp.97, 240</ref> Armagh's claim to being the head church of Ireland was formally acknowledged at the [[Synod of Ráth Breasail]] in 1111.<ref name="duffy"/> The 1171 Council of Armagh freed all Englishmen and women who were [[Slavery in Ireland|enslaved in Ireland]].<ref name="sourcebooks.fordham.edu">{{Cite web |title=Internet History Sourcebooks Project |url=https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/1171latrsale.asp |website=sourcebooks.fordham.edu}}</ref>

Following the [[Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland]], Armagh was attacked by Anglo-Normans led by Philip de Worcester in 1185 and by [[John de Courcy]] in 1189.<ref>{{Cite book|author1=DeBreffny, Brian |author2=Mott, George | year=1976 |title=The Churches and Abbeys of Ireland | publisher=[[Thames & Hudson]] | location=London | pages=60–61}}</ref> It was also raided by Ruaidrí mac Duinn Sléibe of [[Ulaid]] in 1196 and 1199.<ref>Smith, Brendan. ''Colonisation and Conquest in Medieval Ireland: The English in Louth, 1170-1330''. Cambridge University Press, 1999. p.62</ref>

Archbishop [[Máel Patraic Ua Scannail]] rebuilt Armagh cathedral in 1268 and founded a [[Franciscans|Franciscan]] friary, whose remains can still be seen. There was also a small [[Culdee]] community in Armagh until the 16th century.<ref name="duffy"/>

===Early modern era===
[[File:The City of Armagh, view of College-street, taken from the road leading to the Observatory, 1835 (IA jstor-30004374) (page 1 crop).jpg|thumb|250px|A view of College Street in 1835, from the ''[[Dublin Penny Journal]]'']]
During the 16th century [[Tudor conquest of Ireland]], Armagh suffered greatly in the conflict between the English and the [[O'Neill dynasty|O'Neills]]. Armagh was strategically important as it lay between the [[English Pale]] and the O'Neill heartland of [[Tír Eoghain|Tyrone]], and the town changed hands many times during the wars.<ref name="quinn">Quinn, Kevin. [http://www.history-armagh.org/dox/210420110872.pdf "The Lost Castle of Armagh"]. ''History Armagh''.</ref> In the 1560s, English troops under [[Thomas Radclyffe, 3rd Earl of Sussex|Thomas Radclyffe]] occupied and fortified the town, which was then attacked and largely destroyed by [[Shane O'Neill (Irish chieftain)|Shane O'Neill]]. After the [[Battle of the Yellow Ford]] in 1598, the [[rout]]ed English army took refuge at Armagh before surrendering to [[Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone|Hugh O'Neill]].<ref name="quinn"/> By the end of the [[Nine Years' War (Ireland)|Nine Years' War]], Armagh lay in ruins, as shown on Richard Bartlett's 1601 map.<ref name="duffy"/>

Following the Nine Years' War, Armagh came under English dominance and the cathedral came under the control of the Protestant [[Church of Ireland]]. The cathedral was rebuilt under Archbishop [[Christopher Hampton (bishop)|Christopher Hampton]] and the town began to be settled by Protestants from Britain, as part of the [[Plantation of Ulster]]. During the [[Irish Rebellion of 1641]], many British settlers fled to Armagh cathedral for safety. After negotiations with the besieged settlers, Catholic rebels under [[Felim O'Neill of Kinard|Felim O'Neill]] occupied the town. In May 1642, following several rebel defeats and massacres by settlers elsewhere, the rebels in Armagh seized the settlers' property and set fire to the town.<ref>Annaleigh Margey, Eamon Darcy, Elaine Murphy (editors). ''The 1641 Depositions and the Irish Rebellion''. Routledge, 2015. p.92</ref>

===Modern era===
[[File:Armagh geograph-3773981-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg|thumb|250px|Armagh from the Newry Road, 1960]]
The [[Armagh Borough (Parliament of Ireland constituency)|parliamentary borough of Armagh]] was a two-seat constituency in the [[Irish House of Commons]] prior to 1801. It continued as a [[Armagh City (UK Parliament constituency)|one-seat constituency]] in the [[United Kingdom House of Commons]] from 1801 to 1885. It had a municipal corporation which was abolished under the [[Municipal Corporations (Ireland) Act 1840]].

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 [[The Royal School, Armagh|Royal School]] in 1608, St Patrick's College in 1834 and the [[Armagh Observatory]] in 1790. The Observatory was part of [[Archbishop of Armagh (Church of Ireland)|Archbishop]] [[Richard Robinson, 1st Baron Rokeby|Lord Rokeby]]'s plan to have a university 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 [[Catch-my-Pal]] Protestant Total Abstinence Union was founded in 1909 in Armagh by the minister of 3rd Armagh (now The Mall) Presbyterian Church, Rev. Robert Patterson.  Although relatively short-lived it was very successful for that time, attracting many tens of thousands of members. It was influential in the development of a "two-community" narrative in Ulster which was important in the Ulster Unionist campaign during the [[Home Rule crisis]]. A [[blue plaque]] historical marker commemorating Rev. Patterson was erected on The Mall in 2019.

Three brothers from Armagh died at the [[Battle of the Somme]] during [[World War I]]. None of the three has a known grave and all are commemorated on the [[Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme]]. A fourth brother was wounded in the same attack.

On 14 January 1921, during the [[Irish War of Independence]], a [[Royal Irish Constabulary]] (RIC) sergeant was assassinated by the [[Irish Republican Army]] (IRA) in Armagh. He was attacked with a [[grenade]] as he walked along Market Street and later died of his wounds.<ref>[http://www.dcu.ie/~foxs/irhist/january_1921.htm Dublin City University] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609122959/http://www.dcu.ie/~foxs/irhist/january_1921.htm |date=9 June 2012 }}. Chronology of Irish History 1919&nbsp;– 1923: January 1921</ref> On 4 September 1921, [[Irish republicanism|republican]] leaders [[Michael Collins (Irish leader)|Michael Collins]] and [[Eoin O'Duffy]] addressed a large meeting in Armagh, which was attended by up to 10,000 people.<ref>[http://www.dcu.ie/~foxs/irhist/september_1921.htm Dublin City University] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612023607/http://www.dcu.ie/~foxs/irhist/september_1921.htm |date=12 June 2011 }}. Chronology of Irish History 1919&nbsp;– 1923: September 1921</ref>

[[File:Armagh Library and open air market - geograph.org.uk - 647704.jpg|thumb|250px|Open-air market on Market Street]]

