Armagh is a city in Northern Ireland, the ecclesiastical capital of the province of Ulster, and the county town of County Armagh. It is the smallest city in Ireland. The city has a population of 18,924 people, while the metropolitan area has a population of 51,165. It is the heart of the Catholic community in Northern Ireland, and has a long and turbulent history.
The city is dominated by the great spire of Armagh Cathedral and the twin peaks of the Slieve Gullion range. These are said to be the first places in Ireland to be seen by the sun each morning. Armagh is known for its Georgian architecture, which is particularly well preserved in the city centre.
The city is home to the Armagh Observatory, which is the oldest scientific institution in the United Kingdom, and the second oldest in the world. It was founded in 1790 by Archbishop Richard Robinson.
