W2B-001 Cultural issues-1.txt
TRIAN TELLS THE ARMAGH STORY

Northern Ireland Easter Special by Clare Ogle

EARLIER this month a year-long celebration entitled 'Armagh Together' got off to an auspicious start in the city's newest tourist development.

Appropriately, the launch-pad for this cross-community marketing initiative was St Patrick's Trian which opened in Armagh's English Street in October last year. This interpretive centre tells 'The Armagh Story' covering the city's history from its prehistoric period to the Georgian era.

Armagh District Council Marketing Assistant, Karen Houlahan, explained the significance of the word Trian (pronounced Tree an).
"In ancient times Armagh was divided into three areas. Trian is Irish for three, and the area where this centre is located was in fact one of those 'trians'.
"As well as 'The Armagh Story' which takes the visitor from pre-Christian times to modern day, St Patrick's Trian also has a children's fantasy area, The Land of Lilliput, based on Jonathan Swift's book, Gulliver's Travels, which was partially written in Armagh."

The size of the new tourist attraction is deceptive. If approached through the Tourist Information Centre on English Street, it suddenly mushrooms in front of the visitor after passing through the courtyard at the rear of the TIC. Visitors also have direct access to the new centre from the adjacent car park.

"Naturally St. Patrick's Trian will play a big part in the year-long 'Armagh Together' celebration with over 200 events taking place to commemorate St Patrick coming to Armagh 1,550 years ago. Hence the opening of St Patrick's TRIAN in time for the launch of Armagh Together," said Karen.

Other characters who played a significant role in Armagh's history line up to meet visitors at the entrance to 'The Armagh Story'.
"Firstly, we have the life-size figure of John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church who preached in Armagh many times. He looks quite diminutive, but he was in fact just five feet tall," explained Karen.
"There is also a scribe who would have played an important part in Armagh's history and Dr William Crolly who was foremost in the construction of the Roman Catholic Cathedral around 1840. The 'modern visitor' figure of the Italian tourist symbolises all of the tourists we hope to welcome to St Patrick's TRIAN and indeed the whole area. Close to the exhibition entrance is a suitably fierce Celtic warrior, guarding the dolmen tomb which is the starting point for the visitor's journey to rediscover the story of Belief - the story of Armagh."

And as we entered the dolmen tomb, thought to have been used for burial purposes, and with audio-visual aids and haunting Clannad-type music, the story of the life and rituals of prehistoric man began to unfold.
"The next chamber contains a model of the original Navan Temple. Navan, in pre-Christian times, was the political and spiritual capital of Ulster. The wrap-around murals tell the story of Navan Fort - Emain Macha - and the mighty Irish warrior, Cu Chulainn," Karen explained.
In the 5th century AD, St Patrick came to Armagh where local chieftain, Daire, gave him a site on which to build a church. After the chieftain's own conversion to Christianity, a prestigious hilltop site was granted and this is where the Church of Ireland Cathedral stands today.

"In this next section, the story of St. Patrick, who came to Armagh around 444 AD, is told. Visitors learn of the success and the consequences of his work and of the story of St Patrick and the fawn on the hill where the Roman Catholic Cathedral now stands. We have two cathedrals of course in Armagh, both named after St Patrick. Further along there are excerpts taken from the Book of Armagh which was written around 807. Unfortunately we don't have the Book of Armagh here as it is in Trinity College Dublin, but we do hope to get a replica of it," said Karen.

In the next chamber, the visitor comes upon scenes of terror as marauding vikings pillage and burn. The impact of viking raids was widely felt during the 9th and 10th centuries with Armagh being destroyed repeatedly. A replica of an ancient Celtic Cross dating from the 11th century (the original can be seen in the Church of Ireland Cathedral) bears witness to scenes of terror as mothers attempt to protect children and monks seek to save church treasures. A wall panel gives details of viking raids carried out in the area.

The visitor next comes to a series of church windows which light-up in sequence as the story of Armagh moves on through medieval times, the Reformation and finally leads the visitor into present-day Armagh.

The last life-size character to introduce himself is "architect and humble servant" Francis Johnston.
"He was responsible for many of the fine Georgian buildings that exits in Armagh today including the impressive Court House which is currently under renovation. Visitors may wonder at his incredibly life-like face with moving mouth and different facial expressions. His 'face' is actually blank and an image is projected onto the model which is really ingenious and quite realistic," said Karen.
The last sequence of colourful murals pick out other attractions in the area that are worth a visit - Navan Fort, The Palace Stables Heritage Centre, the National Trust properties - The Argory and Ardress House, the Observatory and the Planetarium.

"Incidentally, the Planetarium has two new projects underway - an Astropark which has already opened and the Eartharium which officially opens in July," Karen pointed out.

As visitors exit 'The Armagh Story' they come to the craft shop, before setting off along the Granary Mall, the full length of which is dedicated to the Allison Collection of historical photographs. Leaving history behind, the Mall leads to the land of the little people, a constructed castle where a gigantic Gulliver recounts his adventures in the Land of Lilliput.
"Children are just so amazed when they see the size of Gulliver in comparison to the tiny Lilliputians," added Karen. "They 're completely mesmerised as they listen to this friendly giant tell tales of his adventures with the little people."
The final port of call for many will probably be the Pilgrim's Table Restaurant which has a charming conservatory/patio area for al fresco eating on warm days. Notice the marble inlaid plaque marking a visit by Jacques Delours, President of the European Commission on November 3, 1993.

The EC President was one of the early visitors to St Patrick's Trian. By mid-February this year 11,000 people had heard 'The Armagh Story' and shared in Gulliver's adventures. With a packed year ahead celebrating 'Armagh Together' many thousands more are certain to be drawn to the Trian to learn about Armagh's rich heritage.