During [[the Troubles in Armagh]], the violence was substantial enough for a stretch of road on the outskirts of the city to be referred to as "[[Murder mile|Murder Mile]]".<ref name="Blanche">{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-01-06-mn-6869-story.html | title=Irish Police Face Peril of 'Murder Mile' | work=[[Los Angeles Times]] | date=6 January 1985 | access-date=20 February 2016 | author=Blanche, Ed | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807054935/http://articles.latimes.com/1985-01-06/news/mn-6869_1_patrol-car | archive-date=7 August 2011 | url-status=live }}</ref> Over the span of 36 years, although mainly concentrated in the years from 1969 until 1994, the small city, including some outlying areas, saw 86 deaths in the Troubles, including those of a number of people from the city who died elsewhere in Troubles-related incidents. Armagh City Hall, which had been built as the Tontine Buildings in 1828<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dia.ie/works/view/57428/building/CO.+ARMAGH%2C+ARMAGH%2C+TONTINE+BUILDINGS|title= Tontine Buildings|publisher=Dictionary of Irish Architects|access-date=5 June 2021}}</ref> and converted into a municipal building in 1910,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dia.ie/works/view/3325/building/CO.+ARMAGH%2C+ARMAGH%2C+TOWN+HALL|title=Armagh Town Hall| publisher=Dictionary of Irish Architects|access-date=5 June 2021}}</ref> was badly damaged in a bomb attack on 27 September 1972<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.northernslant.com/northern-lens-troubled-times-in-my-home-town/armagh12-armagh-city-hall-after-a-bomb-explosion-on-wednesday-september-27-1972/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604232944/https://www.northernslant.com/northern-lens-troubled-times-in-my-home-town/armagh12-armagh-city-hall-after-a-bomb-explosion-on-wednesday-september-27-1972/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=4 June 2021|title=Armagh City Hall after a bomb explosion on Wednesday September 27, 1972|date=15 August 2017 |publisher=Northern Slant|access-date=5 June 2021}}</ref> and subsequently demolished.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Astronomy & Geophysics|volume=45|date=1 February 2004|pages=1.18–1.22|doi=10.1046/j.1468-4004.2003.45118.x|title=A modern vision: Eric Lindsay at Armagh|first=John|last=McFarland|doi-access=free}}</ref>

==City status==
{{see also|City status in the United Kingdom#Ireland and Northern Ireland|City status in Ireland|List of smallest cities in the United Kingdom}}
As the seat of the [[Primate of All Ireland]], Armagh was historically regarded as a [[City status in the United Kingdom|city]], and recognisably had the status by 1226.<ref name="beckett134">Beckett 2005, [https://books.google.com/books?id=jqqSSOyjBEoC&pg=PA134 p.134] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507171445/https://books.google.com/books?id=jqqSSOyjBEoC&pg=PA134 |date=7 May 2016 }}</ref> It had no charter granted but claimed the title by [[Custom (law)|prescription]], and was later formerly chartered as a borough in 1613 under [[James VI and I|James I]];<ref>{{Cite web |last=GENUKI |title=Genuki: City and parish of Armagh - from Lewis' Topographical Dictionary of Ireland 1837, Armagh |url=https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/irl/ARM/Armagh/ArmaghLewis1837 |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=www.genuki.org.uk |language=en}}</ref> Acts of the [[Parliament of Ireland]] in 1773 and 1791 refer to the "City of Armagh".<ref>[http://www.qub.ac.uk/ild/?func=display_bill&id=3048 13 & 14 George III c.40] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106055210/http://www.qub.ac.uk/ild/?func=display_bill&id=3048 |date=6 January 2019 }} and [http://www.qub.ac.uk/ild/?func=display_bill&id=2306 31 George III c.46]</ref> Armagh lost the status with the abolition of its city corporation by the [[Municipal Corporations (Ireland) Act 1840]] after it was deemed ineffective and unrepresentative of its population. From 1953, Armagh began to argue for the restoration of the status lost in 1840,<ref name="beckett133">Beckett 2005, [https://books.google.com/books?id=jqqSSOyjBEoC&pg=PA133 p.133] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160522084534/https://books.google.com/books?id=jqqSSOyjBEoC&pg=PA133 |date=22 May 2016 }}</ref> with several applications to the Home Office being made.<ref name=beckettstudy>{{cite journal |last1=Beckett |first1=John |title=Inventing and reinventing the modern city: the 2012 city status competition in the United Kingdom |journal=Urban History |volume=41 |issue=4 |pages=705–720 |language=en |doi=10.1017/S0963926813001053 |date=2014|doi-access=free }}</ref>

The council used the appellation "city" unofficially until 1994 when, at Queen Elizabeth's personal request,<ref name="beckettstudy" /> Armagh along with the Welsh town of [[St Davids]] was awarded the status. [[Charles, Prince of Wales]] during a visit in July 1994 announced it had been granted to mark the 1,550th anniversary of the traditional date of Armagh's foundation by Saint Patrick,<ref name="beckett134" /> and also "in recognition of [Armagh's and St Davids'] important Christian heritage and their status as cities in the last century".<ref name="Beckett">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jqqSSOyjBEoC&pg=PA22 |title=City status in the British Isles, 1830–2002 |first=J. V. |last=Beckett |author-link=J. C. Beckett |page=133|publisher=Ashgate Publishing, Ltd |year=2005 |access-date=5 January 2018|isbn=9780754650676 }}</ref>

The award of city status is typically granted to a [[Local government in Northern Ireland|local authority]] body, and the [[City status in the United Kingdom#City status conferment|letters patent]] was initially presented to dignitaries and [[Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972#District councils|Armagh District Council]] by Queen Elizabeth during a visit on 9 March 1995.<ref>{{cite news |title=1995: Queen marks peace in Belfast |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/march/9/newsid_2516000/2516659.stm |date=9 March 1995 |access-date=5 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080307053937/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/march/9/newsid_2516000/2516659.stm |archive-date=7 March 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> Following this, it was renamed Armagh City and District Council from 1 October 1995.<ref>Change of District Name (Armagh) Order (Northern Ireland) 1995. "This order changes the name of the local government district of Armagh... to Armagh City and District from 1st October 1995".{{London Gazette |issue=5656 |date=15 September 1995 |page=804 |city=b }}</ref> [[Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council]] presently holds the status on behalf of the city as there is no localised council body since the aforementioned districts were merged in 2015 as a result of [[#Governance|local government reform]]. Armagh contains the lowest population of all the cities of Northern Ireland, and is sixth physically smallest in the UK. Its urban area covering {{convert|3.97|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}}, makes it the smallest city by size in Northern Ireland, however several other cities are smaller when the UK is taken as a whole.

