As part of our Love Your County series, our focus today is on the Orchard County, home of the 2002 All-Ireland winners.
Sporting moment: All-Ireland glory 2002
For Armagh GAA, the date of September 22nd 2002 will be forever etched in their history. That was the day the Orchard County finally got their hands on their first, and to date only All-Ireland success.
Success in Armagh football had been few and far between until the end of the century. In fact half of their total haul of 14 Ulster titles have come since 1999, and Joe Kernan built upon the Crossmaglen side to create one of the most fearsome teams in recent years.
Teak-tough defenders in the McNulty brothers, Francie Bellew and Kieran McGeeney, a dominating centre-field of John Toal and Paul McGrane and forwards of the calibre of the McEntee brothers, Oisin McConville, Diarmuid Marsden, Stevie McDonnell and Ronan Clarke, the biggest mystery is how such a talented team only landed the Sam Maguire once.
That one point win over Kerry, with McConville scoring a crucial goal after missing an earlier penalty, brought joyous scenes to Croke Park and beyond, with the perennial underdog finally getting its day in the sun.
Aim for the stars at Armagh Planetariun
The Armagh Planetarium was built in 1968 and caters for all ages, from infants to OAPs about all things astronomy. Whether you already have a keen interest, or you know very little on the subject area, the centre has something for everyone.
Learn about the stars in the sky and what is really happening to the planets with this fantastic facility.
Learn the history during the Armagh Murder Mystery Tour
The two main things you want when you visit somewhere is to learn something about the area and to have a bit of fun. Well the Murder Mystery tour ticks both boxes.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh
You will cover approximately two and a half miles as you experience the historically unique Navan Fort, the stunning National Trust properties, unmatched Georgian architecture, two Saint Patricks Cathedrals and the green space of the Mall to uncover clues as to solve a murder mystery of the Mashed Piper.
