The book originated in Armagh County Museum as part of ABC Council’s response to ‘2018 European Year of Cultural Heritage’. Sean Barden worked with heritage sites across Armagh and the focus became buildings associated with Armagh’s Primates. The book is illustrated with images drawn from the collections of the Armagh Observatory, the Cardinal O Fiaich Library, the County Museum and the Robinson Library; all four collaborated to create the text. Only material held in Armagh was used, which has resulted in a unique archive which is accessible online and which also safeguards the collections for the future.
The book is seen as a way of taking a fresh look at Armagh’s built heritage; the focus on how the Primates steered the development of the city underscores the distinctiveness of Armagh, whilst also demonstrating it as a centre of learning and culture.