‘Our Story of Christmas’ guarantees a real cracker in the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area

By Love Belfast

November 21, 2016

0

armaghs-georgian-day — 28 November 15 - Picture by Darren Kidd / Press Eye. A whopping 25,000-strong crowd celebrated the official countdown to Christmas in Armagh this weekend as the traditional Georgian Day celebrations got under way in the historic city. The event, inspired by ArmaghÕs unique and historic Georgian cityscape, was the largest-ever festival event to be held in Armagh, and included a packed-out, day-long schedule of family-fun events, including horse and carriage rides, traditional singers, food and craft stalls, the new ChildrenÕs Christmas Market, and the famous Georgian Day Light Show. Charlotte McReynolds during the Georgian Day celebrations in Armagh. A Top Turnout for Historic Georgian Day celebrations in Armagh Armagh sparkles with traditional festive family fun as more than 25,000 visitors flock to the city A whopping 25,000-strong crowd celebrated the official countdown to Christmas in Armagh this weekend as the traditional Georgian Day celebrations got under way in the historic city. The event was the largest-ever festival event to be held in Armagh. The annual extravaganza, one of IrelandÕs largest festivals, and inspired by ArmaghÕs unique and historic Georgian cityscape, saw the city transformed into a seasonal winter wonderland. The highlight of the packed-out, day-long schedule of family-fun events was the famous Georgian Day Light Show, ÔTÕwas the Light before ChristmasÕ, at the city's iconic Market House, which brought the centuries-old building to life with a spectacular animated performance. Throughout the day, more than 70 festive stalls had lined the city streets offering locally produced food, drinks and high quality gifts, while Georgian gentry strolled the cobbled streets and stallholders served customers in traditional Georgian outfits against a backdrop of Christmas music and entertainment from local singers. New for the 2015 event was the ChildrenÕs Market atÊthe Shambles Yard, which was home to an amazing array of festive fun including a fantastic range of family-friendly experiences including a carousel, real reindeer, fairground games, crafts, stalls and even a kidsÕ disco! Lord Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon, Darryn Causby, said the event was a perfect start to the Festive season for the many thousands of people who enjoyed the celebrations; ÒArmaghÕs annual Georgian Day event has been attracting record numbers of visitors to the city for more than a decade, and this year is no exception. We are delighted that so many people came to experience the magic and atmosphere of this thrilling event which is one of the highlights of the city's calendar of events. "For many families, the Georgian Day celebrations mark the official countdown to Christmas and the atmosphere, activities and fun of this unrivalled event put all our visitors in the festive spirit with the magic of Christmas celebrated in traditional Georgian style." While Georgian Day marks the start of Christmas in the city, there are still more experiences to come over the next few weeks with Santa and his elves welcoming children of all ages to Navan Centre and FortÊfrom Saturday, December 5th, while also allowing them a sneak peek inside his workshop at McCrumÕs Court.Ê Little Red Riding Hood will be providing unforgettable festive funÊfrom December 4thÊat the Market Place Theatre, while the Armagh Planetarium will be journeying back over 2,000 years to Bethlehem, to discover a scientific explanation for the star the Wise Men followed to find the baby Jesus, in the digital theatre show ÔMystery of the Christmas Star' in a modern re-telling of the Christmas story that will charm and captivate all ages.

Share

Email

ABC Council unwraps cracking Christmas plans

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council has launched an impressive new Christmas programme of unrivalled events, activities and thrilling things to do for this year’s festive season.

Bringing the ‘Our Story of Christmas’ festival programme to life, cities, towns and villages right across the borough will be bursting with magical experiences, lights, music, street entertainment, food, shopping and much, much more.

Garath Keating, Lord Mayor, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, said:

“There’s nothing more festive than a Christmas spent in a unique borough full of things to do, places to eat and visit and experiences that are guaranteed to fire everyone’s imagination. From snow-tubing with Santa in Craigavon, Santa’s Magical Solstice Christmas at the Navan Fort and Centre to Portadown and Lurgan’s Twilight Christmas Markets, there is a real Winter Wonderland of surprises this year.”

