Summer 2025

In July of each year the Ballymena u3a Committee organise a trip for the members; last year it was to Hillsborough Castle and Gardens and on 3 July 2025 the group headed to Armagh to spend ‘A Morning on the Hill’.

On arrival in Armagh, the group enjoyed tea and scones in the Armagh City Hotel and then suitably refreshed, headed for St Patrick’s COI Cathedral. Dating from 445 when legend has it that St Patrick built the first church on the hill, the current structure has been renovated and modified many times but the plan is basically that of Archbishop Scanlon whose design dates from 1268. The group were given a guided tour of the building by the Cathedral Steward followed by a visit under the east end of the cathedral into the crypt, which is the oldest part of the structure dating back to the thirteenth century and contains the tombs of archbishops and local family members. On the way to the crypt the group passed the plaque commemorating the burial of Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland, in 1014. He had recognized the church as being the centre of Irish Christianity by making an offering of gold at its altar.

Across the road from the Cathedral is the Armagh Robinson Library built in 1771 by Archbishop Richard Robinson. He was appointed Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland in 1765 and remained in this post until his death in 1794. He was a wealthy man and determined to create a city worthy of being the Christian capital of Ireland. The library was built as part of his vision for a university in the town and he donated over 8,000 books to the collection. It is Northern Ireland’s oldest public library and visitors are allowed to consult old books, maps and manuscripts. The u3a group were shown copies of 1835 Ordnance Survey maps of Ballymena and an old map of County Antrim as well as an original book of Chippendale’s furniture designs and a wonderful botanical book with exquisite illustrations. The library holds a first edition of Dean Jonathan Swift’s “Gulliver’s Travels” annotated by Dean Swift himself which is on display as well as Archbishop Robinson’s archaeological collection.

The group then went on to visit the Catholic St Patrick’s Cathedral which was built on a hill opposite the COI Cathedral. It was constructed in the nineteenth century with the foundation stone being laid on St Patrick’s Day 1840 and the building completed in 1873. The building has been rededicated no less than three times following extensive renovations.  It is a notable example of Gothic Revival architecture, the interior being richly decorated with mosaics and marble and with wonderful stained-glass windows.

Lunch was taken at the Armagh City Hotel and after a full day the group returned to Ballymena after a fascinating day.

Spring 2025

The latest activity was a trip to Glenarm Tulip Festival on Saturday 3 May. Members enjoyed a wonderful display of tulips and the spring flowers in the Walled Garden