Apples remain at the core of Armagh tourism

John Nicholson says what that started off as a pip in the pot is now a major business

A descendant of the original Bramley apple tree first planted in Armagh 140 years ago was last week planted at the same farm, by the descendants of both grower and landowner.

In 1884, Henry Joseph Nicholson of Crannagael House near Portadown became aware of a new type of apple thriving in Southwell, Nottinghamshire.

That tree was being popularised by Henry Merryweather.

According to Henry Joseph’s great-grandson John Nicholson what happened next changed the county forever.

In 2024, apples remain a mainstay of industry and the tourism draw to the Orchard County.

'Major industry in Armagh'

“My great-grandfather was in the linen trade and in 1884 he brought 60 seedling trees back to Armagh, and that started a big revolution,” John said.

“What started off as a pip in the pot is now a major business.”

He is not wrong. Armagh is now home to 4,000 acres of orchard.

In 2012, the Armagh Bramley was awarded Protected Geographical Indication (PGI).

Next week, the apple will take centre stage at the country’s annual Food and Cider Festival.

Ahead of that John welcomed Roger Merryweather – the great-grandson of Henry Merryweather to Crannagael to plant a descendant of the original mother tree.

“They really brought about quite a major industry in Armagh,” Roger said of his and John’s ancestors.

Roger Merryweather is proud of his family's connections to the apple trade

“It's really quite wonderful to be here, 140 years later and planting a young tree, which has been taken from that original Bramley from where all the Bramleys have come from.

"The original tree is still alive and still fruiting. it's a little bit sorry for itself now, obviously it's well over 200 years old, and sadly, honey fungus has affected some of the root system, but I saw the tree only the day before I came here. There's still a lot of, quite a lot of green growth on the top, and amazingly, quite a good crop of Bramleys on it.”

That food and cider festival is one of three main festivals Armagh tries to build its tourism product on – the other two leaning on the city’s strong connections to St Patrick and the architectural splendour of the Georgian era in the city.

Henry Joseph Nicholson imported the first Bramley seedings to Armagh in the 1880s

According to the local council’s events manager, Gill Robb, like its apples, the region is trying to grow a major tourism product.

“There is so much on offer in and around Armagh,” she said.

“There’s the Navan, the Cathedrals, the Planetarium – so there’s huge scope for further growth and investment.

"Festivals are a great driver to bring people in to enjoy what’s here.”

If there is a stumbling block to Armagh achieving its tourism potential it is poor transport links and a perceived shortage of hotel beds.

The city is currently home to two hotels. Local tour guide Donna Fox believes there is considerable scope for more.

“I work full-time at this and the only time of the year that is slack for me is January,” she said.

“It wasn’t always like that. I became a tour guide in 1997 and there weren’t too many people coming here then, so it’s really grown.

“You have international visitors coming here, people from down south, from across the water, and get a lot of local people. But I think a better public transport network would bring more visitors here.

"I think that's the that's the main problem.”

Bramley apples, cathedrals and museums make up much of the city's tourism offering

Museums and cathedrals

The recent All-Ireland rail review recommended that a train line to Armagh be re-instated.

That would take considerable time but Donna believes it would offer long-term benefits.

“It would make it more accessible. You could jump on a train in Dublin or Belfast and get here within an hour, an hour and a half. So that would really encourage more visitors to come here," she explained.

“I think if we had more hotel rooms and other types of self-catering as well, where we have some glamping sites, new campsites as well, but we can expand on this and be able to accommodate more people.”

Tourists from County Offaly said they enjoyed their trip to Armagh city

On a blustery August week day the city was not packed with tourists – but there were plenty to be seen moving between the museums and cathedrals.

Among them were a group of women from County Offaly, including Fiona Smith and Margaret Treacy. Their reasons for visiting the city were sporting – but they had a few recommendations for the powers that be.

“It’s lovely, very nice, the people are very friendly,” said Fiona.

“We stayed in the hotel last night and the staff were lovely – it’s just the parking on the main street is only for an hour and if you’re a tourist you don’t know that.”

According to Margaret: “We were looking a weekend away and we just fancied somewhere different to go – and Armagh won the All-Ireland final and we’re getting a jersey for the grandchild.”

As well as the rail review, there are hopes in the city that both the planetarium and Navan can secure UNESCO World Heritage Status – something that like the Bramleys can help the tourism sector really grow.