Armagh hotels

Hotels @ Armagh

Armagh is a small city in Northern Ireland famous for its two cathedrals and Georgian architecture. It sits at the centre of County Armagh, nicknamed the "Orchard County" after its apple-growing heritage, making it an obvious choice for exploring all that this region has to offer.

Thanks to its status as the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland, home to both the Church of Ireland and the Roman Catholic Church of Ireland, Armagh is well used to catering for large numbers of visitors and is able to offer a range of suitable accommodation, from large luxury hotels to homely guesthouses.

See Armagh's Historic Sites

No visit to Armagh is complete without visiting its two cathedrals, both named after St Patrick, the Irish patron saint, and both perched on hills overlooking the city centre. The elder of the two has origins dating back to the 5th century, while the younger catholic cathedral boasts two stunning spires. If you stay in the city centre, sandwiched between them, you could be lucky enough to get a view of one of these landmarks from your hotel window.

There are large hotels here that can cater for big groups and business travellers, with Armagh boasting the best conferencing facilities in Northern Ireland outside of the capital, Belfast. As well as these the city is dotted with delightful small bed and breakfasts, guesthouses and self-catering holiday cottages, meaning every type of visitor can find something to suit their needs.

Wherever you stay in Armagh you'll be within a short walk of all the major sites as the city is the smallest in Ireland and easily navigable on foot. Other attractions include Armagh Planetarium, Armagh County Museum, Armagh Public Library and the Palace of Demense.

Staying Around County Armagh

The city of Armagh is a major hub for the region and most hotels are located in and around the centre, but there is also accommodation spread out over the County Armagh area to take advantage of nearby scenic spots such as Fews Forest, seven miles south of the city, and Loughgall County Park, four miles north.

Plan Your Visit to Armagh

Because of Armagh's significance to Ireland's two biggest faiths the city can be busy during the major holidays of Christmas and Easter, as well as around St Patrick's Day in March, with many events planned at these times of year. You may want to book your hotel in Armagh to coincide with the special atmosphere that these festivities create, or you may want to avoid the crowds by visiting at a quieter time of year.

Other significant events in Armagh's calendar include the Brian Boru Festival, held each April to celebrate the 11th-century Irish king. In May you can meet some of Ireland's finest artists and trades people at the Armagh Craft Fair, and in June the Armagh County Agricultural Show is held at nearby Gosford Forest Park, about five miles south-west of the city, to celebrate the area's farming traditions.