Weather fails to extinguish Armagh’s excitement on fantastic Georgian Day!

by
Micheal McKenna
November 28, 2015

Thousands travelled to Armagh to experience the annual spectacle that is Georgian Day – the official countdown to Christmas in the city.

And the weather may not have been the finest – at one stage we even had hail! – but this could not take away from the festive spirit.

Nor did it stop people coming out to sample Armagh’s Christmas offering, now 12 years running and inspired by our unique Georgian heritage.

The city was positively buzzing, living history characters of all ages adding to the real Georgian feel.

There was an abundance of stalls selling unique crafts and tasty treats and no shortage of mulled wine and hot bites to keep the cold chill at bay.

Throughout the day, horse and carriage rides operated around the Mall and the fun extended all the way down to the Shambles Yard, where a snow globe was an extra special touch amid the Children’s Christmas Market. A real reindeer, carousel, festive bakery, Post Office to post letters to Santa, a Christmas fairy, storytelling and disco too – this was fun at its best.

Music and entertainment – including stilt walkers and face painters – and Armagh showed today why it’s Georgian Day has become such a huge draw from people all over Northern Ireland and beyond.

And the highlight of course was the spectacular light show on the back of the Market House – ‘Twas The Light Before Christmas’ – which got four hourly screenings, kicking off at 4pm, which went down a storm.

It’s a hearty soul that stood and waited in that weather but it was worth it.

The library building was turned into a moving and shimmering canvas of all things Christmas – it was wonderful, particularly for the children, to watch Santa’s reindeer-drawn sleigh fly past world famous landmarks and lit up by the light of the moon. And then there were the fire-throwing elves!

All in all, a very special day once again for Armagh and a credit to the organisers.

Roll on 2016!

Picture by Patrick Hughes Photography