Access Guide
Introduction
- This guide follows the ‘Angels & Gargoyles Armagh’ miniature sculpture trail.
- There are 22 miniature bronze sculptures hidden around the streets of Armagh.
- The curious humorous creatures, which are the work of artist Holger Lonze, are hidden in all kinds of places amongst the city’s historic buildings, architecture and streets.
- The route also takes in the city's public artworks that can be viewed along the way.
- The total distance for this route is approximately 3570 metres.
Gargoyle 1 - Trimprint, 36 English Street
- The starting point is Armagh Visitor Information Centre.
- Click here for detailed information on the visitor centre
- Exit the centre into English Street and turn right.
- Cross the access road to St Patrick's Trian Car Park.
- There are dropped kerbs on both sides of the crossing but no tactile paving.
- There is no discernible change between pavement and access road so take care for traffic in both directions.
- The gargoyle is located on a ledge in the wall on the far side of the car park access road.
- The distance for this section is approximately 20 metres.
Public Art - Celestial Sphere
- Turn around and cross the St Patrick's Trian Car Park access road again.
- Pass the Visitor Information Centre and continue along English Street.
- The pavement has a block paving surface.
- There are easy slopes on the pavement.
- You will reach the "Celestial Sphere" just before the junction with Abbey Street.
- This public art is accessed via 2 medium steps or an easy slope.
- There is tactile paving at the foot of the steps.
- The steps are not marked and there are no handrails.
- Armagh City and District Council Website:
- "The brightest stars and other features of the night sky have been mapped onto this large 2 metre diameter sphere, made from solid polished grey granite.
- The sphere with its gold stars is aligned to the north with the stars correctly orientated towards the pole star.
- The Celestial Sphere is set on top of four grey granite stones engraved with imagery and other information about the history of Astronomy and moon landings from earliest times up to the present.".
Gargoyle 2 - Charlemont Arms Hotel, 57 English Street
- Cross Abbey Street just past the "Celestial Sphere".
- There are dropped kerbs and tactile paving on both sides of the crossing.
- Take care for traffic in both directions.
- Turn right and cross Lower English Street at the traffic lights.
- There are dropped kerbs and tactile paving on both sides of the crossing.
- Turn left and follow the pavement to the Charlemont Arms Hotel.
- There are some easy slopes on the block paving pavement.
- Look up to the right to see the gargoyle located on a window ledge on the outer wall of the hotel.
- Click here for detailed information on the hotel
- The distance for this section is approximately 130 metres.
Gargoyle 3 - Shambles Market, Dawson Street
- Continue along Lower English Street.
- There are some short easy and moderate slopes on the block paving surface pavement.
- Before you reach the roundabout cross Lower English Street again.
- There are dropped kerbs and tactile paving on both sides of the crossing.
- Take care for traffic in both directions as this is a busy road.
- At the opposite side turn right and then cross Dawson Street.
- There are dropped kerbs and tactile paving on both sides of the crossing.
- Traffic approaches from the left only at this crossing.
- Turn left and proceed along Dawson Street.
- There is an easy slope uphill along the block paving pavement.
- At the entrance to the Shambles Market turn and look up to the right.
- The gargoyle is located on a ledge to the right of the entrance.
- Click here for detailed information on the market
- The distance for this section is approximately 160 metres.
Gargoyle 4 - RC Cathedral Fence
- Turn around and go back the way you came, following the pavement down to the junction with Cathedral Road.
- Turn left and proceed along down Cathedral Road.
- Cross the Shambles Traders access road.
- The crossing has dropped kerbs and tactile paving on both sides.
- Continue along the block paving pavement.
- Cross Edward Street.
- There are dropped kerbs on both sides of the crossing but tactile paving on the near side only.
- Continue along Cathedral Road.
- The pavement has a tarmac surface and some easy slopes.
- Continue past the petrol station taking care of traffic entering and exiting.
- Reach the Cathedral Road traffic lights.
- Turn right and cross Cathedral Road at the lights.
- There are dropped kerbs and tactile paving at both sides of the crossing.
- Turn right at the far side of the road and proceed back towards the cathedral grounds entrance.
- Cross the cobbled surface outside the cathedral grounds entrance.
- Look up to the left at the far side of the cathedral access road.
- The Gargolye is located above the pedestrian entrance to the grounds.
- Click here for detailed information on the cathedral
- The distance for this section is approximately 190 metres.
Gargoyle 5 - Armagh Robinson Library, 43 Abbey Street
- Turn around and go back the way you came, crossing Cathedral Road at the traffic lights and turning left.
- When you reach Edward Street again turn right.
- Proceed along the Edward Street pavement, there are cobbled sections to cross.
- At the end of the street follow the pavement round to the left, to the rear of the market.
- There are some easy to moderate slopes on the block paving pavement.