==Notable buildings==
[[File:ArmaghCICathedral.jpg|right|thumb|250px|[[St. Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh (Church of Ireland)]]]]
[[File:Armagh, St Patricks RC cathedral.jpg|right|thumb|250px|[[St. Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh (Roman Catholic)]]]]
Armagh is the site of two cathedrals, both on hills and both named after [[Saint Patrick]]. The [[St. Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh (Church of Ireland)|Church of Ireland cathedral]] dates back to around 445. The present-day, post-Reformation, [[St. Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh (Roman Catholic)|Roman Catholic cathedral]] was constructed during the latter half of the 19th century and features twin {{cvt|64|m}} [[spire]]s, making it the tallest such structure in the county. Armagh is one of the few cities in the world that is home to two cathedrals of the same name.

Armagh has a [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]] area of heritage importance. Perhaps one of the more well known of the buildings is the former women's prison.<ref name="ThreeGoals">Kerr, Robert: ''Three Gaols: Images of Crumlin Road, Long Kesh and Armagh Prisons'', MSF Press, 2011, {{ISBN|978-0-9568069-0-1}}</ref> The construction of [[Armagh (HM Prison)|Armagh Gaol]] began in 1780 and was extended in the 1840s and 1850s. The front façade of the prison was built in the Georgian style, while the later development, based on the design of [[Pentonville prison|Pentonville (HM Prison)]], is Victorian.<ref name="ThreeGoals"/> For most of its working life it was a women's prison although not exclusively so.  Armagh Gaol was the primary women's prison in Northern Ireland.  In 1986 the prison closed and its prisoners were transferred to the new prison at [[Maghaberry (HM Prison)|Maghaberry]].<ref name="ThreeGoals"/>

The city is home to the [[Armagh Observatory]], founded in 1790, and to the [[Armagh Planetarium]], established in 1968 to complement the research work of the Observatory. The palace of the Archbishop of Armagh is now the local council offices and, along with the archbishop's private chapel, is open to the public. The Palace Stables heritage centre is a reconstructed [[stable]] block dating from the 18th century, which was once part of the Archbishop's estate.

Among the city's chief glories is Armagh Public Library on Abbey Street. It was founded in 1771 by [[Richard Robinson, 1st Baron Rokeby|Archbishop Richard Robinson]] (later created the first [[Baron Rokeby]] in 1777), using his own library as its nucleus.<ref name="Rascal">{{cite web | url=http://www.rascal.ac.uk/collection/76?list=3 | title=Armagh Public Library Collection | publisher=RASCAL | access-date=20 February 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302003034/http://www.rascal.ac.uk/collection/76?list=3 | archive-date=2 March 2016 | url-status=dead }}</ref> It is especially rich in 17th- and 18th-century books in English, 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.

[[Armagh County Museum]] is the oldest county museum in Ireland.<ref name="Art Fund">{{cite web | url=http://www.artfund.org/what-to-see/museums-and-galleries/armagh-county-museum | title=Armagh County Museum | publisher=[[The Art Fund]] | work=Museums and galleries | access-date=20 February 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151202032453/http://www.artfund.org/what-to-see/museums-and-galleries/armagh-county-museum | archive-date=2 December 2015 | url-status=live }}</ref> The building dates from 1833 and was originally a school house. It was opened as the [https://web.archive.org/web/20130502092124/http://www.nmni.com/acm County Museum] in 1937.

{{Gallery
|title=
|align=center
|File:ArmaghPrison.jpg|[[Armagh (HM Prison)|Armagh Prison]]
|File:Market House, Armagh (03), November 2009.JPG|Market House
|File:Armagh Public Library (01), November 2009.JPG|Armagh Public Library
|File:Courthouse, Armagh - geograph.org.uk - 494998.jpg|Courthouse
|File:Armagh County Museum.jpg|[[Armagh County Museum]]
|File:Armagh Planetarium - geograph.org.uk - 535048.jpg|[[Armagh Planetarium]]
|File:Looking across The Mall, Armagh - geograph.org.uk - 623780.jpg|[[The Mall, Armagh|The Mall]], looking toward the First Presbyterian Church and Gospel Hall
|File:The Bishops Palace, Armagh (geograph 4989821).jpg|[[Archbishop's Palace, Armagh|Archbishop's Palace]]
}}

==Townlands==
[[File:Armagh-townlands.jpg|thumb|250px|Armagh showing townlands

{{Legend-line|2px solid orange|Corporation townland}}
{{Legend-line|2px dashed black|Other townlands}}{{legend|#DFDFDF|Built-up area|outline=#606060}}
{{legend|#F1EFEB|Countryside|outline=#606060}}
{{legend|#D0EFD0|Greenfield land|outline=#606060}}

]]
Armagh is within the civil parish of Armagh. Like the rest of Ireland, this parish is divided into [[townland]]s, whose names mostly come from the Irish language. When these townlands were built upon, they lent their names to various streets, roads and housing estates. 
In 1830, most of Armagh's urban townlands were amalgamated for administration and became known as Corporation Lands or simply Corporation.<ref name="Place-Name">{{cite web | url=http://www.ulsterplacenames.org/illustrations_of_townlands_in_maps.htm | title=Illustrations of Townlands in Maps | publisher=Ulster Place-Name Society | work=Celebrating Ulster's Townlands | access-date=28 November 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303174205/http://www.ulsterplacenames.org/illustrations_of_townlands_in_maps.htm | archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status = dead}}</ref> The surrounding townlands remained as separate units and they were eventually built upon too. They are listed below alongside their likely [[etymology|etymologies]].<ref name="PDI"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.placenamesni.org/|title=Place Names NI – Home|access-date=5 September 2020}}</ref>

*Aghamoat ({{etymology|ga|Achadh Mochta|Mochta's field}})
*Ballynahone More (from ''Baile na hAbhann'', "townland of the river")
*Cargagh (from ''Cairgeach'', "rocky land")
*Cavanacaw (from ''Cabhán an Chatha'', "hollow of the battle" or ''Cabhán na Cáithe'', "hollow of the [[chaff]]")
*Drumadd (formerly Drumadokeenan, from ''Dromad Uí Chianáin'', "O'Keenan's ridge")
*Drumarg (from ''Droim Mairge'', "ridge of the boundary")
*Drumman More (from ''Dromann'', "the ridge")
*Killuney (from ''Cill Liamhna'', "Liamhain's church")
*Legarhill or Mullaghcreevie (from ''Mullach Craoibhe'', "hilltop of the branch"; ''legar'' is from an old English word for a military camp)
*Longstone (named after a [[standing stone]])
*Lurgyvallen (from ''Lorga Uí Mhealláin'', "O'Mallon's long low ridge")
*Mullynure (from ''Mullach an Iúir'', "hilltop of the yew")&nbsp;– part of Grange parish
*Parkmore (from ''Páirc Mhór'', "great field")
*Tullyelmer (originally Tullyelmaine, possibly from ''Tulaigh Alúine'', "hillock of the yellow clay")
*Umgola (from ''Iomghuala'', "hill-shoulder")

