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An Ancient Celtic Ritual, people welcome the arrival of the new light, recover, and look forward to new beginnings.
People form a circle at the fort.
Photo by Philip Magowan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
With budget-friendly options and activities for all ages, this area punches far above its weight. Check out 10 of the most exciting activities to look forward to across Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon this year:<\/p>\n
Celebrate at the Home of St. Patrick\u2019s Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n This March, join the Home of St. Patrick\u2019s Festival (March 9\u201317). From concerts to masterclasses, tours to traditional music, this celebration honours the legacy of Ireland\u2019s patron saint, who established his first church in the heart of Armagh.<\/p>\n Stargaze at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium<\/strong><\/p>\n Ireland\u2019s premier gateway to the stars. Explore the wonders of the cosmos through interactive exhibits and captivating planetarium shows. A perfect activity for all ages, it\u2019s an educational and inspiring way to kickstart your year.<\/p>\n “Hilary Heron: A Retrospective” at the F.E. McWilliam Gallery <\/strong><\/p>\n This exhibition celebrates the pioneering work of modernist sculptor Hilary Heron (1923 \u2013 1977) and travels to the F.E. McWilliam Gallery, Banbridge after a successful run at the Irish Museum of Modern Art.\u00a0Visitors can explore Heron’s bold themes of gender, relationships, and history through her innovative sculptures, open until February 15th<\/sup>.<\/p>\n Immerse in history at Navan Centre & Fort<\/strong><\/p>\n Dive into ancient Celtic heritage at the Navan Centre & Fort, one of Ireland\u2019s most significant archaeological sites. Don\u2019t miss the Imbolc Evening Celebration (February 1), an evening of storytelling, mindfulness, and fire ceremonies welcoming spring or celebrate Valentine\u2019s Day with a twist at the Viking-Themed Murder Mystery night.<\/p>\n Lord Mayor, Councillor Sarah Duffy, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, said, \u201c2024 has set the stage for an even more exciting 2025. Our staple festivals, like the Armagh Food and Cider Festival and the Georgian Festival, once again shone a spotlight on the best of what we have to offer. This year, we are building on that momentum with the launch of our brand-new experiences programme in the spring. From Ireland’s only Observatory and Planetarium to the rich history of St. Patrick and our magnificent cathedrals, as well as guided walking tours and so much more, there\u2019s never been a better time to explore and fall in love with our region. We\u2019re proud to share this amazing place with visitors and can\u2019t wait to welcome more to enjoy its unique culture, rich history, and exciting experiences.”<\/p>\n Ireland\u2019s oldest County Museum<\/strong><\/p>\n Dive into history at the Armagh County Museum, Ireland\u2019s oldest county museum. With engaging exhibits spanning art, wildlife, and social history, there\u2019s something to capture every visitor\u2019s interest.<\/p>\n Marvel at the Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre<\/strong><\/p>\n Immerse yourself in exhibitions like Joanne Fitzpatrick\u2019s “Vibrant Echoes” (March\u2013May) or explore 25 years of artistic excellence with The Arts Council NI Collection (March-May).<\/p>\n St Patrick\u2019s Cathedrals <\/strong><\/p>\n Armagh’s iconic twin cathedrals\u2014St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral and St. Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral\u2014remain a key part of the city\u2019s charm. Standing on opposite hills, they honour Ireland\u2019s patron saint and offer stunning views and beautiful interiors for visitors to enjoy.\u00a0New for 2025, visitors can delve into the rich history of\u00a0St. Patrick\u2019s Roman Catholic Cathedral\u00a0through its newly refurbished Cathedral museum. Guided tours will offer\u00a0fresh\u00a0insights into the cathedral\u2019s storied history and stunning architecture. Stay tuned for more updates this year\u2026.<\/p>\n Angels and Gargoyles Trail <\/strong><\/p>\n Explore Armagh City\u2019s charming Angels and Gargoyles trail, a free, family-friendly adventure. Spot 22 tiny bronze sculptures hidden among the city\u2019s historic streets and buildings. These shy gargoyles and invisible angels reveal themselves only to curious eyes\u2014perfect for a fun day out.<\/p>\n Game of Thrones Studio Tour<\/strong><\/p>\n Just a short trip from Armagh, the Game of Thrones Studio Tour at Linen Mill Studios is a must-visit for fans of the iconic series. Marvel at intricate costumes, jaw-dropping special effects, and feast on themed treats like chocolate-crunch dragon eggs.<\/p>\n Step back in time at Armagh Robinson Library<\/strong><\/p>\n Discover a hidden treasure on Abbey Street. The Armagh Robinson Library is a bibliophile\u2019s dream, offering a serene space filled with ancient tomes, rare manuscripts, and fascinating maps. Among its priceless treasures is a first edition of Gulliver\u2019s Travels, published by Benjamin Motte on 28 October 1726. This copy features amendments in Jonathan Swift\u2019s own handwriting, making it a rare piece of literary history.<\/p>\n For more details and bookings, visit VisitArmagh.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area is set to captivate visitors in 2025 with a kaleidoscope of events, experiences, and attractions. Rich in history and creativity \u2013 from the rolling orchards of Armagh to the ceremonial centre of Navan Fort and the Game of Thrones Studio Tour \u2013 this region offers the perfect blend … Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23669"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23669"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23669\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23672,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23669\/revisions\/23672"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23669"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23669"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23669"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}