- At the junction with Dawson Street turn right.
- Proceed along Dawson street.
- The pavement has a block paving surface and slopes steeply uphill.
- Continue along Dawson Street, past the junction with Abbey Street.
- There are some narrow sections along the route (width 90cm) and the surface of the pavement is uneven in places.
- There is a tarmac section to cross with dropped kerbs at either side.
- When you are opposite the junction with Castle Street turn left and cross Dawson Street.
- There are dropped kerbs on both sides but no tactile paving.
- At the far side turn right and follow the block paving pavement into Castle Street.
- The pavement slopes steeply uphill.
- When opposite Armagh Robinson Library, turn right and cross the road.
- There are dropped kerbs on both sides of the crossing but no tactile paving.
- The gargoyle is located on top of the wall to the left as you face the library.
- Click here for detailed information on the library
- The distance for this section is approximately 400 metres.
Gargoyle 6 - Uluru Restaurant, Marketplace
- Turn around and cross Castle Street in the same place.
- Turn right and follow the path as it bends round to the left past the Cathedral.
- Click here for detailed information on the cathedral
- The pavement along Castle Street is not suitable for wheelchair users.
- It has very narrow sections (width 57cm) and can be obstructed by parked vehicles.
- There are also breaks in the pavement with no dropped kerbs.
- There is a steep slope downhill along Castle Street as it leads down towards the town centre.
- When you reach Marketplace turn left into the pedestrian zone and then immediately right towards Uluru Restaurant.
- The gargoyle is located on a window ledge on the middle storey.
- The distance for this section is approximately 200 metres.
Gargoyle 7 - Marketplace Theatre
- Turn around and proceed towards the Marketplace Theatre.
- The theatre is opposite the restaurant in the pedestrian zone.
- There is a moderate cross slope on the paved surface from left to right.
- The next gargoyle is located just inside the theatre, next to the second set of doors.
- Click here for detailed information on the theatre
- The distance for this section is approximately 40 metres.
Public Art - StarStone
- This public art is located immediately outside the theatre, to the left as you exit.
- Armagh City and District Council Website:
- "This amazingly tactile 5.5m high sculpture made entirely of local Armagh Marble sits in front of the modern architectural lines of the Market Place Theatre.
- The inspiration for StarStone comes from Armagh’s long curiosity with the night sky, but also the way its Cathedrals seemingly reach for the sky from the hills on which the City is built.
- It provides a sense of the ancientness of Armagh, using local stone and real craftsmanship. If you look closely, you can find tiny fossils formed in the Armagh stone millions of years ago.".
Gargoyle 8 - AMMA Centre, Marketplace
- Exit the theatre and bear diagonally left towards the Amma Centre.
- The Amma Centre entrance is located at the rear of the Armagh City Library.
- There is a steep slope leading downhill.
- The gargoyle is located on an outer wall of the Amma Centre, next to a drain.
- The distance for this section is approximately 20 metres.
Gargoyle 9 - Wall Opposite 4 Castle Street
- Turn around and proceed back up Marketplace towards Uluru Restaurant.
- There is a steep slope leading uphill on the paved surface.
- At the top of the Marketplace turn left into Castle Street.
- There is a break in the pavement for a short distance so beware of traffic.
- When the pavement resumes outside the row of terraced houses it has a tarmac surface.
- When you reach 4 Castle Street on the left hand side turn and face the cathedral grounds wall opposite.
- The gargoyle is located on the corner of the wall.
- The distance for this section is approximately 70 metres.
Gargoyle 10 - Chaple Lane/Ogle Street
- Continue in the same direction along Castle Street.
- The pavement has a tarmac surface and has only easy slopes.
- At the first junction turn left into Chapel Lane.
- There is a moderate slope leading downhill.
- The pavement continues to have a tarmac surface but there are some crossings with dropped kerbs.
- The dropped kerbs do not have tactile paving.
- There are some narrow sections (width 75cm) along the pavement.
- Parked vehicles can obstruct the pavement, particularly outside the school.
- Follow Chapel Lane to the bottom where it meets Ogle Street.
- The gargoyle is located on the upper outer wall (above the Chapel Lane sign) of a shoe repair shop that is situated at the junction.
- The distance for this section is approximately 250 metres.
Gargoyle 11 - The Gas Lamp, 55 Thomas Street
- Turn left from Chapel Lane into Ogle Street.
- The pavement has a block paving surface and an easy slope.
- Continue along Ogle Street until it becomes Thomas Street.
- The gargoyle is located on the upper outer wall of The Gas Lamp pub (55 Thomas Street).
- The distance for this section is approximately 70 metres.
Gargoyle 12 - Northern Bank, 78 Scotch Street
- Continue along Thomas Street.
- The pavement continues to have a block paving surface with only easy slopes.
