ancient and modern

ARMAGH The ecclesiastical capital of Ireland, with two cathedrals both dedicated to St Patrick. Its Georgian terraces and public buildings recall that the city was the home of Francis Johnston whose fame mainly rests on his later work in Dublin. There are two small museums in the Mall; but Armagh's great tourist attraction is now its Planetarium and Hall of Astronomy, unique in Ireland.

RICHHILL One the north's prettiest villages, with an elegant castle and church in the middle. Surrounded by apple orchards and furniture workshops.

GOSFORD CASTLE FOREST PARK Swift spent holidays in the Acheson Manor that preceded the castle and helped to lay out the garden ( as he told Pope in a letter). It has a miniature round tower built by German prisoners of war.

NAVAN FORT By the roadside just past Armagh city. Said to have been designed as her palace by Queen Macha, it was the rival of Tara. Cuchullain and the Red Branch knights were its heroes. The great mound is under continuos examination by archaeologist to clarify Ireland's remotest past.

GLASLOUGH Attractive estate village in Monaghan that was the home of Shane Leslie. The castle is now an equestrian centre.

MONAGHAN The country town, with St McCartan's Cathedral and interesting churches. Rossmore Forest Park and interesting churches. Rossmore Forest Park offering splendid views is on the outskirts. The Cross of clogher can be seen at St McCartan's College and there is also a county museum. Native town of Gavin Duffy, founder the 'The Nation" newspaper and later prime minister of Victoria , Australia.

CASTLEBLAYNEY By Lough Muckno, perhaps the most beautiful of Monaghan's many lakes. The forested shores have nature trails and the district has numerous archaeological sites. Inquire for the Mullandhoy toothache-curing tree.

CARRICKMACROSS The synonym for Irish handmade lace. Seven miles east is Inniskeen, birthplace of the poet Patrick Kavanagh, which has a folk museum, round tower and traces of a 6th century monastery. Channon Rock marks the line of the Norman Pale enclosing Dublin.

KINGSCOURT Beside romantic Dun- a -Ri Forest Park, whose wishing- well is celebrated in song.

SHERCOCK On the shore of Lough Sillan, noted for large pike, with a caravan park.

COOTEHILL Between the Annaly and Dromore rivers and with a little lake district all its own running east for 10 miles to Ballybay, with the Dartry Estate and Billy Fox Memorial Park . Rockcorry on the lakeside was the birthplace of Jr Gregg. pioneer of shorthand writing.

NEWBLISS A quiet village surrounded by hills, woodlands and lakes and streams full of fish.

CLONES Agricultural market town in Monaghan , with a 10th century cross at the centre. Also has a round tower, golfing fishing and leafy shades of Analore.

COONEEN Crossing the Fermanagh border at Clontivrin, turn sharp north to the Slieve Beagh mountains. Beyond the splendid Canrmore Vieiwpoint, the road descends to the hamlet (home of a famous ghost) of Cooneen - where once again lace is made, this time the Fermanagh kind.

THE CLOGHER VALLEY Swift secretly married Stella in the garden of Clogher Deanery. One can see , south of Clofher, Brackenbridge's Folly , a tall monument to himself built by an unpopular squire. And south of Augher, at Springtown , now can seek the cottage - birthplace of William Carleton, the 'Irish Dickens'

AUGHNACLOY A wide streeted village to which crowds flock on Wednesdays for the lively market. From here to Benburb the route traverses road bowls country. The game is played with an iron ball , only in Armagh and Cork, only on Sundays, and always exhilarating.

BENBURB Beautifully situated on the edge of the Blackwater gorge with its succession of weirs , a canoeist\s delight. The artistically talented brothers of the Servite Friary welcome visitors and can direct them to ruined Benburb Castle where O'Neills and English often disputed the crossing of the Blackwater.

MOY a charming village modelled on Marengo, in Italy The route then returns through 'the orchard of Ulster' to Armagh.