Armagh: New series chronicles the 'hidden gems'

"If we take care of our own little pocket of Armagh, it'll make a difference."

Ian and Paula Conroy's story of how they use their garden to remember their late son is one of many featured in a new series to showcase the diversity of the Orchard County.

The four-part documentary, narrated by Armagh-born actor Colin Morgan, begins on Monday and will be available on the BBC iPlayer.

Each episode charts a season.

The locations in The Chronicles of Armagh range from the Armagh Observatory to Gosford Forest Park and agricultural shows.

'It helps us'

From spring to winter, the Conroys are depicted in the variety of ways they use their land; to produce flowers for sale, space for workshops and even an outdoor pool for cold water swimming which features in episode four.

Built by Ian over a summer, it was used for the Irish ice swimming championships after a lake in Camlough had frozen over.

"It was an adventure," Ian told BBC News NI, who pointed out the water temperature on display during filming was a cool three degrees Celsius.

The couple said the activities they run has helped them to grieve for their son Stan, who died aged 13 in 2020 after developing a brain tumour.

Ian and Paula Conroy feature throughout the new series about life in Armagh

It was his love of photography which inspired his parents to expand their garden and open their land to others.

"The more people talk about him and his story the more it helps us," Paula said.

Ian continued: "We had to do something to help us through that.

"Sharing what we have in our back garden and around us, if it's easily in your giving it's not that hard to do."

The series is narrated by Armagh-born actor Colin Morgan, known for his role in Merlin

In the series' first episode, Spring, astronomer Dr Rok Nežič observes the Spring Equinox at Armagh's iconic observatory, a focal point of the city since the 1790s.

The county's birthplace of the Bramley apple, Crannagael House, also features.

In Gosford Forest Park, rangers watch for stags shedding their antlers to show females are close to calving in one episode and in another marvel at the kaleidoscope of colours in the park as summer turns to autumn.

In the autumn episode, Armagh comes into its own, with harvest celebrations and Halloween events such as the Celtic Festival of Samhain at Navan Fort.

The programme also looks at the life of pigeon racer Cyril Beattie, who is seen in one episode competing along with his grandson, and in another in his loft choosing which of his birds to breed.

As the colder weather hits, the Nicholson family at Crannagael House are seen busy decorating their tree, while the Conroys are cutting down theirs.

Shane Kelly, Estates Officer at Armagh Observatory, who features in The Chronicles Of Armagh

In another memorable scene, the Conroys set up a camera on the forest floor to catch local field mice using a miniature replica of their own outdoor furniture.

"To have a private little joke in the forest, to me, was just fabulous," Ian Conroy said.

To recreate it for the filmmakers, he added: "They couldn't believe we got the mouse to appear and actually sit on the chair.

"It's a bit of fun."

Forkhill triathlete Rosie Tennyson tells her story in the new series

Veronica Cunningham, the series' producer and director, from Waddell Media, said "revealing hidden gems and incredible untold human tales" was a key focus of the series.

"The fantastic and diverse characters that we chose to follow in the series do this, and we hope their passion for the landscape around them will once again delight local audiences," she said.

"The Chronicles Of Armagh tells the stories of modern-day Armagh but with a continuous nod to its rich backdrop of antiquity, clearly visible through its iconic buildings and beautiful open spaces.''

The Chronicles of Armagh begins on BBC One Northern Ireland at 20:00 GMT on Monday 19 February. It will also be available on the BBC iPlayer.