History Archbishop's Palace, Armagh

archbishop robinson, commissioned palace

richard robinson elected archbishop of armagh in 1765, brought primacy of church of ireland, , @ once dissatisfied modest residence provided on english street, lack of improvement in ancient irish ecclesiastical capital generally. archbishop’s palace constructed part of robinson’s project revistalise old city upon succeeding see of armagh. using services of cooley , johnson, 2 of leading architects active in ireland in day, robinson had large two-storey house, 7 bays wide 4 bays deep constructed close centre of city on extensive lands owned church, , near had been franciscan friary prior dissolution of monasteries. other buildings constructed part of effort included armagh observatory , armagh public library. cooley designed exterior of house, while johnson modelled interior.

largely unchanged, building continued serve residence church of ireland archbishops throughout 19th century. additional floor added in 1820s, however, archbishop john george de la poer beresford, whilst impressive enclosed porch iconic columns later addition.

the house , walled demesne referred inglis in 1834 as

following disestablishment of church of ireland in 1871, archbishop knox started fund ensure palace , grounds continue used successors, no longer being able rely on tithe income such purposes.

archbishop simms, primate 1969 1980 last archbishop live @ palace, ceased reside there during tenure. having been vacated church of ireland archbishops, building protected being designated “grade a” listed building in 1975, i.e. status reserved buildings of greatest importance northern ireland including both outstanding architectural set-pieces , least altered examples of each representative style, period , type.

front porch of palace, added in 1800s

from 1975 2015, building served headquarters armagh city , district council until authority merged armagh, banbridge , craigavon district on april 1, 2015. during time, palace served principal civic , administrative centre of city council, , armagh’s city hall.

today, palace sits @ centre of palace demesne public park, free visitor s centre situated next it. public tours of palace , grounds available during summer season , provide account of story of demesne through living history interpretation costumed interpreters seeking recreate both grandeur , squalor of georgian period visitors. palace has been selected primary office of lord mayor of newly formed armagh, banbridge, , craigavon borough, following local authority s creation in april 2015.