Armagh (Ard Mhacha in Irish) is a city in Northern Ireland, located in the county of the same name. This small, picturesque town is home to two cathedrals, one Catholic and the other Protestant, thus symbolizing the division of the city into two religious communities, whose longstanding conflicts led to more than 30 years of the Troubles during the 20th century…
History of Armagh
A City Developed by Saint Patrick in the Name of Christianity
Armagh is a city that established itself as an ecclesiastical capital as early as the 4th century. At that time, Saint Patrick is said to have founded the city’s main religious buildings, including a church, as well as a monastery for monks and nuns. He is subsequently said to have declared that only people who had received religious instruction in Armagh would be entitled to spread the Gospel.
From 839 to 869, the monastery of Armagh was plundered by the Vikings but managed to preserve valuable manuscripts, including the “Book of Armagh”, a 9th-century manuscript in Old Irish, now on display at Trinity College of Dubin.
The famous King Brian Boru (941–1014) is said to have been buried in the 11th century in the cemetery of the St. Patrick’s Church of Ireland cathedral.
Armagh Develops, Then Enters a Troubled Period
Over the centuries, the city of Armagh gradually developed, with new buildings appearing around the town centre. Armagh quickly became a highly renowned centre of education, offering quality courses in religious, scientific and literary subjects. In response to this success, Armagh established the Royal School in 1608, as well as an observatory in 1790.
During the 20th century, Armagh became the centre of particularly intense political tensions between the British and the Irish (Protestants and Catholics), who clashed in various extremely violent attacks and assassinations that caused many civilian deaths from 1969 to 1995)…
Today, the situation has become more peaceful thanks to the establishment of a peace process, helping to ease tensions between Catholics and Protestants… Nevertheless, at present, Armagh has a population that is 50% Protestant, compared with 48.7% Catholic…
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Tourist attractions
Restaurants et pubs irlandais
Hébergements partenaires
Campings et hébergements
