Armagh Public Library

Armagh Public Library, Armagh, County Armagh

Founded in 1771 by Archbishop Richard Robinson, Armagh Public Library is one of the oldest libraries in Northern Ireland and is an astonishing place to visit.  Located close to St Patricks Cathedral, the building was designed by Thomas Cooley.

The core of the library consists of the Archbishops own personal collection containing books on theology, philosophy, travel, history and much more from the 17th to the 18th centuries. The library is also a listed museum holding artefacts such as Prints, gems, Stones, Stone Axes, bronze implements and flint arrowheads. These collections are on view in the Library’s Long Room. The Library also holds the resources to assist family history research.

You will also find references within the library to Brian Boru, the legendary High King and his connection to this Spiritual Capital of Ireland.

All the collections are kept alive by acquisitions of items on the local history of Armagh, history of the church, St Patrick and Jonathan Swift.