Armagh’s iconic Georgian Festival welcomed in excess of 25,000 history buffs, foodies and culture vultures of all ages to the city’s historic streets this weekend as part of the four-day extravaganza.
Celebrating its 14th year, the Georgian Festival brought the unique heritage of Armagh to life with a packed schedule of events culminating in Georgian Day, Northern Ireland’s largest festive outdoor event, attracting more than 25,000 visitors and locals alike on the Saturday.
As part of an exciting new festival programme, Armagh welcomed visitors to a series of sold-out events at the city’s most iconic sites, including mock trials and tours at the Courthouse, ‘Shades of the Past’ evening walking tours on the magnificent Mall, a children’s market at the Shambles Yard and the iconic Great Georgian Banquet at the Archbishop’s Palace.
The Banquet provided a unique evening of gastronomy and entertainment in stunning surrounds with guests revelling in the atmosphere of a bygone era with storytelling, music and a specially curated menu all inspired of the time.
This year’s festival line-up also featured leading experts providing insight and intrigue into some of the more fascinating stories of the time including ‘the art of the silhouette’ and the opportunity to delve into the story of Burke & Hare, the notorious grave robbers.
Georgian Day, the centrepiece of the area’s cultural calendar, welcomed more than 100 market stall holders, choristers, living history characters and a plethora of activities and attractions for the thousands that thronged the city’s streets.
Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Alderman Gareth Wilson, said: “Armagh’s Georgian Day continues to be an unrivalled success for the city and unwaveringly popular among families, tourists, and locals, attracting huge crowds year on year.
“The clock is well and truly stopped as the whole of Armagh is steeped in the glorious heritage of the Georgian era and as the event grows exponentially, we look forward to the future and how we can continue to revel in our shared past.”
A signature event, Georgian Festival is just one part of a packed programme of events scheduled for the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area this year.
For more details on all the events taking place throughout Armagh, go to www.visitarmagh.com
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