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Navan Centre and Fort, Armagh

Companionship careArmagh

Days out in Armagh for an older parent

Ten places in Armagh that make a good day out for an older parent, from Navan Centre and Fort to The Argory. For each one: what its own access information confirms, what it costs, how long to allow, and the carers nearby who drive and could take them.

Researched by PrimeCarers from each place’s own website and access information  ·  Updated October 2026

Navan Centre and Fort. Photo: Chris Andrews, CC BY-SA 2.0

Ten days out across four towns

The best places to take an older parent in Armagh

Six of them are free to visit or to walk around. The access information for three describes a step-free route, and six confirm an accessible toilet. Where a place does not publish its access, we say so.

Navan Centre and Fort, Armagh

Photo: Chris Andrews, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Museum · Armagh

Navan Centre and Fort

Navan Fort is the ancient royal site of Emain Macha on the edge of Armagh, a large earthwork mound linked to the legends of the Ulster kings. The visitor centre beside it has exhibitions, a reconstructed Iron Age roundhouse with living history guides, and a café.

AccessAble reports step-free access through most of the centre, Blue Badge bays about 20 metres from the entrance and an adapted toilet, although the grassy route up to the mound itself is uneven, so the carer may prefer to view it from the lower path.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet
  • Blue Badge parking
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Armagh

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, Armagh

Photo: Eric Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Museum · Armagh

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium

The planetarium sits in the grounds of the historic Armagh Observatory and shows films about space in its domed digital theatre, with exhibition galleries and meteorites you can touch. Outside, the Astropark has scale models of the solar system set out across sloping parkland.

The planetarium says its public areas are fully wheelchair accessible with a lift to the upper level, it lends a wheelchair from reception, and a seated dome show makes a restful hour for someone who tires quickly.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Step-free route
  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Armagh

Armagh County Museum, Armagh

Photo: Eric Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Museum · Armagh

Armagh County Museum

Armagh County Museum, on The Mall in the city centre, is the oldest county museum in Ireland and holds local archaeology, costume, military items and paintings. It is a compact building that suits a short visit, with the tree-lined Mall park across the road.

There is a ramp with handrails to the entrance, a public lift to the first floor and an accessible toilet near the entrance, and on-street Blue Badge bays sit opposite the museum.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

What their access information confirms

  • Step-free route
  • Accessible toilet
  • Blue Badge parking

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Armagh

St Patrick's Cathedral (Church of Ireland), Armagh

Photo: JohnArmagh (shifted & cropped by Rabanus Flavus), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cathedral · Armagh

St Patrick's Cathedral (Church of Ireland)

The Church of Ireland cathedral stands on the hill where tradition says Saint Patrick built his first church in Armagh. Inside there are medieval carvings, regimental flags and memorials, and the grave of the High King Brian Boru is marked on the outside wall.

AccessAble found level access from the cathedral car park, which has a Blue Badge bay, but it also notes that there is no accessible toilet, so plan a stop at the County Museum or elsewhere in town.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Check prices

What their access information confirms

  • Step-free route
  • Blue Badge parking

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Armagh

Gosford Forest Park, Markethill

Photo: Robert Ashby, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Park · Markethill

Gosford Forest Park

Gosford Forest Park covers about 240 acres of woodland and open parkland around the mock Norman Gosford Castle, with a herd of red deer, walled garden areas and waymarked trails. The castle itself is not open, but it can be seen from the paths.

There are six Blue Badge bays in the main car park and adapted toilets and a Changing Places facility close by, so a short walk from the car to see the deer is easy to plan.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Free to walk in, car parking charged

What their access information confirms

  • Accessible toilet
  • Blue Badge parking

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Markethill

The Palace Demesne Public Park, Armagh

Photo: Eric Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Park · Armagh

The Palace Demesne Public Park

The Palace Demesne is about 300 acres of parkland created by Archbishop Richard Robinson around the former palace of the Church of Ireland archbishops, a short walk from Armagh city centre. It has woodland walks, a sensory garden and the ruins of a Franciscan friary.

Parking is free with Blue Badge bays close to the palace courtyard, which also has an adapted toilet, so a short walk to the sensory garden is easy to arrange.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free, free parking

What their access information confirms

  • Accessible toilet
  • Blue Badge parking

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Armagh

The Mall

Park · Armagh

The Mall

The Mall is a Georgian tree-lined park in the centre of Armagh, once a racecourse, surrounded by fine terraces, the courthouse and the County Museum. War memorials stand along its paths and cricket is played on the green in summer.

AccessAble describes a wide, well lit tarmac path around the park that is generally level, with single Blue Badge bays on either side, so it pairs well with a visit to the County Museum.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet
  • Blue Badge parking

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Armagh

Loughgall Country Park, Loughgall

Photo: Dean Molyneaux, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Park · Loughgall

Loughgall Country Park

Loughgall Country Park sits in the heart of Armagh's apple orchard country, with a lake, Bramley orchards, a walled garden and woodland trails. Short and longer waymarked routes start from the main car park.

The lakeside route is described as short and flat with three viewpoints to stop at, which suits someone who needs regular rests.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Loughgall

St Patrick's Cathedral (Roman Catholic), Armagh

Photo: NateBergin, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cathedral · Armagh

St Patrick's Cathedral (Roman Catholic)

The Roman Catholic cathedral of St Patrick stands on a hill on Cathedral Road with twin spires that can be seen across the city. Inside are mosaics, marble and painted ceilings, and the approach steps give views over Armagh.

