Visit Armagh

If you enjoy cities and walking, but have never found a way to make it interesting for others who don’t, including young children, then Armagh City’s new Public Art Trail perhaps has the answer!

Why not enjoy one of Ireland’s most historic cities through engaging with its sculpture.  A new miniature sculpture trail called ‘Gargoyles and Angels’.  22 miniature bronze sculptures hidden around the streets have got children excited as they embark on an Indiana Jones style adventure to track them all down!

The humorous creatures, which are the work of artist Holger Lonze, are hidden in all kinds of curious places amongst Armagh’s historic buildings, architecture and streets. Find them getting up to all kinds of mischief, escaping, climbing and playing with things they’ve found on the street – or stolen from inside the buildings!

Along the way are some giants also – including a 9 metre tall stainless steel sculpture 'For the Love of Emer' by Martin Heron of the famous Irish Hero Cuchulainn, the 5 metre tall StarStone made of Armagh marble or a large granite sculpture 'Celestial Sphere' by Brian Connolly that tells the story of astronomy and moon landings in images.   Ceramic Wall Art by Eleanor Wheeler depicts Market and Fair Days of a bygone era and wrought iron railings by David Dudgeon reflect our ‘Saints and Scholars’ heritage and act as a gateway to the City Centre.

For those interested in astronomy, the Armagh Observatory also boasts a Human Orrery and an Astropark. Walk through the universe in the beautiful outdoor setting of the Observatory grounds. Like the city centre art programme, the Observatory’s interactive art and science installations are free of charge and provide an excellent opportunity for children to learn about astronomy in a visual and tactile way.

 For more information visit: www.gargoylesandangels.info;  www.arm.ac.uk/orrery

Downloadable Public Art Information:
Celestial Sphere
For the Love of Emer
Gargoyles and Angels
Market and Fair Days
Saints and Scholars
Starstone