Dan Winter's Cottage
Renowned as the birthplace of the Orange Order, Dan Winter’s cottage is situated in the Diamond townland outside Loughgall. It was there in 1795, after the Battle of the Diamond, that groups of Loyalists came together to form one group that would stand against the Defenders, the forerunners of the United Irishmen. The cottage has been restored and has a visitor’s centre attached as well as a tea room and car park.
Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh
Built on the site where St Patrick reputedly built a monastic settlement in 445AD, the Cathedral has undergone many alterations since then. With the Ulster Plantation, ownership moved from the Roman Catholic to the Anglican Church and has remained in their possession since. Among the notable people buried in the church is Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland who was killed in the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. The Seat of Armagh is still the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland in the Church of Ireland and the Roman Catholic Church.
Oxford Island
Oxford Island is a National Nature Reserve and public recreation site on the southern shores of Lough Neagh. Most of the 113 hectares is designated as a National Nature Reserve and the rest is used for recreation and education. The reserve has managed to retain rare breeds of flora and fish, such as the pollán, and ongoing efforts have almost eradicated invasive non-native plant species. There are also rare breeds such as the Dexter and Irish Moiled cattle on the reserve. There is a marina for 190 sheltered berths and camping and caravan facilities are also available.
Armagh Planetarium
Armagh Planetarium is the longest serving planetarium in the United Kingdom. Opened in 1968, it has undergone many alterations to keep up with the progress of technology and currently has a state of the art Digistar 3 fulldome video projection system. Shows in the Planetarium daily except Sunday and they also organise an outreach programme where their displays can be brought to off-site venues, particularly schools.
Gosford Forest Park
Previously known as Gosford Demesne, this estate was bought by the Northern Ireland Forestry Service. It comprises 240 hectares of mixed woodland and open pasture. There are numerous walking, orienteering, horse-riding and cycling tracks well signposted throughout the estate as well as herds of rare breeds, especially early breeds of poultry. In 1986, it was designated the first conservation forest in Northern Ireland. Camping and caravan facilities are available and children are well catered for in the park’s activities. The estate also holds Gosford Castle, built in the first half of the 19th century in the Norman revival style and is now Northern Ireland’s biggest Grade A Listed Building.
Navan Fort
It is no exaggeration to say that Navan Fort is one of the most important archaeological monuments in Ulster. Evidence has confirmed that it was inhabited from c4000BC and that it was being continuously developed until c331 when it was abandoned. It was the centre of the kings of Ulster and the Irish name, Emain Macha suggests that it was named after the goddess Macha. It was the site of a number of mythological events and characters, including Cú Chulainn, Conchubhair Mac Neasa and Deirdre. An interpretive centre has been built near the monument and it has won awards for its design and audio-visual display.
Kilnasaggart Stone
At Jonesborough, close to the border with County Louth and the Republic of Ireland, stands the Kilnasaggart Stone at almost 2m high, its Gaelic name 'Cill na Saggart', means the 'church of the priest'. It is known that it dates from the 8th century and is inscribed with many crosses and writing in the ancient Ogham script. It is reputed to be the earliest example of a Christian monument in Ireland. It is also claimed that it was in use as a pagan monument and that it was later taken over by Christian monks in the area.
