Bring back the students! How could Armagh be best served going forward?

Also.. sadness befalls Keady community following death of Tiarnan Fullerton

Mar 14

Armagh is the oldest city in the country. We are revered as the Ecclesiastical Capital of Ireland, the city of saint and scholars. We are home to the oldest known library in the country - Robinson Library - and our architecture reflects our Georgian past. The magnificent spires of St. Patrick's Church of Ireland and Catholic Cathedrals dominate our skyline with St Patrick himself declaring Armagh the home of Christianity more than 15 centuries ago – in 445AD.

And following his death in 1014, Brain Boru’s (the former High King of Ireland) remains were brought to Armagh to be buried, with his tomb said to be in the north wall of St Patrick's Cathedral.

Armagh is steeped in history and culture but surely more can be done to elevate that status. A UK City of Culture bid fell short but as a city – albeit a small one – are we being overlooked by those outside this wonderful county? There are many who extol the virtues of Armagh from within – and plenty outside too – but could more be done to better serve Armagh’s future as a flourishing city?

We are still without the youth hostel our tourist office at St Patrick’s Trian remains closed, however, council said it was “in the process of assessing potential interim uses for the facility” and that it was also “investigating various options for the Tourist Office and Trian complex”.

But is there more that can be wrung from Armagh’s rich tapestry. There are plans in the offing for an exciting new science park and while it has gone a little quiet on plans for a world class leisure village, there remains some hope that could materialise.

Of course, a return of university students would give the city another dimension altogether – a game-changer perhaps. But what appetite is there for that? Fixing the infrastructure might be a start (ahem, link roads and/or return of the railway). What’s it they say; build it and they will come? Let us know your thoughts. Leave a comment below.

Related issues of this newsletter: What if Armagh Gaol was to be flattened to make way for free car park?

In the headlines

Community in shock following sudden death of young Keady man

Tiarnan Fullerton was a much-loved son and brother and a valued friend to all who knew him.

Huge plans for Royal School Armagh with new Prep Department and 6th Form Centre

Staffing challenges ‘symptom of outdated model’ as Trust attempt to stabilise General Surgery service

Lawyers acting for two people charged in connection with the murder of toddler Ali-Jayden Doyle, have expressed serious concerns after the committal date to transfer to crown court was delayed yet again.

The owner of a brand new burrito shop opening in Portadown has told of how she took the plunge despite having no culinary background. Pico Burrito opened yesterday (Monday) in Portadown town centre.

Occupant of Bessbrook house targeted in petrol bomb attack raced to douse flames

A young South Armagh beef farmer, who is also a well-known traditional Irish singer, is featuring in a new RTÉ farming series. Piaras Ó Lorcáin, who is 19, lives about a mile from Crossmaglen, on land his family has farmed for 400 years.

A Co Armagh man has appeared in court accused of repeatedly raping his wife and sexually assaulting his sister-in-law.

Despite the barely eligible and skeletal remains of a sign which should be pointing people in the direction of Oxford Island, there are no plans to repair it.

The UK’s first female rapist was handed a four year sentence on Friday after she admitted having sex with a sleeping man. Judge Patrick Lynch KC ordered 41-year-old Tanya Lord, from Lurgan, to serve two years in jail and two under supervised licence conditions

A Tandragee man who, when arrested, branded police officers “black b******s” before singing UVF songs, has been jailed.

Michael in tractor run for cancer unit in memory of much-loved wife Joan

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