A is for ARMAGH

Armagh is a wonderful place. Known as the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland it achieves its city status because of the two magnificent cathedrals that stare at each other from the top of neighbouring hills. The fact that they both claim to be St. Patrick's offers some insight into the religious and political divisions which have undermined our little country for too long. If you had the time, a scenic walk around the city would expose you to a whole range of denominations, keen to protect their scriptural interpretations and most claiming to be a little closer to the truth than their neighbours or at least, a little less wrong. The Mall, a beautiful green haven, surrounded by trees and a recently renovated pathway, on which the locals spread the word about stumps, pads and boundaries and where little pockets of senior pupils from the neighbouring schools congregate in the summer months of the academic year, is home to several ornate buildings, which historically have nutured the faiths of thousands of the city residents. It has provided the backdrop for the arrival of distinguished visitors, Queen Elizabeth and President Clinton, amongst the guest list and is flanked at its two ends, somewhat ironically, by a jail and a courthouse which stare at each other from different viewpoints.

The city may have some distance to travel to become the culinary capital of the island but it does play host to an increasingly cosmopolitan taste with an Australian restaurant being the latest addition to the Italian, Chinese, French, Indian, American and more local cuisines already on offer.

To me, Armagh is special, the city of my alma mater and that of my wife and sons, my rugby seat of learning and subsequent exploits with the oval ball, home to the Rainbow cafe and Johnston's Bakery and the birthplace of my mother, a place, despite all its troubles, where I feel safe and at ease among many friends. The wonderful thing about it is that the passage of time has not altered its appearance nor changed it beyond recognition so that infrequent visitors can quickly reacquaint themselves with its beauty and locations. How great a reminder to us then, that Jesus is 'the same, yesterday, today and for ever' (Hebrews 13 v 8), which is a lot longer than Armagh has been around, and the God whom my forefathers worshipped centuries, decades and years ago in the cathedrals, church buildings and gospel halls around the city is exactly the same person who calls me to be more like him. See for yourself!