Local archive
Crime & Public Safety
First Minister Michelle O’Neill has accused unionist leaders of “triumphalism” after the High Court quashed this year’s Parades Commission restrictions on an Orange Order march at Drumcree. The decision followed a legal challenge by a Portadown Orangeman and has renewed debate over the Garvaghy Road parade.
Education
Lee Gormley is preparing for his next professional boxing bout on September 12, with the Armagh fighter describing himself as a “genuine throwback fighter”.
Crime & Public Safety
A third man has appeared at Newry courthouse as the PSNI continues its crackdown on cold-calling rogue traders targeting elderly people in border areas around Armagh and Newry.
Community Keady
Alderman Paul Berry says Armagh-area businesses linked to Food Heartland hampers have lost promotional opportunities, and has asked ABC Council to revisit how local products are promoted and used as gifts.
Crime & Public Safety Keady
An Armagh man has appeared in court accused of falsely telling emergency services that a bomb had been planted in Keady and assaulting a police officer.
Community Keady
Glenn Chapman and his long-time friend Jason have begun running 40 half-marathons in 40 consecutive days to raise money for the Lighthouse Charity and remember family members lost to suicide.
Sport Loughgall
Former Cliftonville youngster Coran Madden has signed his first professional deal with Premier League club Brentford after making history for the Reds in a 4-0 win against Loughgall.
Culture
Dolly Parton, the singer-songwriter behind “Jolene” and “9 to 5”, has died aged 80, according to a Belfast Telegraph report dated 25 August 2026. Her nephew Bryan Seaver announced her death in an Instagram video. Parton leaves a six-decade career spanning music, film, television, business and philanthropy.
Education Cathedral
Family, friends and generations of musicians gathered at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh to remember Eithne Vallely, who died aged 81 after being struck by a lorry in the Portadown Road area.
Culture
Visitors can book tours of Armagh Observatory on 12 and 13 September 2026, with museum staff set to share the institution’s history and collection treasures.
Business & Openings
Tributes have been paid to Trevor Henderson, who ran The Port chip shop in Portadown with his wife Vivien for more than 30 years before his death on August 23, 2026.
Culture Cathedral
A specially commissioned bust celebrating Armagh-born composer Sir Charles Wood has been unveiled at St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral during the Charles Wood Festival of Music.
Business & Openings
Joanne Shilliday has run The Hole in the Wall in McCrum’s Court since 2007, building on its historic identity while developing craft drinks, festivals and mobile hospitality businesses in Armagh.
Culture Middletown
Family, friends and music communities gathered at St Patrick’s RC Cathedral for the funeral of Armagh traditional musician and teacher Eithne Vallely, who died aged 81 following a road traffic accident on August 21.
Crime & Public Safety Blackwatertown
A County Armagh man accused of carrying out shoddy and overpriced work at an isolated Armagh farm has been refused bail, while a second man linked to the investigation was remanded over alleged witness intimidation.
Sport
Armagh’s Seth Dunwoody will step up to Bahrain Victorious’s WorldTour team for the 2027 season after a breakthrough year that included an Irish national road race title and a European under-23 track championship.
Crime & Public Safety
A man in his 50s has been arrested in Newry following a report of a rogue trader targeting a farm and other properties, after a PSNI operation focused on cold callers and rogue traders across Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon.
Business & Openings City Centre
A planning application has been submitted to convert Unit 39B at The Boulevard, outside Banbridge, into a new Crocs outlet, while the shopping complex is collecting old pairs of the footwear for a promotional archway.
Crime & Public Safety
A multi-agency meeting was held in Lurgan after two dogs were found dead inside a house, as police urged the public to avoid social-media speculation while legal proceedings continue.
Community The Mall
Armagh fundraiser Willie Nugent has published a book marking 40 years since he stood motionless in a Piccadilly shop window for 13 hours, with proceeds going to Little Heroes at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.
Culture
The first-ever bust of Armagh-born composer Charles Wood was unveiled during the city’s annual Charles Wood Festival of Music last week.
Crime & Public Safety Blackwatertown
A 49-year-old Armagh man has been ordered to pay £20 in compensation after admitting criminal damage to a packet of cigarettes during a domestic-related incident, according to a report by Armagh I.
Crime & Public Safety Blackwatertown
A €5,000 reward is being offered for information about an armed robbery at the bureau de change inside Hughes’ shop on the Monaghan Road in Middletown. Police said a man wearing a hood and face covering threatened an employee with what they believe was a small handgun before escaping with cash in a blue Volkswagen Passat without number plates.
Community Blackwatertown
iCare Charity has launched its 2026 Destination Anywhere raffle, with a £3,000 holiday or cash prize and every £10 ticket supporting Air Ambulance Northern Ireland and Make-A-Wish Ireland.
Crime & Public Safety Middletown
Police are appealing for information after a worker was threatened during an armed robbery at a filling station bureau de change in the Monaghan Road area of Middletown, Armagh.
Traffic & Construction
A serious collision has closed the Killuney Road roundabout on the Portadown Road in Armagh, with local diversions in place for motorists.
Business & Openings
Armagh has been ranked 77th in a UK-wide sexual wellness sales analysis by Lovehoney, while Enniskillen placed eighth overall and Dungannon, Newry, Ballyclare and Ballymena also featured prominently.
Traffic & Construction Blackwatertown
A planning application has been submitted to convert 43 Main Street, Blackwatertown, into five self-contained flats, with parking increased from five to nine spaces. The proposal has received support from DfI Roads but a refusal recommendation from NI Water, while the Historic Environment Division is still considering the plans.
Education Markethill
Kate McGrail has drawn on her childhood in Armagh and memories of the Troubles to write Beyond the Wall, a novel exploring violence, anxiety, addiction, humour and recovery. The self-published book is now available locally and online.
Crime & Public Safety Markethill
Police are appealing for witnesses after an employee was held at gunpoint during an armed robbery at a filling station bureau de change on the Monaghan Road area of Middletown around 1pm on Saturday, August 22, 2026. The employee was unharmed but shaken, while the suspect reportedly fled in a blue Volkswagen Passat.
