Study Tour, Armagh [POSTPONED]

Please note: this tour has been postponed owing to the coronavirus outbreak.

We are hoping to reschedule for 2021, and updates will be publicised in due course. Existing bookings will be honoured, or refunded in full upon request.

Short Study Tour 2020 Armagh, Northern Ireland

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Friday 27th – Sunday 29th March 2020

Founded in 1790 by Archbishop Robinson, Armagh Observatory is the oldest scientific institution in Northern Ireland. This weekend visit will provide delegates with the opportunity to explore the site’s instrument collection.

Friday 27th March

  • Delegates arrive in Armagh

Saturday 28th March

  • 9am Observe the daily weather readings [taken since 1795!]
  • 9:30am History of the weather record – John Butler (20 min)
  • 10am Tour of Observatory
  • 11am Examine the Instruments (Part I)
  • 1pm Lunch in Planetarium (sandwiches and coffee)
  • 2pm Saturday Planetarium Show
  • 3pm Examine the Instruments (Part II)
  • 6pm Viewing session with the Grubb telescope (weather permitting)
  • 7pm Return to the hotel
  • 8pm Conference dinner at Armagh City Hotel (delegates to purchase their own drinks)

Sunday 29th March

  • 9am Examine the instruments (Part III)
  • 11:30am Planetarium Show – Director’s Cut
  • 12:30pm Visit to the Robinson Library to see historic books and atlases [15 min walk away] http://armaghrobinsonlibrary.co.uk/wp/
  • 1:30pm End of visit
  • Free time to purchase lunch from nearby cafes/explore Armagh
  • Depart for Belfast Airport (public buses leave at 14.00 and 16.00 from Armagh city centre)

The registration fee for this event is £100 for members and £120 for non-members to include all admission fees, tours, planetarium shows, lunch on Saturday and the conference dinner on the Saturday evening. Delegates will need to arrange their own travel and accommodation.

There are regular public bus services between Belfast and Armagh, see https://www.translink.co.uk/ for details. Tickets are around £16 return per person.There is a range of accommodation available in the city but delegates may wish to consider the Armagh City Hotel (15 min walk to the Observatory) where we have reserved a limited number of rooms at the following rates:

  • Friday 27th March – £109.00 per double / twin & £99.00 per single Bed & Breakfast
  • Saturday 28th March – £139.00 per double / twin and £119.00 per single Bed & Breakfast

If you would like to reserve room(s), please call the hotel directly on and mention reservation reference ‘Scientific Instrument Society/LOUI270320’. The rooms will be reserved for us until 1 month before the event. For details see https://www.armaghcityhotel.com/ or call +44(0) 28 3751 8888.

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