Armagh Robinson Library: Reading For Days

Armagh Robinson Library, previously known as Armagh Public Library, is the oldest library in Northern Ireland. Founded in 1771 by Archbishop Robinson, an Anglo-Irish churchman who came to Ireland as a chaplain (traditionally a representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a school, hospital or prison) to the Duke of Dorset in 1751, it was built in a Classical-Georgian style as part of a plan to establish a university in the area. 

Archbishop Robinson also oversaw the funding of Armagh’s County Infirmary in 1774, donated land for the building of a new prison in 1780, and founded the Armagh Planetarium and Observatory in 1790, which he hoped to be an integral part of Armagh’s university life. 

The library was filled with Archbishop Robinson’s rich personal collection from the 17th and 18th centuries: this included books on theology, philosophy, medicine, history and the law, and journals of voyages and travels. 

Hoping to emphasise how important he believed books and access to them to be, Archbishop Robinson had a Greek inscription carved in stone above the library’s entrance. Its message still resonates today: “the healing place of the soul.” The library is a short walk from Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, the city’s pride.

Preserver of some of the world’s oldest books 

Armagh Robinson Library is home to over 43,000 books, most dating from pre-1800 and providing fascinating insight into Europe’s changing intellectual climate since 1500. 

The Library has a wide array of valuable books on its walls, including incunables (a book, pamphlet, or broadside printed in Europe before 1551), first editions, and illuminated manuscripts; these were hand-made books produced in Western Europe between c. 500 and c. 1600 ce., usually on Christian scripture and practice. They were so named because the manufacturers used gold and silver to illuminate the texts and illustrations. 

Historical Collections 

Armagh Robinson Library holds more than just books. A registered museum (granted in 2001), it is the home of ancient Irish artefacts such as stone axes, flint arrowheads, and bronze implements. It also has a collection of rare coins, medals, and gems.

It also houses fantastic resources for amateur family historians and local, national, and international scholars. Resources available include clerical documents that can be used to trace ancestry, old maps, books and other documents relating to Armagh City and the more comprehensive County, Irish church history, and Saint Patrick (Armagh is known as the Ecclesiastical capital of Ireland, the city of saints and scholars). 

Famous Faces

The library also features books previously owned by famous literary figures. Books belonging to English writer and Anglican cleric John Donne (1572 – 1631), most notable today for his metaphysical poetry, and English playwright and poet Ben Jonson (1572 – 1637), who popularised the comedy of humour through his satirical works, are displayed for the public to view. 

The library also preserves the most extensive known collection of books owned by one of the most important and influential book collectors of the 17th century, 2nd Viscount Edward Conway (1594 – 1655). Conway was an English politician, military commander, and a renowned bibliophile who loved and often read books. He was fascinated by English literature, particularly with the works of his contemporaries John Donne, Ben Jonson, Sir John Beaumont, Michael Drayton and Sir John Suckling. Conway’s London library contained over 5,000 volumes, and his library at Lisnagarvey (modern Lisburn) in County Antrim contained almost 10,000 books and manuscripts. Many of these are now kept at Armagh Robinson Library. 

Jonathan Swift 

Perhaps the most valuable part of the Armagh Robinson Library’s collection is its valuable Jonathan Swift books and manuscripts. Swift was an Anglo-Irish writer, satirist, essayist, political pamphleteer, poet, and cleric. His work was characterised by irony and a deadpan approach, and his specific brand of satire was termed Swiftian. 

Armagh Robinson Library holds a first-edition copy of Swift’s most famous work, Gulliver’s Travels, published by Benjamin Motte in 1726. The library’s copy includes hand-written notes in the margins by Swift, who angrily corrected some printing errors that appeared in the first edition (he later had these amended in the second edition). It is a rare treasure.

A Hidden Gem: No. 5 Vicar’s Hill 

Just a short walk from Armagh Robinson Library lies one of the city’s hidden gems: No. 5 Vicar’s Hill. This humble dwelling looks ordinary and unremarkable from the outside, but inside, it opens into two beautiful octagonal rooms with vaulted ceilings. 

No. 5 Vicar’s Hill was built by Archbishop Robinson in 1772 as the Diocesan Registry to hold Church of Ireland and Civic records. It was lovingly restored in 2011 to exhibit the Library’s collection of Roman and Medieval coins, Neolithic stone tools, ancient gems, Christian artefacts, Bronze Age weapons, Irish handbells and a selection of 18th-century fine art. It is also the home of old maps of Armagh, which provide an insight into the city’s settlement plans and patterns from 1600 onwards. No. 5 Vicar’s Hill also has a timeline that illustrates the city’s historical journey, including Saint Patrick and the arrival of the Vikings. 

This unique space is also child-friendly with interactive touch screens where they can answer quiz questions and explore ancient Armagh, replicas of ancient coins for young visitors to see and hold up close, and activity sheets where they can learn to write their names in Ogham, the earliest form of the Irish language. 

Fit for Reading: The Armagh Robinson Library

Armagh Robinson Library is in the Library House on Abbey Street in Armagh. The opening times are Monday to Friday, from 10 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 4 pm. All admissions are free, but they are very grateful for donations. Vicar’s Hill is also open to the general public but has seasonal opening hours. Winter hours are from 10 October to 31 March and are Thursday to Saturday each week. Summer hours are from 1 April to 30 September and are Tuesday to Saturday each week. They are also free admission, and donations are very welcome. Guided tours are available on request at £2 per person, though this must be pre-booked for groups. 

A Place of Quiet Reflection

One of the most compelling aspects of Armagh Robinson Library is the sense of peace that permeates the building. In an age where information is often overwhelming and fast-paced, the library offers a sanctuary of calm where visitors can take their time to explore, think, and reflect.

For many, the library’s reading room is the institution’s heart. Here, visitors can sit at large wooden tables and study silently, surrounded by books and the soft rustle of pages turning. The reading room’s atmosphere is one of quiet contemplation, providing an ideal environment for those seeking to immerse themselves in research or simply enjoy reading.

Visitors often remark on the unique reading experience in a space essentially unchanged for centuries. The knowledge that generations of readers have sat in the same room, consulting the same books, creates a deep sense of continuity and connection with the past.

The Library’s Legacy

Armagh Robinson Library has survived over 250 years, from the social and political upheavals of the 18th and 19th centuries to the technological transformations of the 21st century. Its continued existence is a testament to the enduring importance of libraries as places of learning, discovery, and community.

Today, the library symbolizes Richard Robinson’s vision and the intellectual and cultural aspirations of his time. However, it also continues to evolve, adapting to the needs of modern readers while preserving its historic character.

As visitors explore its collections, study its manuscripts, and admire its artefacts, they engage with a learning tradition that spans centuries. Whether they are scholars researching the Enlightenment, tourists curious about local history, or book lovers seeking a quiet space to read, Armagh Robinson Library offers something for everyone.

Conclusion: A Treasure of Armagh

Armagh Robinson Library is more than just a repository of books and manuscripts; it is a living institution that continues to inspire curiosity and learning. With its rich collections, beautiful architecture, and deep connection to Armagh’s history, the library remains vital to Northern Ireland’s cultural heritage.

Armagh Robinson Library offers the perfect setting for days of reading, reflection, and discovery for those who love books, history, and the pursuit of knowledge. As it continues to evolve in the modern era, the library stands as a reminder of the timeless value of learning and the enduring power of the written word.