Get ready to fully dive into the Georgian history of Armagh through the buildings, characters and customs of the latter half of the 18th Century, with events taking place from 28th November – 1st December 2024.
Armagh Georgian Festival promises to be a weekend which brings the city’s Georgian history and stories to life, where you can uncover some of our city’s hidden gems and take part in a range of activities and experiences which are not only enjoyable, but interpret and explain the city’s Georgian roots.
What’s On
Georgian Day on Saturday 30th November is the highlight of the festival – a day rich in atmosphere where you can hear the clip clop of the horses’ hooves along the Mall, listen to musicians around the streets and smell the roasting chestnuts and mulled spices as you wander among the craft and food stalls throughout the city centre and on the picturesque setting of The Mall.
Make sure to look out for the Georgian characters – the Gentry, the urchins and the gin soaked ladies as they promenade through the city streets and the Mall. The tree lined Mall will have plenty of activities including Horse and Carriage Rides, Stalls, Children’s entertainment, with the ever popular Carousel, Music and Hot Chestnuts making a comeback.
Take in the Georgian architecture as the Gentry arrive into the city transported by horse and carriages on the Mall. The day will conclude with the spectacle of the Georgian light shows which transform the Market House, a beautiful Georgian building, into a shimmering canvas for images, special effects and other surprises!
The Hill of Armagh will play its role in welcoming visitors for Georgian Day as the Robinson Library and No 5 Vicars’ Hill, the former Registry, are open to the public welcoming visitors to step back in time.
See inside the Library, which was built in 1771 as a public library and is the oldest library in Northern Ireland, and the 1772 Registry, which holds precious documents and records and where you can learn about Wax Sealing. Or you can book at tour of the Armagh Observatory, a stunning Georgian building with a continuous history of astronomical research from its beginnings in 1790 to the present day. All these buildings were part of Archbishop Robinson’s legacy to Armagh.
Additional Information
Please note events take place from Thursday – Sunday. Many events require a ticket which must be booked in advance online. Please see website for full details, including tickets and pricing.
Whilst for many activities a fee is payable, there are many activities which are free of charge. Please see suggested itineraries on the Visit Armagh website website for more inspiration to create your perfect Georgian Day.
