Area Guide For Armagh

Armagh is the county town of County Armagh in Northern Ireland. It is of historical importance for both Celtic paganism and Christianity and is the seat for both the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland of the Archbishop of Armagh (the Primate of All Ireland). In 1995, Armagh was twinned with Razgrad, Bulgaria. Although classed as a medium-sized town, Armagh was given city status in 1994 and Lord Mayoralty status in 2012, both by Queen Elizabeth II. Its population of 14,590 (2001 Census) makes it the least-populated city in both Northern Ireland and on the island of Ireland and the fourth smallest in the United Kingdom. Eamhain Mhacha (or Navan Fort), at the western edge of Armagh, is believed to have been used as an ancient pagan ritual or ceremonial site. According to Irish mythology it was once the capital of Ulster, until it was abandoned during the 1st century. The site was named after the goddess Macha, and as the settlement grew on the hills nearby, it was also named after the goddess Ard Mhacha means "Macha's height". This name was later anglicised as Ardmagh, which eventually