There is a car park beside and behind the cathedral with designated bays and a non-stepped route to the door, so the carer can avoid the long flight of front steps.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Blue Badge parking

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Armagh

The Argory, Moy

Photo: Darrin Antrobus, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Historic house · Moy

The Argory

The Argory is a National Trust house built in the 1820s above the River Blackwater, kept much as its last owners left it, with an organ, period furniture and its own acetylene gas lighting plant. Around the house are rose gardens, riverside walks and woodland.

The carer can plan the visit around the house tour and the garden next to it, checking with the National Trust beforehand about access to the upper floor.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Moy

Regular groups and events in Armagh

Something to go back to every week or every year, from our research into what older people enjoy doing in Armagh.

  • Music · ArmaghArmagh Pipers Club classes and sessionsA charity founded in 1966 that teaches uilleann pipes, fiddle, flute, whistle, harp, accordion and singing, and runs family sessions and Fonn Friday concerts with visiting players. A carer could take someone along to a concert or session as a listener, which needs no instrument and no commitment.Details
  • Dancing · ArmaghAge Friendly tea dances for the over 50sThe borough council runs a series of tea dances and supper dances for people aged over 50, including afternoon events in Armagh city with live music. A carer can handle the booking and transport and sit out the fast numbers with the person, since the afternoon timing suits people who do not want to be out late.Details
  • Sports · ArmaghGet Active ABC sessions for the over 50sThe council's health and recreation service runs walking, swimming, dancing and fitness sessions across the borough with programmes specifically for people over 50. A carer can ring ahead to find a class at the right level and go along for the first few sessions.Details
  • KnittingKnit and Natter in the local libraryLibraries NI runs free Knit and Natter sessions in branches across Northern Ireland, including libraries in this county, for knitting, crochet and crafts with company. A carer can check the branch listing for the day and time, carry the bag of wool and stay nearby for the first visit.Details

Hobbies and carers who share them in Armagh

At a glance

The ten places side by side

What each place’s own access information confirms. “Ask” means it does not say, not that it is missing.

PlaceTimeCostStep-freeToiletCafé
Navan Centre and FortArmaghhalf a dayPaid entryPartlyYesYes
Armagh Observatory and PlanetariumArmaghan hour or twoPaid entryYesYesYes
Armagh County MuseumArmaghan hour or twoFreeYesYesAsk
St Patrick's Cathedral (Church of Ireland)Armaghan hour or twoCheck pricesYesAskAsk
Gosford Forest ParkMarkethillhalf a dayFreeAskYesAsk
The Palace Demesne Public ParkArmaghan hour or twoFreeAskYesAsk
The MallArmaghan hour or twoFreePartlyYesAsk
Loughgall Country ParkLoughgallan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
St Patrick's Cathedral (Roman Catholic)Armaghan hour or twoFreePartlyAskAsk
The ArgoryMoyhalf a dayPaid entryAskAskAsk

Where the places are in Armagh

The county’s boundary, numbered as on this page, with the main towns for reference.

12345678910
  1. 1Navan Centre and Fort, Armagh
  2. 2Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, Armagh
  3. 3Armagh County Museum, Armagh
  4. 4St Patrick's Cathedral (Church of Ireland), Armagh
  5. 5Gosford Forest Park, Markethill
  6. 6The Palace Demesne Public Park, Armagh
  7. 7The Mall, Armagh
  8. 8Loughgall Country Park, Loughgall
  9. 9St Patrick's Cathedral (Roman Catholic), Armagh
  10. 10The Argory, Moy

What it costs

What a day out with a carer costs in Armagh

Carers in Armagh charge £19 to £22 an hour through PrimeCarers, typically £20, with our fee included. A four-hour outing is about £80 for the carer’s time. Entry, food and parking are extra, and travel costs are only payable if you agree them with the carer in advance, in writing. The cost of home care in Armagh has the full figures.

Photographs on this page are from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each one.

Questions

Questions families ask about days out in Armagh

Navan Centre and Fort in Armagh, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium in Armagh, Armagh County Museum in Armagh, St Patrick's Cathedral (Church of Ireland) in Armagh, Gosford Forest Park in Markethill, The Palace Demesne Public Park in Armagh, The Mall in Armagh, Loughgall Country Park in Loughgall, St Patrick's Cathedral (Roman Catholic) in Armagh and The Argory in Moy. Each has its own section on this page with what its access information confirms, the cost and how long to allow.

The access information for Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, Armagh County Museum and St Patrick's Cathedral (Church of Ireland) describes a step-free route. Navan Centre and Fort, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, Armagh County Museum, Gosford Forest Park, The Palace Demesne Public Park and The Mall have an accessible toilet. Armagh Observatory and Planetarium lends wheelchairs. Access changes, so ring ahead about anything your parent depends on.

Armagh County Museum, Gosford Forest Park, The Palace Demesne Public Park, The Mall, Loughgall Country Park and St Patrick's Cathedral (Roman Catholic). Parking is often charged even where entry is free.

Yes. A companion carer can drive your parent there, walk at their pace, help with the toilet and meals, and bring them home. 8 of the carers with a rate near Armagh drive. Visits are booked by the hour, typically £20 an hour here with our fee included. Companionship care in Armagh shows who is available.

Often. Many attractions let a carer or companion in free, or at a reduced price, with a disabled visitor, and some ask for proof such as a letter or a benefit award. It varies, so check each place’s access or prices page before you go.

Where the nearest carers live

From the profiles of the carers based within about 45 minutes of Armagh

Where the nearest carers live. A carer close to home can manage a longer day out.

Companionship care in the counties around Armagh

Days out in the areas around Armagh

Companionship care by town in Armagh

Each town page shows the carers who list it as home, with their rates and reviews.

Find a carer who could take them out in Armagh

See carers near Armagh who drive, with their photos, interests, rates and reviews. Talking to them is free and nothing is booked until you say so.

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