Tours of Armagh Gaol could be included in this year’s Georgian Festival celebrations after it was confirmed funding had been awarded to expand festivities in the city.
ABC Council – which hosts the major festival at the end of November – had submitted an application to Tourism NI’s International Events Fund to “support the enhancement of the Armagh Georgian Festival 2026”.
The Georgian Festival is due to take place from November 26 to 29.
And, at the September sitting of council’s economic development and regeneration committee, confirmation came that a further £30,000 had been secured to boost what is planned.
A report to committee confirmed: “The £30,000 funding offer is on the basis of spend towards participant costs, production and venues and for marketing and promotion purposes.
“Programme planning is well advanced with tickets available for online booking. As in 2025, this funding will assist with extended opening hours and the introduction of additional free and ticketed activities on Friday evening and Sunday. These enhancements are designed to provide further incentives for visitors to extend their stays.”
Speaking at committee, Brian Johnston, Head Tourism, Arts and Culture, said: “This is in effect about additionality to the event and stretching the festival over the weekend, so more events on the Friday and the Sunday.”
And he also confirmed consideration was currently being given to opening up Armagh Gaol with public tours over the course of the weekend.
SDLP Councillor Thomas O’Hanlon welcomed the additional support for the popular Georgian Festival.
He said: “It’s a good day for the businesses in Armagh and, as always, it’s important about stretching the footprint of the festival throughout the city, and not just into a couple of streets, particularly down around the Shambles. I’m happy to see this progress.”
DUP Alderman Stephen Moutray said he had not attended the Georgian Festival until last year, while Lord Mayor, and was full of praise for what he witnessed.
“I think this is an outstanding series of events thrown over the weekend,” he added. “It is unique and it spreads over such a large area of Armagh city.
“There’s an awful lot of work obviously goes in by an awful lot of staff within this council and it is to their enormous credit, and I’m glad to see that we’ve attained the grant again.
“I hope it goes well this year again and I hope to be back with family, because it really was something else.”
Councillor Kyle Savage agreed and praised all the efforts by council staff across the board for making it such a success.
“It is absolutely mind-blowing the work that has to go into these events,” he said.
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