Some of the former townlands included:
*Doonullagh (possibly from ''Dún Ulaidhe'', "fort of the tomb")<ref name="corporation">[http://www.placenamesni.org/resultdetails.php?entry=17837 Corporation]. Place Names NI.</ref>
*Drumbreda (from ''Droim Brighde'', "Brigid's hill")<ref name="Oates">Oates, Gerry. [http://www.history-armagh.org/dox/210420111090.pdf "Origins of some Armagh place-names"]. ''History Armagh'', Spring 2007.</ref>
*Knockadrain (from ''Cnoc an Droighin'', "blackthorn hill") – site of the Catholic cathedral<ref>Ó hÁdhmaill, Pádraig. "Gravestone Inscriptions in Sandy Hill Graveyard, Armagh City". ''Seanchas Ardmhacha: Journal of the Armagh Diocesan Historical Society'', Vol. 11, No. 2 (1985). p.395</ref>
*Knockamell (from ''Cnoc Uí Ághmaill'', "O'Hamill's hill") – site of the Observatory<ref name="Oates"/> 
*Knockenboy (from ''Cnocán Buidhe'', "yellow hillock")<ref name="corporation"/>
*Lisanally (formerly Liosconalia, from ''Lios Chon Allaidh'' meaning "fort of the wolf"; "Cú Allaidh's fort")<ref name="Oates"/>
*Tullynalecky (from ''Tulaigh na Leice'', "flagstone hill") – site of St Patrick's Catholic graveyard<ref>Warner, Richard. "The Armagh Pagan Statues". ''Ulster Journal of Archaeology'', Third Series, Vol. 72 (2013/2014). pp. 55-69</ref>
*Templebreed (from ''Teampall Brighde'', "Brigid's chapel")
*Templefertagh (from ''Teampall Fearta'', "chapel of the graves or miracles")
*Tullyasnagh<ref name="corporation"/>

==Demography==
{{bar box
|title = National Identity of Armagh residents (2021)
|titlebar=#ddd |left1=Nationality |right1=Per cent |float=right
|bars =
{{bar percent|Irish|DarkOrchid|47.9}}
{{bar percent|Northern Irish|grey|24.1}}
{{bar percent|British|Blue|20.2}}
}}

===2021 Census===
On Census day (21 March 2021) there were 16,310 people living in Armagh.<ref name="2021 pop">{{cite web |title=Religion or religion brought up in |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=RELIGION_BELONG_TO_OR_BROUGHT_UP_IN_DVO&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000051 |website=NISRA |access-date=15 August 2023}}</ref> Of these:
* 22.36% were aged under 16, 62.11% were aged between 16 and 65, and 15.52% were aged 66 or over.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Preview data for your table {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=AGE_BAND_AGG3&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000051 |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}}</ref>
* 51.91% of the usually resident population were female and 48.09% were male.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Preview data for Sex (MS-A07) {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=UR_SEX&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000051 |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}}</ref>
* 67.3% (10,977) belong to or were brought up Catholic, 23.76% (3,875) belong to or were brought up 'Protestant and Other Christian (including Christian related)', 1.35% belong to other religions and 7.59% have no religious background.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Preview data for Religion or religion brought up in (MS-B23) {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=RELIGION_BELONG_TO_OR_BROUGHT_UP_IN_DVO&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000051 |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}}</ref>
* 47.93% had an Irish national identity,<ref>{{cite web |title=National Identity (Irish) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_IRISH_AGG3&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000051 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref> 20.17% indicated that they had a British national identity,<ref>{{cite web |title=National Identity (British) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_BRITISH&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000051 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref> 24.08% had a Northern Irish national identity,<ref>{{cite web |title=National Identity (Northern Irish) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_NORTHERN_IRISH_AGG3&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000051 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref> and 16.27% had an 'other' national identity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Preview data for National identity (person based) - basic detail (classification 1) (MS-B15) {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_BASIC&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000051 |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}}</ref> (respondents could indicate more than one national identity).
* 21.67% had some knowledge of [[Irish language|Irish]] (Gaeilge) and 5.35% had some knowledge of [[Ulster Scots dialect|Ulster Scots]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Preview data for Knowledge of Irish (MS-B05) {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=IRISH_SKILLS_INTERMEDIATE&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000051 |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Preview data for Knowledge of Ulster-Scots (MS-B08) {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=ULSTER_SCOTS_SKILLS_INTERMEDIATE&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000051 |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}}</ref>

===2011 Census===
On Census day (27 March 2011) there were 14,777 people living in Armagh (5871 households), accounting for 0.82% of the NI total,<ref name=Census2011>{{cite web | url = http://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/public/AreaProfileReportViewer.aspx?FromAPAddressMulipleRecords=Armagh@Exact%20match%20of%20location%20name:%20@Exact%20Match%20Of%20Location%20Name:%20%20Armagh@23? | title = Census 2011 Population Statistics for Armagh Settlement | publisher = [[Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency]] (NISRA) | access-date = 15 April 2019}} [[File:Open Government Licence logo.svg|30px]] This article contains quotations from this source, which is available under the [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/  Open Government Licence v3.0]. © Crown copyright.</ref> representing an increase of 1.3% on the Census 2001 population of 14,590.<ref name=Census2001>{{cite web | url = https://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/public/PivotGrid.aspx?ds=4840&lh=69&yn=2001&sk=135&sn=Census%202001&yearfilter=2001 | title = Census 2001 Usually Resident Population: KS01 (Settlements) - Table view | page = 1 | publisher = [[Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency]] (NISRA) | access-date = 10 August 2019}}</ref> Of these:
* 20.90% were aged under 16 years and 15.44% were aged 65 and over.
* 52.52% of the usually resident population were female and 47.48% were male.
* 68.85% belong to or were brought up in the Catholic Christian faith and 26.95% belong to or were brought up in a 'Protestant and Other Christian (including Christian related)' religion.
* 44.39% had an Irish national identity, 27.18% indicated that they had a British national identity and 26.43% had a Northern Irish national identity (respondents could indicate more than one national identity).
* 37 years was the average (median) age of the population;
* 18.76% had some knowledge of Irish (Gaeilge) and 4.08% had some knowledge of Ulster-Scots.

