Top 10 ten places to visit in Northern Ireland - Armagh
St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh
St Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral is built on the summit of the hill 'Drum Saileach, where St Patrick founded his first church in 445 AD. It commands a distinctive Armagh view across to the other hills and down over the clutter of gable walls and pitched roofing on its own slopes.
A series of churches occupied the site after 445 and, although the core of the present day one is medieval, a nineteenth century restoration has coated the thirteenth century outer walls in a sandstone plaster, and many of the ancient decorations were removed, leaving the Spartan interior you see today.
As you enter from the highly distinctive timber porch, you'll see a few remnants of an eleventh century Celtic Cross, and inside, high up, you should be able to see the medieval carved heads of men, women and monsters.
The chapterhouse has a small collection of stone statues, the most noticeable of which are the Stone Age Tandragee Idol and a Sheila-na-Gig with an ass's ears.
Brian Boru who drove the Norsemen out of Ireland in 1014 is buried in the churchyard and plaque near the spot is mounted in the exterior wall of the transept.
St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral Address:
St Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral
Cathedral Road
Armagh, BT61 7QX
Northern Ireland, UK
Armagh, BT61 7QX
Northern Ireland, UK
St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral Opening Times:
April to October, 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
November to March, 10.00 am to 4.00 pm
Conducted tours take place between 11.30am and 2.30pm, Monday to Saturday, June to August, or by arrangement with the Dean
St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral Admission:
Free
