Architectural

Below find a list of suggested itineraries which you can follow at your own leisure. These routes will take you through South Armagh and further afield.

Architectural (Half Day Visit (AM or PM))

SOUTH ARMAGH - (Assume passing Dublin to Belfast or Belfast to Dublin)

• 2.00pm Arrive at Bessbrook Village for walking tour with local guides.
• 3.00pm Derrymore House (In season) - or by arrangement.
• 4.20pm Afternoon tea at Genie Mac's in Camlough village.
• Reverse for Dublin - Belfast

Armagh City Tour

Aim: To absorb the ancient site of St. Patrick foundation and the 'improvements' of Archbishop Robinson.

• 2.00pm Visit the Armagh County Museum to get your bearings.
• 3.30pm Visit the Church of Ireland Cathedral.
• 4.15pm Visit the Roman Catholic Cathedral and absorb the atmosphere.
• 5.30pm Go to the Mall created by Archbishop Robinson.

Monaghan

• 2.00pm Visit the tourist information centre at the Market House. Then on to the Monaghan County Museum, in a fine 18th century house. Monaghan County Museum is located in a pair of town houses just above the 1792 Market House.
• 3.30pm Visit the Roman Catholic Cathedral, Monaghan, a very fine 19th century building.
• 4.00pm Walking tour, including a visit to the Rossmore memorial etc, with tea afterwards in a fine 19th century courthouse

Architectural (1 Day Itinerary)

South Armagh & Monaghan

• 9.30am Castleblayney to see Hope Castle (early 19th century)
• 11.00am Depart for Creggan 'An Creagan' meaning the rocky place, is a little hamlet surrounding the picturesque Creggan Parish Church and Graveyard which is home to the famous O'Neill Family Vault, and adjacent Poets' Glen and river. Tours can be catered for, at pre-arranged times.
• 2.00pm Killevy Old Churches, Meigh, and onward to visit St. Brigid's Church, Glassdrumman. An 18th century house that became a church and crossed the border.
• 3.00pm Visit Bessbrook village. Onward to Derrymore House. A charming thatched house, built as a summer residence for Isaac Cory, local MP.

Armagh City & Environs

• 9.30am Armagh County Museum and the Mall.
• 10.30am Planetarium and the Royal School (exteriors).
• 12.00pm The Palace Stables.
• 1.00pm Lunch in Armagh
• 2.00pm The Archbishop's Chapel
• 2.30pm Church of Ireland Cathedral.
• 3.30pm Visit the Roman Catholic Cathedral to absorb the atmosphere.

Monaghan - Armagh (or vice-versa)

• 9.30am Monaghan Tourist Information Centre in the fine 18th century Market Hall.
• 10.00am Visit the Roman Catholic Cathedral, Monaghan, one of the earliest post-famine.
• 10.45am Stop for a wander and tea/coffee in the town centre - Courthouse, fine churches and Rossmore memorial.
• 11.15am Depart for Armagh (17 miles)
• 11.45am Arriving in Armagh visit the Mall and Armagh County Museum to learn about the history of Armagh.
• 12.30pm Lunch in Armagh
• 1.45pm Visit the Roman Catholic Cathedral for an introductory talk and time to get acquainted with the building.
• 2.45pm Visit the Church of Ireland Cathedral for a guided tour.
• 3.45pm Afternoon tea/coffee and tour of Palace Stables to hear of Archbishop Robinson's improvements. Also, a visit to Archbishop's Chapel and heritage centre.
• 4.30pm Depart Armagh

Architectural (2 Day Itinerary)

From South East to North West
DAY 1

• 10.00am Killevy Old Churches, Meigh.
• 11.30am Bessbrook Village.
• 1.00pm Lunch in Ma Keraneys, Crossmaglen
• 2.30pm Depart for Creggan 'An Creagan' meaning the rocky place, is a little hamlet surrounding the picturesque Creggan Parish Church and Graveyard which is home to the famous O'Neill Family Vault, and adjacent Poets' Glen and river. Tours can be catered for at pre-arranged times.
• Arrive at St. Brigid's Church, Glassdrumman. An 18th century house that became a church and crossed the border.
• 4.30pm Overnight stay in one of numerous high quality B&B's in South Armagh with an evening of traditional music.

DAY 2

• 10.00am Armagh County Museum and the Mall.
• 11.00am Depart for Ardress House, Loughgall, with fine 18th century plasterwork. Originally built as a farmhouse in the 17th century, Ardress House was changed by additions to an elegant mansion in the 18th century.
• 12.00pm Depart for the Argory for lunch in the Tea-room
• 1.30pm Tour of the Argory, a complete 1824 house with mechanical organ and acetylene gas plant. After the tour, a walk around the estate.
• 3.00pm Church of Ireland Cathedral.
• 4.00pm Visit the Roman Catholic Cathedral.
• 5.00pm Depart for next destination via Charlemont Village, an planned 18th century village by Lord Charlemont.

South to North via South Armagh
DAY 1

• 10.00am Dundalk - a fine planned market town for walking tour and tea/coffee.
• 12.00am Depart for Bessbrook Village.
• 1.30pm Lunch in the Millvale, Bessbrook.
• 2.30pm Derrymore House (in season, or by arrangement).
• 3.30pm Depart for Creggan 'An Creagan' meaning the rocky place, is a little hamlet surrounding the picturesque Creggan Parish Church and Graveyard which is home to the famous O'Neill Family Vault, and adjacent Poets' Glen and river. Tours can be catered for at the Visitors Centre, at pre-arranged times.
• Arrive at St. Brigid's Church, Glassdrumman. An 18th century house that became a church and crossed the border.
• 5.00pm Tí Chulainn for overnight stay and an evening of traditional music.

DAY 2

• 9.30am Begin at Charlemont Village, a planned 18th century village by Lord Charlemont.
• 10.30am Depart for Ardress House, Loughgall, with fine 18th century plasterwork.
• 12.00pm Depart for lunch at The Argory Tea-room.
• 1.30pm Visit The Argory, a complete 1824 house with mechanical organ and acetylene gas plant, and walk around the estate.
• 2.30pm Depart for Armagh, and visit the Armagh Museum and Mall.
• 4.00pm Visit the Roman Catholic Cathedral.
• 5.00pm Visit the Church of Ireland Cathedral.