- At the end of Thomas Street turn left into Scotch Street.
- The pavement has an easy cross slope from left to right.
- Bear left towards the Northern Bank, over the cobbled surface.
- The gargoyle is located on a ledge between an archway and the bank.
- The distance for this section is approximately 190 metres.
Public Art - Market Days and Fair Days
- Turn around and follow the pavement around to the far side of the Northern Bank Building.
- Turn left and the public artwork is located next to the bank.
- There is moderate slope on the paved surface leading up to the artwork.
- Armagh City and District Council:
- "Situated in Market Square, the centre of Commerce in Armagh City for hundreds of years, this hand-modelled ceramic wall art depicts the traditional ‘journey’ to market from country to city and celebrates the humanity and humour of markets and fairs.
- The panels depict some of the produce taken to market – animals, grain, flax and flowers – as well as some of the musicians, storytellers and rhymers that would have entertained the crowds.".
Gargoyle 13 - McCrum's Court
- Turn around and bear left along Upper English Street until you reach Armagh City Library.
- Click here for detailed information on the library
- Turn right and cross Upper English Street opposite McCrums Court.
- There is a dropped kerb on the near side of the road and a 4cm lip on the far side.
- Proceed into McCrum's Court.
- The walkway have a block paving surface and a moderate gradient going down.
- Continue along McCrum's Court until you reach The Hole In The Wall Bar on the left hand side.
- Click here for detailed information on the bar
- The gargoyle is located on the outer wall of the bar.
- The distance for this section is approximately 90 metres.
Gargoyle 14 - Mall Shopping Centre/O'Brien's
- Continue along McCrum's Court.
- Bear left at the Citizen's Advice Bureau and follow the moderate slope down towards The Mall Shopping Centre Car Park.
- Proceed diagonally to the right around the edge of the car park, past the bollards.
- Go past the pay station on the right hand side.
- The gargoyle is located on the corner of the red brick wall, just beyond the pay station.
- The distance for this section is approximately 50 metres.
Gargoyle 15 - Scotch Street/Linenhall Street
- Turn around and proceed back the way you came, going up the ramp into McCrum's Court.
- Turn left when you reach McCrum's Court at Emerson's.
- The walkway has a block paving surface.
- When you reach the end of McCrum's Court turn left into Scotch Street.
- The pavement has a block paving surface and is level.
- When you reach the tactile paving opposite Linenhall Street turn right and cross Scotch Street.
- There are dropped kerbs and tactile paving at both sides of the crossing.
- Take care when crossing this road as it is very busy.
- There is an opticians on the far side of the crossing at the junction between Scotch Street and Linenhall Street.
- The gargoyle is located on the outer wall of the opticians in Linenhall Street.
- The pavement leading up to where the gargoyle is located is quite narrow (width 89cm).
- The distance for this section is approximately 120 metres.
Gargoyle 16 - Butter Market, Dobbin Street
- Continue along Linenhall Street.
- The pavement has a block paving surface with an easy slope.
- There is an access road to cross along the route.
- The crossing has dropped kerbs and tactile paving on both sides.
- Continue along Linenhall Street until you reach the junction with Dobbin Street.
- Turn left into Dobbin Street and follow the pavement as it bends round to the left.
- The pavement has a block paving surface.
- Continue until you reach the entrance to the Dobbin Street Community Centre car park.
- Click here for detailed information on the community centre
- The gargoyle is located above the car park entrance, next to the clock.
- The distance for this section is approximately 220 metres.
Gargoyle 17 - Dobbin St. Lane, DVA Entrance
- Turn around and go back to Linenhall Street.
- Cross Linenhall Street.
- There are dropped kerbs and tactile paving on both sides of the crossing.
- Continue along Dobbin Street until just before the junction with Dobbin Street Lane on the opposite side of the road.
- Cross Dobbin Street diagonally to the right towards Dobbin Street Lane using the dropped kerbs.
- The dropped kerbs have short moderate slopes with no tactile paving.
- Be cautious of oncoming traffic approaching from the left.
- Turn left down Dobbin Street Lane and continue straight ahead for 100 metres.
- Turn to the right and cross Dobbin Street Lane diagonally to the left when opposite the entrance to Friar Tuck's.
- There are dropped kerbs on both sides but tactile paving on the far side only.
- Turn left and then right towards the access ramp that leads up to the parade of shops where the DVA is located.
- Proceed up the access ramp.
- The ramp has a moderate gradient and a width of 110cm.
- The ramp has handrails on both sides and a block paving surface.
- At the top of the ramp turn right.
- The gargoyle is located at the foot of another ramp leading into the DVA building.
- The distance for this section is approximately 220 metres.
Public Art - Saints and Scholars Railings
- The "Saints and Scholars Railings" public artwork is located at the end of Dobbin Street Lane.