==Governance==
[[Armagh City and District Council]] was a single district council until 2015 when it merged with [[Banbridge District Council]] and [[Craigavon Borough Council]] under local government reorganisation in Northern Ireland to become [[Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council]], sometimes colloquially referred to as the ABC council.

Armagh is part of the [[Newry and Armagh (Assembly constituency)|Newry and Armagh Assembly constituency]].

Together with part of the district of [[Newry and Mourne]], it forms the [[Newry and Armagh (UK Parliament constituency)|Newry & Armagh constituency]] for elections to the [[Westminster Parliament]] and [[Northern Ireland Assembly]].

==Administration==
[[File:Charlemont Place, Armagh - geograph.org.uk - 720902.jpg|thumb|250px|Former houses on Charlemont Place, beside The Mall, now occupied by Education Authority (Southern)]]

The [[Education Authority|Education Authority (Southern)]] and the Southern Health and Social Care Trust<ref>{{cite web|title=Southern Health and Social Care Trust|url=http://www.southerntrust.hscni.net|access-date=14 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014130213/http://www.southerntrust.hscni.net/|archive-date=14 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> have their headquarters in the city, which has a long reputation as an administrative centre.

The secretariat of the [[North/South Ministerial Council]] is based in Armagh, and consists jointly of members of the civil services of both Northern Ireland and the [[Republic of Ireland]].

Armagh is the seat of both the [[Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh]] and the [[Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh]], both of whom hold the position of ''[[Primate of All Ireland]]'' for their respective denominations.

==Education==

===Primary===
*Armstrong Primary School
*Christian Brothers Primary School Armagh
*The Drelincourt Primary School
*Dromintee Primary School
*Drumhillery Primary School
*Mount St Catherine's Primary School
*[[The Royal School, Armagh|The Royal School]] Preparatory School
*Saints and Scholars Integrated Primary School
*St. Malachy's Primary School
*St. Patrick's Primary School

===Post-primary===
* [[City of Armagh High School]]
* [[St. Catherine's College, Armagh]]
* [[St. Patrick's Grammar School, Armagh]]
* [[The Royal School, Armagh]]
* [[Southern Regional College]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.src.ac.uk/|title=Welcome to Southern Regional College – Further and Higher Education|access-date=20 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722174530/https://www.src.ac.uk/|archive-date=22 July 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Transport==
The [[Ulster Railway]] linked Armagh with [[Belfast Great Victoria Street railway station|Belfast]] in 1848 and [[Monaghan]] in 1858.<ref name=Hajducki8>{{cite book |last=Hajducki |first=S. Maxwell |year=1974 |title=A Railway Atlas of Ireland |location=Newton Abbott |publisher=[[David & Charles]] |isbn=0-7153-5167-2 |at=map 8}}</ref> The [[Newry and Armagh Railway]] (N&A) opened in 1864 and the [[Castleblayney, Keady and Armagh Railway]] (CK&A) was completed in 1910.<ref name=Hajducki8/> In 1876 the Ulster Railway became part of the new [[Great Northern Railway (Ireland)|Great Northern Railway]] (GNR), which took over the N&A in 1879 and the CK&A in 1911.<ref>Hajducki, ''op. cit.'', page xiii</ref>

The [[Armagh rail disaster]], which killed 80 people, occurred on 12 June 1889 on the N&A line near Armagh.<ref>{{cite book |last=McCutcheon |first=Alan |series=Railway History in Pictures |title=Ireland |volume=1 |year=1969 |location=Newton Abbott |publisher=[[David & Charles]] |isbn=0-7153-4651-2 |pages=104, 105}}</ref><ref name="Adair">{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27806226 | title=Armagh train disaster remembered 125 years on | work=[[BBC News]] | date=12 June 2014 | access-date=2 November 2014 | author=Adair, Gordon | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140615145850/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27806226 | archive-date=15 June 2014 | url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[partition of Ireland]] in 1922 hastened the railways' decline, and the GNR closed the [[Keady railway station|Keady]]&nbsp;– [[Castleblayney railway station|Castleblayney]] section of the CKA in 1923.<ref name=Hajducki39>Hajducki, ''op. cit.'', map 39</ref> The GNR withdrew passenger trains from the Armagh&nbsp;– Keady section of the CKA in 1922 and closed the Armagh&nbsp;– [[Markethill]] section of the N&A in 1933.<ref name=Hajducki39/> The [[Government of Northern Ireland]] forced the GNR Board to close all remaining lines serving [[Armagh railway station]] on 1 October 1957: the goods branch from Armagh to Keady and the main line through Armagh from {{rws|Portadown}} as far as the border at [[Glaslough]] on the way to Monaghan.<ref name=Hajducki39/><ref>{{cite book |last=Baker |first=Michael H. C. |year=1972 |title=Irish Railways since 1916 |location=London |publisher=[[Ian Allan Publishing|Ian Allan]] |isbn=0-7110-0282-7 |pages=153, 207}}</ref>

Today Armagh is the only city in Ireland that is not served by rail, however Portadown is the nearest station. [[NI Railways]] train services run from Portadown to [[Belfast Grand Central station|Belfast Grand Central]] and the cross-border [[Enterprise (train service)|Enterprise]] service runs via [[Newry railway station|Newry]] to [[Dublin Connolly]]. [[Poyntzpass railway station|Poyntzpass]] also has a limited service.

When he was Minister for the [[Department for Regional Development]], then MLA [[Danny Kennedy (politician)|Danny Kennedy]] had indicated plans to restore the railway from [[Armagh railway station|Armagh station]] to Portadown.<ref name="Kennedy">{{cite news | url=http://www.portadowntimes.co.uk/news/local-news/kennedy-has-rail-hopes-for-armagh-line-restoration-1-5364856 | title=Kennedy has rail hopes for Armagh line restoration | work=[[Portadown Times]] | date=10 August 2013 | access-date=24 August 2014}}</ref>

==Sport==
[[File:Cricket on the Mall, Armagh - geograph.org.uk - 589172.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Armagh's [[The Mall, Armagh|Mall]] is home to the [[Armagh Cricket Club]], and has also staged international matches.]]
[[Armagh City F.C.|Armagh City Football Club]], which plays in the [[NIFL Championship]] is the main association football club, and the [[City of Armagh RFC|City of Armagh Rugby Club]] is the local rugby club. [[Lisanally Rangers F.C.]] is another football team, playing in the [[Mid-Ulster Football League]].

