Armagh Robinson Library, formerly Armagh Public Library, is the oldest public library in Northern Ireland, founded in 1771 by Archbishop Richard Robinson as part of his plans to establish a university. Carved in stone above the Library’s public entrance is the original Greek inscription translated as ‘the healing place of the soul’, a message that still resonates today.
Armagh Robinson Library
Robinson Trail
Gullivers Travels
Robinson Library Collections
Archbishop Richard Robinson founded this Library in the heart of the City of Armagh in 1771. He wanted to share his own collections of books, medals, coins, gems and fine art with the general public. These special collections remain available for consultation to this day.
Groups are welcome to book a tour to both the Library and No 5 Vicars’ Hill. Please check the group tours page for more information.
The collections are available for researchers. Please contact the Library to book a research slot, so that material can be ready ahead of visit.
Children of all ages are also welcome to the Library. Young children can play with the soft books, cuddly toys, or enjoy being read to. Older children can test their treasure hunt or scavenger skills with one of our activity sheets.
Collections include around 46,000 printed works, with subjects including medicine, science, history, law, politics, theology and travel. The Library also holds ancient and medieval coins, commemorative medals and sulphur gems, prints, maps and atlases, and manuscripts.
The Library’s Long Room is home to permanent and temporary exhibitions. Many of the Library’s treasures are on display, such as medieval manuscripts, incunabula (books printed before 1501), Archbishop Beresford’s archaeological collection, and Jonathan Swift’s own copy of Gulliver’s Travels with notes in Swift’s own handwriting.
Temporary exhibitions are regularly compiled to highlight examples of the collections on a particular subject. Past exhibitions can be explored on the Library’s website.
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri: 10am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm. Other opening times are available on request.
Admission: Free with donations welcome
Directions:
School Groups
Armagh Robinson Library and No 5 offer exciting free school visits at all education levels.
Primary School Visits – Introduce the class to the internet of the 18th Century! On their school visit, primary school children will discover the history of the Library and see some important books. They can handle old books with care. They will also visit No 5 Vicars’ Hill to view the collections on display, and explore using touch screens and activity sheets.
This programme lasts about 45 minutes in each venue, and is relevant to the learning areas of the World Around Us, Personal Development and Mutual Understanding.
School Visits Secondary and Tertiary Students – Visits are tailored to meet the students’ particular interests and the needs of the curriculum, with a focus on the study of the 18th Century.
A Morning on the Hill Combined Visit
A Morning on the Hill is an integrated programme, lasting 2½ hours, which combines school visits to the Library, No 5 Vicars’ Hill and St Patrick’s Cathedral. The Cathedral tour includes its history, associations with St Patrick and King Brian Boru, and a visit to the crypt.
Adult Groups
A Morning or Afternoon on the Hill – Group Tour
This 2½ hour group tour includes visits to the 18th century Armagh Robinson Library, No 5 Vicars’ Hill, an intriguing museum and visitor attraction, and St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral.
A Morning/Afternoon on the Hill group tour can be designed, no matter what the group or area of interest.
Groups are asked to please book in advance, so that items from collections are ready to see, on visit. A group tour may be booked for mornings or afternoons.
Full tour: £9 pp, part tour £3 pp per venue.
Please contact us on 028 3752 3142 or email admin@armaghrobinsonlibrary.co.uk
43 Abbey Street, Armagh BT61 7DY
T: 028 3752 3142
e: admin@armaghrobinsonlibrary.co.uk