- Proceed back down the access ramp and turn right.
- Cross the car park access road.
- There are dropped kerbs and tactile paving on both sides of the road.
- Follow the pavement as it slopes easily uphill to the end of Dobbin Street Lane.
- The public artwork is located at the end of Dobbin Street Lane to the right.
- Armagh City and District Council Website:
- "These railings are inspired by the legacy of Saint Patrick, referencing the intricate architecture of our two Cathedrals as well as the Celtic imagery of the ‘Book of Armagh’.
- The railings employ a contemporary approach to traditional wrought iron work using a variety of different grades and weights of metal.
- The end result is a stunning visual artwork stimulating debate on many aspects of our ecclesiastical heritage.".
Gargoyle 18 - 34 Scotch Street
- Turn around and go back down Dobbin Street Lane the way you came, crossing in the same place outside Friar Tuck's.
- Proceed until you reach the junction with Dobbin Street.
- Cross Dobbin Street diagonally to the right in the same place you did on the way to Gargoyle 17.
- Turn right and proceed along Dobbin Street, crossing Linenhall Street in the same place.
- Continue past the Dobbin Street Community Centre and Gargoyle 16.
- The pavement continues to have a block paving surface.
- There are some undulating sections with short moderate slopes.
- When you reach the end of Dobbin Street turn left past the public artwork into Scotch Street.
- Proceed along Scotch Street.
- There is a moderate slope leading uphill.
- The pavement has a block paving surface.
- Continue until you reach a menswear shop (34 Scotch Street) immediately before Patrick's Fold.
- The gargoyle is located on the upper outer wall at the side of the menswear shop, in the garden on Patrick's Fold.
- The distance for this section is approximately 450 metres.
Public Art - For the Love of Emer
- This public artwork is located on the junction of Dobbin Street and Scotch Street.
- It is passed en route to Gargoyles 18 and 19.
- Armagh City and District Council Website:
- "This 9-metre-tall stainless steel sculpture by Martin Heron depicts the famous Irish Hero Cuchulainn, as he goes to the Isle of Skye to learn the art of balancing on the butt of a spear or the rim of a shield.
- All this effort was an attempt to prove himself to the father of Emer who he wanted to marry.
- You can find out more about the story of Cuchulainn and Emer at the Navan Centre & Fort.".
Gargoyle 19 - Post Office, 26-28 Barrack Street
- Turn around and go back down Scotch Street.
- Just before you reach the junction with Dobbin Street turn left and cross Scotch Street, opposite the estate agents.
- There are dropped kerbs and tactile paving on both sides of the crossing.
- Turn right and continue along Scotch Street, under the road signs.
- The pavement has a block paving surface.
- Follow the path as it bends round to the left, joining Barrack Street at the traffic lights.
- Continue along Barrack Street until you reach the post office.
- There is a moderate slope uphill.
- The gargoyle is located on the outer wall of the post office.
- The distance for this section is approximately 170 metres.
Gargoyle 20 - Mall View House, Mall West
- Continue along Barrack Street.
- At the traffic lights follow the path round to left into The Mall West.
- The pavement has an uneven surface at this junction.
- Continue along The Mall West until you reach Mall View House on the left hand side.
- The pavement has a block paving surface and slopes easily downhill.
- The gargoyle is located on the door of Mall View House.
- The distance for this section is approximately 200 metres.
Gargoyle 21 - 6 Russell Street
- Continue along The Mall West.
- Cross The Mall Shopping Centre delivery access road.
- There are dropped kerbs and tactile paving on both sides of the crossing.
- Cross the Mall Shopping Centre car park entry/exit roads.
- There are dropped kerbs at both sides of the crossing but no tactile paving.
- Take care when crossing these roads as they are very busy.
- Click here for detailed information on the shopping centre
- Continue along The Mall West.
- The pavement is slightly uneven in places, particularly past the car wash centre.
- Continue past the Presbyterian Church and turn left into Russell Street.
- As soon as you enter Russell Street turn right and cross to the far side.
- The crossing has dropped kerbs and tactile paving on both sides.
- Turn left at the far side and proceed along Russell Street.
- The pavement has a block paving surface and slopes moderately uphill.
- The Gargoyle is located above the entrance to 6 Russell Street at the far end, on the right hand side.
- The distance for this section is approximately 280 metres.
Gargoyle 22 - Bank of Ireland, 11 English Street
- Continue along Russell Street.
- At the end of the street turn left and cross it.
- There are dropped kerbs and tactile paving on both sides of the crossing.
- Proceed along English Street until you reach the Bank of Ireland.
- The pavement has a block paving surface.
- The Gargoyle is located on the outer wall of the bank next to the entrance.
- The distance for this section is approximately 40 metres.