Armagh’s past shaping its future
An overview of the City and District’s unique offering.
Armagh is the oldest City in Ireland, developing as a settlement around what was the ancient pagan capital of Ulster, Emain Macha at Navan Fort. The City was created when Saint Patrick converted the local chieftain to Christianity. However, this significant place with such a rich heritage is constantly looking forward with a clear and ambitious long-term vision and strategic direction to deliver the best level of investment and services to improve the quality of life for our citizens.
Historically, Armagh’s role as a seat of administration has been a key contributor to the local economy. It’s stature comes from a genre of learning, leadership, thinking and inspiration. This has been cemented by the selection of the City as the headquarters for the North/South Ministerial Council Joint Secretariat. A joint venture with Armagh City and District Council delivered the regeneration of a key site in the historic centre of Armagh which now plays host to heads of government on a regular basis.
Ideally located as a natural strategic hub with convenient travelling distances from major cities and airports north and south, Armagh is a place which is accessible yet delightfully set apart from other major cities.
A city with civic significance
In recent articles in The Guardian, Tom Dyckhoff cites Armagh as a mini-Bath and well worth considering as a place to live, whilst BBC history presenter. Dan Cruickhank featured Armagh in his list of top historic towns in the UK.
The City and District was awarded Lord Mayoralty status this year by the Queen, beating stiff competition from 11 other UK cities, including Cambridge and Derby. This prestigious recognition demonstrates the high regard in which Armagh is held both locally and farther afield. Armagh now joins Belfast, Dublin and Cork as the only cities in Ireland to have a Lord Mayor as their first citizen. It is hoped that this honour can form part of the new council civic profile.
Investment
Armagh City and District Council is continuing to invest in the future for its residents and to continue attracting visitors. Recent achievements include the refurbished Shambles Market, environmental improvements throughout the City and District and investment in the Palace Park, further enhancing the repertoire of quality green spaces in the City. Plans are also well advanced for other heritage-led regeneration projects to ensure a sustainable and vibrant future for landmark buildings, such as Armagh Gaol and other important sites identified within the Armagh Masterplan.
Chief Executive John Briggs said: “The Council is in full agreement that we must protect our beautiful and historic buildings which add so much to our City and area. This requires significant investment and we have been fortunate that central government departments, funding bodies and private sector investors share our desire to enhance and protect our built environment have assisted greatly with our ambitious heritage-led regeneration agenda.”
Armagh Gaol
John Briggs adds: “We believe we have been imaginative in finding new and exciting uses for old buildings thus saving them for not only this generation but those to follow. There is no better example of this than Armagh Gaol where circa £8 million of private sector investment has already been secured demonstrating a real vote of confidence in Armagh’s future potential. This ambitious project to deliver a sustainable use for an important historic building, providing a four-star hotel as part of an extensive mixed use development, will act as a key economic driver for the entire area.”
Small City, big ambitions
But it’s not just buildings which mark out a place as significant. It is the quality of Armagh people: their skills, their culture, their traditions and the welcome they show visitors that set this place apart.
Armagh is full of surprises. It isn’t like any other place in Ireland. Both City and surroundings are brought to life with a year round programme of arts, literary, music and sporting events, enhancing all those special things that are uniquely Armagh.
That ancient history which Armagh holds so dear is soon to be celebrated in another major anniversary. 2014 will be one thousand years since the burial of Brian Boru at Saint Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral.
Armagh is a small, compact city. Thoughtful regeneration has created a high quality, cosmopolitan heart with a theatre, cinema, restaurants, coffee shops, cathedrals, museums, splendid Georgian buildings and a mix of independent and high street retail all within walking distance. An important indicator of success is that annual footfall is steadily increasing at a time when other urban centres are showing an average 4 per cent decrease year on year.
Like any other council, within Armagh City and District Council politics may differ, but when it comes to improving Armagh, saving Armagh or attracting visitors and investment to Armagh, there is unity of purpose. Partnerships are developed, relationships are nourished and obstacles are overcome by imaginative thinking.
The council looks forward to the contribution that this City and area can make with its civic, heritage and tourism potential to the new council post-2015 and for the benefit of the whole community.
Creative thinking has been part of Armagh since St Patrick chose it as the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland and a place of learning. Armagh remains and always will be a significant place.
For more information contct
Claire Shields, Communication Assistant
Email: claire.shields@armagh.gov.uk
Tel: 028 3752 9600