[[Gaelic football]] is represented by [[Armagh Harps GFC|Armagh Harps]] and [[Pearse Óg]]s. The local [[Gaelic Athletic Association|GAA]] handball club is Eugene Quinn's, named after a player from the Armagh area who died on an attempted swim from [[Tory Island]] to mainland [[County Donegal]]. The local [[hurling]] club is Armagh Cúchulainns.

In 2004, the [[Royal School, Armagh]] became only the second team in history to win both the schools' [[rugby union|rugby]] and [[field hockey|hockey]] cups in the same year.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

[[The Mall, Armagh|The Mall]] in Armagh has a long association with [[cricket]], and is the location of the [[Armagh Cricket Club]] clubhouse.<ref name="historyPamphlet">{{citation | title = 125 years of Cricket in the Primatial City: Armagh Cricket Club 1859-1984 | place = Armagh | date = 1984 | editor-last = Duffy | editor-first = S.S. | url = https://www.irishcricketlibrary.org/PUBLICATIONS/CLUBS/ARMAGH/125thAnniversary.pdf | publisher = Armagh Cricket Club }}</ref><ref name="weir2018">{{cite journal | url = https://www.history-armagh.org/dox/historyarmagh2018.pdf | journal = History Armagh | title = Armagh Cricket Club| publisher = Armagh History Group | first = Brian | last = Weir | pages = 31–33 | volume = 4 | issue = 2 | issn = 1743-565X | date = December 2018 }}</ref>

Armagh Athletics Club, which was founded in 1969, organises the annual Armagh International [[5k run|5k Road Race]].{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} The race was first organised in 1980.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

==Notable people==
Only people who are sufficiently notable to have individual entries on Wikipedia have been included in the list and, in each instance, their birth or residence has been verified by citations.
* [[Tom Boyd (golfer)|Tom Boyd]], Irish professional golfer, was born in Armagh in 1888<ref name="Golf">{{Cite web |url=http://www.irishgolfarchive.com/Events/Ireland's%20Teardrop.htm |title=Ireland's Teardrop – the Last of the Auld Country |website=Irish Golf Archive |access-date=14 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140828221026/http://www.irishgolfarchive.com/Events/Ireland%27s%20Teardrop.htm |archive-date=28 August 2014 |url-status = dead}}</ref>
* [[Daragh Carville]], playwright and screenwriter, whose works include ''[[Cherrybomb (film)|Cherrybomb]]'', was born in Armagh in 1969<ref name="McDonald">{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/apr/26/northern-ireland-modern-cinema-art | title=Writer wants an end to 'balaclava drama' | work=[[The Guardian]] | date=26 April 2009 | access-date=15 February 2015 | author=McDonald, Henry | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215135807/http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/apr/26/northern-ireland-modern-cinema-art | archive-date=15 February 2015 | url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[David Cunningham (musician)|David Cunningham]] (born 1954), musician<ref name="Grove">{{cite journal | url=http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0002061636 | title=Cunningham, David }}</ref>
* [[Moses Harvey]], clergyman and naturalist, famous for studies of the [[giant squid]], was born in Armagh in 1820<ref name="Aldrich">{{cite DCB |url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/harvey_moses_13E.html |title=Harvey, Moses |volume=XIII |last=Aldrich|first=F.A.}}</ref>
*[[John Lennox]] (born 1943), [[mathematician]] who grew up in Armagh and attended [[The Royal School, Armagh|the Royal School]]. He specialises in [[group theory]], is a [[philosopher of science]] and a [[Christian apologist]]<ref>{{Cite news|title=God is a person not a theory|url=https://www.thetimes.com/comment/register/article/god-is-a-person-not-a-theory-v9xrkcc7lbt|last=Billen|first=Andrew|work=[[The Times]]|date=17 November 2010|access-date = 5 January 2020}}</ref>
* [[Patrick Magee (actor)|Patrick Magee]], actor and director known for his collaborations with [[Samuel Beckett]] and [[Harold Pinter]], was born in Armagh in 1922<ref name="Pattie2000">{{cite book|author=Pattie, David|title=The Complete Critical Guide to Samuel Beckett|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J8Jd4iMXsJ4C&pg=PA38|year=2000|publisher=Psychology Press|isbn=978-0-415-20253-4|pages=38–|access-date=16 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617145114/https://books.google.com/books?id=J8Jd4iMXsJ4C&pg=PA38|archive-date=17 June 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Saint Malachy]] of Armagh was born there in 1094<ref name=grattan>{{cite encyclopedia|url= http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09565a.htm|author= Grattan-Flood, William|title= St. Malachy|encyclopedia= [[Catholic Encyclopedia]]|volume= 9|location= New York|publisher= Robert Appleton Company|date= 1910|access-date= 25 May 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120303111525/http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09565a.htm|archive-date= 3 March 2012|url-status= live|author-link= W. H. Grattan Flood}}</ref>
* [[Seamus McGarvey]], [[Academy Award]]-nominated cinematographer (''[[Atonement (2007 film)|Atonement]]'', ''[[Anna Karenina (2012 film)|Anna Karenina]]''), was born in Armagh in 1967<ref name="IFTN">{{cite web | url=http://iftn.hostireland.com/production/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4281152&tpl=archnews&force=1 | title=Cinematographer Seamus McGarvey Public Interview | publisher=[[Irish Film and Television Network]] | date=28 April 2008 | access-date=15 February 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215150633/http://iftn.hostireland.com/production/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4281152&tpl=archnews&force=1 | archive-date=15 February 2015 |url-status = dead}}</ref>
* [[Colin Morgan]], actor, known for playing the lead role in ''[[Merlin (TV series)|Merlin]]'',<ref name="McCaughan">{{cite web | url=http://www.culturenorthernireland.org/features/film/colin-morgan-parks-belfast | title=Colin Morgan Parks Up in Belfast | publisher=Culture Northern Ireland | work=Film | date=14 November 2011 | access-date=9 February 2016 | author=McCaughan, Peter}}</ref> was born in Armagh in 1986<ref name="Merlin Intro">{{cite web|title=Merlin: a new 13-part drama series on BBC One|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/09_september/01/merlin4.shtml|publisher=BBC|access-date=1 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080922134240/http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/09_september/01/merlin4.shtml|archive-date=22 September 2008|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Ian Paisley]], politician, founder of the [[Democratic Unionist Party]] and [[First Minister of Northern Ireland]], was born in Armagh in 1926<ref name="McCrystal">{{cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/paisley-a-blast-from-the-past-if-any-one-man-can-claim-to-have-been-the-voice-of-the-troubles-it-is-ian-paisley-turbulent-preacher-and-hellfire-politician-but-if-peace-comes-to-northern-ireland-it-could-spell-extinction-for-his-personal-brand-of-fundamentalism-1449538.html | title=Paisley: A blast from the past?... | work=[[The Independent]] | date=18 September 1994 | access-date=15 February 2015 | author=McCrystal, Cal | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215135952/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/paisley-a-blast-from-the-past-if-any-one-man-can-claim-to-have-been-the-voice-of-the-troubles-it-is-ian-paisley-turbulent-preacher-and-hellfire-politician-but-if-peace-comes-to-northern-ireland-it-could-spell-extinction-for-his-personal-brand-of-fundamentalism-1449538.html | archive-date=15 February 2015 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Thomas Romney Robinson]] (1792–1882), astronomer, lived in Armagh<ref name="Robinson">{{Cite web |url=http://www.arm.ac.uk/history/moore/Appendix.html |title=Directors of Armagh Observatory |access-date=5 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716120131/http://www.arm.ac.uk/history/moore/Appendix.html |archive-date=16 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Christopher Vokes]], Major General, was born in Armagh in 1904<ref name="Vokes">{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/christopher-vokes |title=Christopher Vokes |encyclopedia=[[The Canadian Encyclopaedia]] |date=13 December 2016 |access-date=14 February 2017 |last1=Morton|first1=Desmond|last2=Foot|first2=Richard|edition=online|publisher=[[Historica Canada]]}}</ref>
* [[William Whitford]] (1846 – 1930), physician and temperance reformer<ref>{{cite web|title=Football historian Peter Lupson sheds light on 1892 Liverpool and Everton rent row|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/everton-fc/everton-fc-news/2009/11/12/football-historian-peter-lupson-sheds-light-on-1892-liverpool-and-everton-rent-row-100252-25148996/|publisher=Liverpool Echo|access-date=1 April 2011|date=12 November 2009}}</ref>
* [[Charles Wood (composer)|Charles Wood]], composer, was born in Armagh in 1866<ref>{{acad|id=WT888C|name=Wood, Charles}}</ref>

