A Short Escape to Armagh: History, Culture, and Warm Hospitality
Your weekend away begins late on a Friday afternoon, leaving behind the stress of the week. With the car packed, it’s time to set off on your journey to Armagh. Once you arrive, you’ll have a choice to make between two great accommodation options to host your weekend adventure.
Your first option is the peaceful Killeavy Castle Estate (4*). With two on-site restaurants, a thermal spa, and dog-friendly facilities, this estate offers everything you need to unwind and recharge. Surrounded by 365 acres of mixed farmland and woodland in the Slieve Gullion area, it’s the ideal setting for a quiet escape. Check-in starts at 3pm, but if you arrive early, you can leave your bags at reception and begin exploring the grounds. A walk through the estate or a gentle hike up Slieve Gullion is a perfect way to clear your head, especially during autumn when the forest is full of colour.
The second option is the Seagoe Hotel, located in the heart of Portadown. This four-star hotel is known for its popular bar and restaurant, both of which are favourites among locals. It’s also close to many of Armagh’s top attractions. If you arrive early enough, make time for a visit to the Robinson Library in Armagh city. Open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm, it’s a lovely place to begin your weekend, offering a quiet and unique insight into Armagh’s literary and cultural history.
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Friday Evening: Dinner and Drinks
After a relaxing afternoon, return to your hotel and enjoy an evening meal. At the Seagoe Hotel, the Courtyard Bar and Restaurant serves modern dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. If you're staying at Killeavy Castle Estate, the Gullion Restaurant offers an authentic farm-to-fork dining experience, featuring produce grown on the estate or sourced from nearby farms and fisheries. After dinner, unwind with a drink in the restaurant’s bar before heading to bed, ready for a full day of exploring tomorrow.
Saturday Morning: History and Brunch
Start your Saturday with breakfast at your hotel before setting off in your car for a morning at the Navan Centre and Fort. This site offers guided tours that bring the Iron Age to life, with stories, traditional crafts, and a look into the historical significance of the Navan Centre, with the option to take a guided tour your morning is guaranteed to be both adventurous and educational. The centre is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 4pm (October to March).
When you're ready for brunch, head to Brownlow House. The tea rooms are open from 10am to 3pm and offer a range of breakfast options, from hot meals to overnight oats. After eating, take a walk around the grounds or book a guided tour to explore the fascinating history of the house.
Saturday Afternoon: Science and Culture
Feeling refreshed, make your way to Armagh City. Visit both of its cathedrals, St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, with its twin spires dating back to 1840, and St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, founded on the Hill of Armagh in 445AD. Guided and self-guided tours are available at both locations. Tours at the Church of Ireland Cathedral run from Thursday to Saturday, 9am to 4pm during the October to March season.
While you're in the city, take time to visit Armagh County Museum. This museum captures the stories of the people who lived and worked in Armagh over the centuries, with displays covering local history, art, archaeology, and natural history. It’s free to enter and open on Saturdays from 10am to 4pm.
If time allows, consider visiting the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium. This is Ireland’s leading centre for astronomy, combining research with public education. While interior access to the Observatory is available through scheduled tours, you can still enjoy the grounds and the public exhibits at the Planetarium. It’s open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 5pm.
Saturday Evening: Dining Local
After a full day of exploring, end your evening at Keegan’s Bar and Restaurant. Known for hearty meals like lamb shank and battered cod, Keegan’s offers great food made with locally sourced produce at good prices. It’s a warm, family-run pub that’s open from 11:30am until late on Saturdays, and booking is recommended if you plan to dine. If you're in the mood for more atmosphere after dinner, make your way to the Hole in the Wall bar. Popular with locals and visitors alike, it’s the perfect place to enjoy live music and round off your stay with a bit of local charm.
After a final drink, your stay in Armagh comes to a close. Time to head home, feeling well-fed, relaxed, and full of great memories.
For more inspiration on your trip to Armagh, check out upcoming events in What's On in Armagh, and get inspiration to Plan Your Trip today!
Navan Centre, located just two miles from the Cathedral City of Armagh, interprets one of Ireland’s most important ancient monuments, Navan Fort; the ancient capital and seat of the Kings of Ulster.
Saint Patrick founded his chief church here on the Hill of Armagh in 445AD, and there has been a Christian church on the site ever since. The present building dates from the 13th Century and was last restored in 1834.
This imposing cathedral, on an elevated site, was started in 1840, but work was suspended during the Great Famine of 1845-48 and recommenced in 1854 when J. J. McCarthy was appointed architect. It was dedicated for worship in 1873.
Welcome To Killeavy Castle Estate. As the centrepiece of 365 acres of mixed farm and woodland in County Armagh’s stunning Slieve Gullion, Killeavy Castle Estate provides everything you need, to switch off, rest and recharge.
Slieve Gullion Forest Park is in the heart of the Ring of Gullion. The Ring of Gullion is a unique geological landform – unparalleled elsewhere in Ireland or the UK – and was the first ring dyke in the world to be geologically mapped. The ring of low, rugged hills forms a ‘rampart’ around the heather-clad Slieve Gullion.
Brownlow House is Located in the centre of Lurgan adjacent to Lurgan Public Park, a grade A listed building now open for viewing.
Armagh Observatory and Planetarium is “the place for space”. Watch an amazing Full Dome Theatre show and explore the Universe. Immerse yourself in the latest scientific research in the exhibition area and take a relaxing walk through the Astropark taking in our trails.
