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A professional "step-on" Guide for visiting Coaches to Armagh City and its County
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Easy Going Walking Tours of Armagh City
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Genealogy Site Tours
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Personal Car Tours
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City Ghost Tours
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Corporate Tours
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Off Shore Tours
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Itinerary Planning
As a local Guide born and bred in County Armagh I would love to share my knowledge with you and your group.
County Armagh is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland , situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland . Adjoined to the south shore of Lough Neagh it is also one of the thirty-two traditional counties of Ireland , lying within the historical Province of Ulster .
From its highest point at Slieve Gullion , in the south of the County, where it borders with County Louth, the land falls away from its rugged mountains to rolling drumlin country in the middle. Here it borders with County Monaghan and west of the county. Finally to the flatlands in the north where rolling flats and small hills reach sea level at Lough Neagh .
Allow me to step on board your Coach and take you into the heartland of County Armagh or combine your visit with an easy going Walking Tour of its Capital City of Armagh, its Plantation Towns and Villages or stroll out into its many scenic rural areas.
ARMAGH CITY
With Armagh City as its capital City you can explore this ancient City by coach or by foot. The history of Armagh City takes you back to the early pre-christian settlement on its hilltop and its close proximity to the archaeological site of the ancient Celts at Navan Fort. Its hilltop cathedral landmarks remind us of its worthy title as Ecclesiastical Capital of Ireland; granted after St Patrick's visit. Closeby to the City Irish history was made following the Battle of Yellow Ford in 1598.
NORTH WEST COUNTY ARMAGH
A short distance away North Armagh takes us over to visit the shores of Lough Neigh and into the plantation towns of Portadown and Lurgan. Many periods of history and religion are uncovered here as we discover the consequences of the Irish Civil War of 1641 in Portadown. In Lurgan town we follow the establishment of the first Quaker meeting in Ireland in 1654. While discovering the history of this northerly part of County Armagh we will catch the beauty of the apple orchards scattered around the rolling drumlins of the area. Early May provides us with a beautiful picture of the orchards in bloom while September is the start of the apple harvest season. Many orchards now stand on the landscape which echoes from The Battle of the Diamond 1795 where the first Orange Order of Ireland was formed.
SOUTH EAST COUNTY ARMAGH
Moving over to South Armagh reveals the border boundary of Northern Ireland with Co Louth in the Republic of Ireland. The Ring of Gullion, listed as an Area of Outstanding Beauty where a wealth of Neolithic sites dot the landscape - all standing alongside many early Christian settlements. Killnasaggart Stone - Ireland's oldest marked stone is well worth a visit.
South Armagh has been well documented during "The Troubles" of Northern Ireland and a visit around its many rural villages and rolling landscape will reveal an area steeped in traditional Irish culture and traditions.
NEWRY CITY
Newry City, with its summit canal, castle and steeples is a City with an eclectic mix of history. As a defensive town sitting on the edge of "The Pale" Newry successfully combines a colourful past with and a modern present appearance.