==Climate==
Armagh has a [[maritime climate|temperate maritime climate]] (''Cfb'') according to the [[Köppen climate classification]] system. The nearest [[Met Office]] standard weather station, at Armagh Observatory, provides long term weather data back to 1794.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-39564125|title=Armagh Observatory eyes automation move|work=BBC News |date=12 April 2017 |access-date=15 July 2021
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://climate.arm.ac.uk/calibrated/airtemp/tccmax1844-2004|title=Daily Maximum Temperatures|access-date=22 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402193851/http://climate.arm.ac.uk/calibrated/airtemp/tccmax1844-2004|archive-date=2 April 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The lowest temperature was {{convert|-15.0|C|F}} on 7 February 1895. This is also the coldest temperature on record for February in Northern Ireland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://climate.arm.ac.uk/calibrated/airtemp/tccmin1844-2004|title=Daily Minimum Temperatures|access-date=22 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402193939/http://climate.arm.ac.uk/calibrated/airtemp/tccmin1844-2004|archive-date=2 April 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="MetOfficeExtremes">{{cite web | title = UK climate extremes | url = https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-extremes | publisher = [[Met Office]] | access-date = 21 May 2020}}</ref>
Armagh also holds the record for highest daily minimum temperature in Northern Ireland, at {{convert|20.6|C|F}} on 31 July 1868.<ref name="MetOfficeExtremes"/> The lowest daily maximum temperature on record is {{Convert|-8.0|C|F}} which occurred on 20 December 2010.<ref>{{cite web | title = DÉCEMBRE 2010 À ARMAGH | url = http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/index.php?page=relev&station=237&mois=12&annee=2010 | publisher = Météo-climat | access-date = 18 February 2021}}</ref>	

{{Weather box|location = Armagh, elevation: {{convert|42|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1844–present
| collapsed    = 
| metric first = y
| single line  = y
| Jan record high C = 15.7
| Feb record high C = 17.1
| Mar record high C = 21.8
| Apr record high C = 22.6
| May record high C = 26.2
| Jun record high C = 30.4
| Jul record high C = 31.4
| Aug record high C = 29.4
| Sep record high C = 27.6
| Oct record high C = 22.7
| Nov record high C = 16.8
| Dec record high C = 16.6
| year record high C = 31.4
| Jan high C = 7.8
| Feb high C = 8.6
| Mar high C = 10.4
| Apr high C = 13.0
| May high C = 15.8
| Jun high C = 18.2
| Jul high C = 19.7
| Aug high C = 19.4
| Sep high C = 17.3
| Oct high C = 13.7
| Nov high C = 10.3
| Dec high C = 8.0
| year high C = 13.6
| Jan mean C = 5.0
| Feb mean C = 5.3
| Mar mean C = 6.7
| Apr mean C = 8.8
| May mean C = 11.4
| Jun mean C = 14.0
| Jul mean C = 15.7
| Aug mean C = 15.5
| Sep mean C = 13.5
| Oct mean C = 10.3
| Nov mean C = 7.3
| Dec mean C = 5.2
| year mean C = 9.9
| Jan low C = 2.2
| Feb low C = 2.0
| Mar low C = 3.1
| Apr low C = 4.6
| May low C = 7.0
| Jun low C = 9.9
| Jul low C = 11.8
| Aug low C = 11.6
| Sep low C = 9.7
| Oct low C = 7.0
| Nov low C = 4.3
| Dec low C = 2.4
| year low C = 6.3
| Jan record low C = -14.3
| Feb record low C = -15.0
| Mar record low C = -12.4
| Apr record low C = -7.1
| May record low C = -2.3
| Jun record low C = 0.8
| Jul record low C = 0.0
| Aug record low C = 2.3
| Sep record low C = -0.6
| Oct record low C = -5.6
| Nov record low C = -8.3
| Dec record low C = -14.6
| year record low C = -15.0
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 72.7
| Feb precipitation mm = 58.8
| Mar precipitation mm = 59.7
| Apr precipitation mm = 55.7
| May precipitation mm = 58.0
| Jun precipitation mm = 62.8
| Jul precipitation mm = 69.3
| Aug precipitation mm = 78.2
| Sep precipitation mm = 65.1
| Oct precipitation mm = 81.0
| Nov precipitation mm = 81.8
| Dec precipitation mm = 81.0
| year precipitation mm = 823.9
| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 14.0
| Feb precipitation days = 12.2
| Mar precipitation days = 12.1
| Apr precipitation days = 11.5
| May precipitation days = 12.0
| Jun precipitation days = 11.6
| Jul precipitation days = 12.5
| Aug precipitation days = 13.0
| Sep precipitation days = 11.2
| Oct precipitation days = 12.8
| Nov precipitation days = 14.3
| Dec precipitation days = 14.3
| year precipitation days = 151.4
| Jan sun = 47.4
| Feb sun = 70.8
| Mar sun = 101.5
| Apr sun = 149.6
| May sun = 179.3
| Jun sun = 144.8
| Jul sun = 134.7
| Aug sun = 140.2
| Sep sun = 114.2
| Oct sun = 92.2
| Nov sun = 61.6
| Dec sun = 42.9
| year sun = 1279.2
| source 1 = [[Met Office]]<ref name="Met Averages">{{cite web |url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages/gcem0tkwp|title=Station: Armagh, 1991-2010 |access-date=30 April 2024|publisher=Met Office}}</ref>
| source 2 = [[Armagh Observatory|AOMD]]<ref>{{cite web
| url =http://climate.armagh.ac.uk/calibrated/airtemp/index.html| title = Armagh Air Temperature Data| access-date =14 March 2019| publisher = [[Armagh Observatory]]}}</ref> Belfast Telegraph (July record high)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/armagh-hotter-than-spain-asnisrecord-temperature-broken-for-thirdtime-in-a-week-40682228.html#:~:text=A%20triple%2Drecord%20breaking%20week,Cathedral%20City%20at%203.20pm.|title=Armagh hotter than Spain as NI's record temperature broken for third time in a week|newspaper=Belfast Telegraph |date=23 July 2021 |access-date=9 January 2022 }}</ref>

