Holiday Rentals in Armagh: Nature, Culture and Historic Sites

Oxford Island lies on a peninsula on the southeastern shore of Lough Neagh. From this landscape to Armagh’s historic and cultural sites, the area encompasses a range of settings where nature, archaeology, churches and regional art stand side by side.

Nature

The Oxford Island National Nature Reserve comprises wet meadows, reed beds, woodland and waterside scrub. Five miles of footpaths lead through grassland to woods, ponds and the shore of Lough Neagh. At the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, audiovisual presentations, computers and interactive games explain the history and wildlife of Lough Neagh.

Gosford Forest Park contains 240 hectares of mixed woodland and open parkland. Paths and trails lead through the grounds for walking, cycling and horse riding; several miles of paths and trails also run to its historic attractions.

Culture

Armagh County Museum opened in 1937 as Ireland’s first county museum. It tells the story of Armagh through the stories of people who have lived and worked throughout the county. The art collection includes depictions of towns, villages and rural landscapes in County Armagh.

A church walking trail in Armagh leads to ten churches and is designed as an experience for local people and visitors. A Christian church has stood continuously on the site of Saint Patrick's COI Cathedral since a stone church was built there in AD 445. Guided tours include the crypt, which forms part of the 13th-century foundations.

Navan Fort (Emain Macha) is an ancient ceremonial site. The Navan Centre offers fully guided tours focusing on the archaeology and history of the great temple at Navan Fort (Emain Macha). There is also an audiovisual presentation about the myths and legends of the Ulster Cycle.

The Digital Full Dome Theatre at Armagh Planetarium offers tours of the night sky. Visitors to Armagh Planetarium can touch Ireland’s largest meteorite there.

Walking Routes

Palace Demesne covers around 300 acres of parkland in Armagh. The paths vary in length and difficulty and lead through back meadows and formal gardens. Armagh Astropark includes a further 14 acres of landscaped parkland.

The renovated Archbishop's Palace houses a collection of works by Armagh artist J.B. Vallely. The grounds of The Argory include a rose garden, pleasure grounds and riverside walks. The Argory offers guided tours about the MacGeough Bond family and the house’s collections. The Lime Tree Walk passes the oak plantation and returns to the house via the main drive.

Loughgall offers walking and cycling routes. Armagh is connected by direct bus services to many areas north and south of the border.

Flavours

Apple growing was widespread in County Armagh by at least the 12th century. The Bramley apple was introduced to County Armagh in 1884.

For more location pages, you can continue directly to: Armagh, Acton, Kilmore. More destination pages: Dungannon, Banbridge, Lisburn, Fermanagh, Ballymoney.

To the higher-level travel overview: Northern Ireland.