The intriguing museum and visitor attraction at No 5 Vicars’ Hill is a short walk from Armagh Robinson Library, opposite St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral.
No 5 Vicar's Hill
Robinson Trail
From the outside, No 5 looks no different to the houses on Vicars’ Hill, however, its small hallway opens into two beautiful, octagonal rooms with vaulted ceilings.
No 5 was built in 1772 as the Diocesan Registry by Archbishop Richard Robinson as part of his plans for the improvement of the City of Armagh. The building used to hold records for the Church of Ireland and Armagh Diocese, with the octagonal rooms containing many public as well as church records.
No 5 has a three-dimensional model of Armagh City offering a bird’s-eye view of the City as it was in the early 19th century. Touch screens offer the opportunity to explore the collections in more detail.
Activity sheets will keep children and young visitors entertained. They can learn to write their name in Ogham, the earliest form of Irish, do a quiz, make rubbings of medals and ancient bronze objects or try the jig-saws of old prints!
While the Diocesan records are no longer kept in the building, some examples are on display, as well as ancient coins, gems, significant prints, early Christian artefacts and other collections and curiosities from Armagh Robinson Library.
Rare survivals of 18th century fine art include James Tassie’s ‘gems’ from the 1770s. Tassie reproduced classical figures in a hard-setting sulphur paste. Collectors of his ‘gems’ included Russia’s Catherine the Great, while Louis XIV of France commissioned medals to commemorate his reign. You can see some very rare casts of these medals, made in about 1690 from originals in the Paris mint
The art and coin collections of Archbishops Robinson and Beresford are exhibited and a Bell of the Blood reputedly blessed by Saint Patrick. Old maps of Armagh are displayed and provide a good overview of settlement from 1600 onwards. A timeline provides a continuous history of religious leaders in the Cathedral City from St Patrick to the present Archbishop and includes key dates such as the arrival of the Vikings.
Opening Hours: No 5 is open by prior appointment only.
Please contact us on 028 3752 3142 or email admin@armaghrobinsonlibrary.co.uk
Admission: Free with donations welcome
Pre-booked Guided Tours: £3.00 per person | Pre-booking essential
Directions:
School Groups
Armagh Robinson Library and No 5 offer exciting free school visits at all levels.
Primary School Visits
Primary school children will view the collections on display, and explore more through the use of 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.
Secondary and Tertiary Students
School visits can be tailored to meet the 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.
Visits and tours are free to pupils and students. Pre-booking is essential.
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, and St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral.
Whatever the group or your area of interest a Morning or Afternoon on the Hill group tour can be designed for for you. Please book in advance so that collections in the Library are ready to view. A group tour may be booked for mornings or afternoons.
Full tour: £9 per person, part tour £3 per person, per venue.
5 Vicars’ Hill, Armagh, BT61 7ED, c/o Admin Office: 43 Abbey Street, Armagh, BT61 7DY
T: +44 [0] 28 3752 3142