}}

==Annalistic references==
[[File:ArmaghFranciscanFriary (2).JPG|thumb|right|250px|The remains of Armagh's Franciscan friary]]
See [[Annals of Inisfallen]] (AI)

* ''AI715.2 Flann.Febla, [[abbot]] of Ard Macha, rested.''
* ''AI729.1 [[Calendar|Kl]]. Repose of Suibne, abbot of Ard Macha.''
* ''AI750.1 Kl. Repose of Congus, abbot of Ard Macha.''
* ''AI768.3 Repose of Feradach son of Suibne, abbot of Ard Macha.''
* ''AI772.2 Suibne, abbot of Ard Macha, [rested].''
* ''AI791.1 Kl. Cú Dínisc son of Cú Ásaig, abbot of Ard Macha, rested.''
* ''AI793.1 Dub dá Leithe, abbot of Ard Macha, rested.''
* ''AI794.1 Kl. Airechtach, abbot of Ard Macha, [rested].''
* ''AI795.3 Repose of Faendledach Bec, abbot of Ard Macha.''
* ''AI807.1 Kl. Connmach son of Dub dá Leithe, abbot of Ard Macha, rested.''
* ''AI808.1 Kl. Taicthech grandson of Tigernán, [[lector]] of Ard Macha, rested.''
* ''AI834.1 Kl. Eógan, bishop of Ard Macha, rested.''
* ''AI845.2 Forannán, abbot of Ard Macha, was carried off by the [[Vikings|heathens]] from Cluain Comarda, and the shrine of Pátraic was broken and carried off by them.''
* ''AI846.1 Kl. [[Niall Caille|Niall son of Aed]], [[Kingship of Tara|king of Temuir]], was drowned in the [[Callan River|Calann]], i.e. a river beside Ard Macha.''
* ''AI852.2 Forannan and [[Diarmait ua Tigernáin|Diarmait]], abbots of Ard Macha, fell asleep.''
* ''AI852.2 Repose of Cathasach, abbot of Ard Macha.''
* ''AI874.1 Kl. The third [[feria]] [Tuesday], ninth of the moon. Féthgna, abbot of Ard Macha, rested in Christ.''
* ''AI883.2 Repose of Cathasach, abbot of Ard Macha.''
* ''AI888.3 Repose of Mael Coba son of Crunnmael, abbot of Ard Macha.''
* ''AI893.1 First after [[Bissextile]]. Kl. Repose of Mochta, bishop of Ard Macha.''
* ''AI924.2 Muiredach son of Domnall, abbot of Mainister Búiti and tanist-abbot of Ard Macha, rested.''
* ''AI927.1 Kl. Repose of Mael Brigte son of Tornán, abbot of Ard Macha and abbot of [[Iona|Í]] Coluim Chille.''
* ''AI936.1 Kl. Repose of Ioseph, abbot of Ard Macha; and Mael Pátraic succeeded him in the abbacy.''
* ''AI966.2 Repose of Muiredach son of Fergus, abbot of Ard Macha.''
* ''AI973.3 Dub dá Leithe, [[coarb]] of Patrick, came to [[Munster|Mumu]] and made his visitation; and he and the coarb of [[Ailbe]] quarrelled regarding the levy, and [[Mathgamain mac Cennétig|Mathgamain]], king of Mumu, made peace between them, and they agreed upon the perpetual right of [the coarb of] Patrick.''
* ''AI996.4 Ard Macha was set on fire by lightning, which did not leave unburnt a steeple therein, nor a house, nor the house of an elder inside the fort.''
* ''AI996.5 Dub dá Leithe, coarb of Ard Macha (or, of Patrick) and coarb of Colum Cille, rested in Christ.''
* ''AI1001.2 Muirecán, abbot of Ard Macha, was expelled from his abbot's seat, and Mael Maire took the abbacy instead.''
* ''AI1005.5 Repose of [[Eochaid ua Flannacáin]], historian of Ard Macha.''
* ''AI1020.3 Mael Muire son of Eochaid, coarb of Patrick, rested in Christ.''
* ''AI1020.4 Ard Macha was burned, both stone-church and bellhouse, and all the buildings.''
* ''AI1026.3 The coarb of Patrick, accompanied by his venerable clerics, and Donnchadh son of Gilla Pátraic, king of [[Osraige]], [were] in the house of Donnchad, son of [[Brian Boru|Brian]], at Cenn Corad at Eastertide.''
* ''AI1029.8 [[Flaithbertach Ua Néill]], on his pilgrimage to Ard Macha.''

==See also==
*''[[Book of Armagh]]''
*[[List of localities in Northern Ireland by population]]
*[[Market houses in Northern Ireland]]
*[[List of archaeological sites in County Armagh]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Armagh}}
*[http://www.armagh.co.uk/ Visit Armagh]
*[http://www.armaghcity.com Online Guide to Armagh City]
{{Wikivoyage|Armagh}}
{{IrishCities}}
{{UK cities}}
{{County Armagh}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:457 establishments]]
[[Category:Armagh (city)| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Civil parishes of County Armagh]]
[[Category:County towns in Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Georgian architecture in Ireland]]
[[Category:Georgian architecture in the United Kingdom]]