County Armagh — The Orchard County (P3/P5)

County Armagh

1. 1 The Orchard County Called the Orchard County because of its extensive apple orchards — the largest concentration of apple growing in Ireland. Most striking in blossom time in late April and May.
2. 2 Armagh Bramley apples EU Protected Geographical Indication status (like Champagne). Bramleys are primarily cooking apples. Orchards in the ring of drumlins around Armagh city.
3. 3 Drumlin landscape South Armagh covered in drumlins — small oval hills of glacial deposit. Basket-of-eggs topography. Makes farming small-scale with a distinctive rolling character.
4. 4 Armagh City Ecclesiastical capital of Ireland. Two St Patrick's Cathedrals on adjacent hills — Catholic and Church of Ireland. Smallest city in NI. Population about 14,000.
5. 5 St Patrick's connection Patrick chose Armagh as the seat of the Irish church in the 5th century. Both cathedrals are built on his chosen hill. Spiritual centre for 1,500 years.
6. 6 Navan Fort (Emain Macha) Ancient royal site near Armagh. The legendary capital of Ulster. Associated with the Ulster Cycle and Cú Chulainn.
7. 7 Armagh Planetarium Leading science education centre. Observatory and Planetarium complex dates to the 18th century. One of the longest weather records in Ireland.