Taking in all parts of the borough, including Armagh City, Banbridge, Craigavon, Lurgan and Portadown, locals and visitors from right across Northern Ireland and beyond can expect their best-ever festive experience that will make this year’s Christmas season one to remember.

The official programme is packed with events and includes Armagh’s world famous Georgian Day on Saturday 26^th November, Jenny Bristow’s Christmas at Banbridge Old Town Hall, a Cinderella Panto Spectacular, a live nativity at Tannaghmore Animal Farm, the mystery of the Christmas Star at Armagh Planetarium and an atmosphere-filled range of Christmas twilight markets, magically-crafty workshops and seasonal music.

Garath added:

“An area which encompasses some of the best and bustlingly-friendly towns and villages, we’re at the top of our game during the festive period and we’re delighted to boast a unique Christmas offering for everyone this year. We have even got your Christmas shopping all wrapped up, so relax and let the good tidings roll!”

Relish in a Christmas made simple with a selection of events to choose from and it’s never too early to start preparing.

Armagh’s Georgian Day provides one of the UK and Ireland’s most unique seasonal experiences as the cathedral city prepares to step back in time a sparkling display of fun, food and festivities on Friday 25^th and Saturday 26^th November.

Fans of tradition, heritage, food and live entertainment are set to make Armagh’s historic Georgian Day experience their most memorable yet as Northern Ireland’s largest outdoor festive event returns.

The two-day event marks the official start to the Christmas season, with the already sold out Georgian inspired Banquet at the Archbishop’s Palace on Friday 25^th November and Armagh City’s Georgian Day on Saturday 26^th November which has already welcomed more than 250,000 visitors since its inception to this standout unique event.

This year’s illuminating, dramatic light show packs a punch which is guaranteed to create brand new Christmas memories for children and adults alike after a family day out filled with festive music, traditional carols, horse-drawn carriage rides, guided walking tours and more.

Transporting everyone back to traditional Georgian times in a festive atmosphere thick with the smells of mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, mince pies, apple juice and local award winning ciders, this year’s Georgian Day is welcoming a record 80 stallholders to fill the city’s historic cobbled streets.

“After more than a decade of growth, Georgian Day is now an official part of the cultural fabric of this great city,” said Lord Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough, Councillor Garath Keating.

“Georgian Day not only celebrates our enviable historic past, majestic streetscapes and iconic buildings and façades, it really is the best time of the year to start your countdown to Christmas and enjoy a knockout day for all the family. If you’re visiting the city for the first time this year, we guarantee you’ll want to come back to experience what is a real, runaway success.”

Visitors and locals can enjoy the opportunity to gain access to many of Armagh’s stunning Georgian buildings, and for the first time Armagh Courthouse, with a guided tour and a mock Georgian trial taking place.

For history buffs on Friday 25^th November, renowned local historian Eric Villiers a captivating insight into the Armagh Bronte connection in the magnificent Armagh Public Library at 1pm and the fascinating lecture by Professor Curl on the finest collection of Georgian monuments in St. Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral at 7.30pm, tickets are available online.

On Saturday 26^th November, green fingered specialist and historical Gardener Michael Brown will deliver a talk on Georgian Gardens and Capability Brown in the Palace Armagh at 7.30pm and for aspiring interior designers why not learn to make Georgian Wallpaper at the printing workshop in The Market Place Theatre at 11am. Tickets for these events are available to purchase online.

Why not also venture beyond the city centre and visit the Children’s Georgian Market which will provide an unforgettable experience with a special programme including nostalgic fairground games and rides, real reindeer, fire performances, workshops and numerous craft and gift stalls, all ensuring the Shambles Yard will be a hive of laughter, games and fun, and lots of food!

Armagh is rightfully recognised as a leading region in the production and growing of top quality produce, with the hot food village on Georgian Day showcasing the fantastic variety of tastes and flavours available throughout the Orchard County.

Whether food stalls at the Hot Food Village, or demonstrations by Food Heartland chefs, there will be opportunities to sample and purchase the sweet and savoury delights from across the county.

For more information on Georgian Day, and on all the festive events taking place, visit www.ourstoryofchristmas.com
To find out what is on near you, and to download the full programme, visit www.ourstoryofchristmas.com.