See You in 2008

THE 2007 ARMAGH PROJECT was a great success largely due to the efforts of our dedicated students and the cooperation from the Armagh community. Our website with stories, videos and images is now available.

Our videos are also posted on YouTube.

Please feel free to reach out to us with any comments, critiques or corrections regarding this site, the official website or our videos. You can reach photo editor George Miller at gwm3@temple.edu.

For our closing images, we have Saint Patrick's Cathedral (Roman Catholic) on top. The middle image is Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Church of Ireland, as seen through an AMMA Centre window.

Below is a group of young kids photographed by Temple University student Chrissy Doughty.

Thank You, Armagh

FOR THE PAST FOUR weeks, we've been all over the city and the region shooting pictures, making videos and asking a lot of questions.

The people of Armagh have been incredibly gracious to us. Here are just a few of the kind folks who have indulged us during our month in Armagh.

Collections

THE ARMAGH PUBLIC LIBRARY, founded in 1771, is the oldest library in Northern Ireland. The library houses many rare books, including a 1726 first edition of Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels.

The Armagh Sports shop houses (and sells) sports jerseys for many of the city's local teams.

Scenes from Armagh: Laura McKean-Peraza's View

LAURA MCKEAN-PERAZA created these images over the past few weeks during her daily explorations of the city.

The image above is through the window of the Armagh City Hostel during one of the rare days it rained in Ireland.

The Randolph Macon Woman's College student photographed these steps leading to the hill at Navan Fort.

This scene looking down a wet Russell Street was photographed around 7:00 am on Sunday, August 12.

Laura, an aspiring veterinary student, met this cow while trekking home from Navan Fort ... in the rain.

Ulterior Motive

THIS COW mannequin stands in front of an English Street butcher shop.

Brigid Carey Inside the Prison

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY student Brigid Carey had the rare opportunity to tour the defunct Armagh Women's Prison.

The prison housed many political prisoners during the Troubles and was the scene of many protests and hunger strikes. The prison closed in 1986.

Belfast and Beyond

LOYOLA COLLEGE student Juanita Dudhnath traveled to Belfast before catching a ferry to Scotland. She photographed Belfast's City Hall (left) along the way.

The classical renaissance building celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2006. Plans for the building began in 1888 when Queen Victoria designated Belfast as a city, acknowledging the region's rapid growth due to the arrival of linen and other industries.

Juanita created this image of football fans watching a match while on the ferry to Glasgow.

All the Way to Galway

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY student Lauren Hicks created this image on the west coast of Ireland, in Galway, about 200 kilometers from our base in Armagh.

Students completed the bulk of their content last week and then split town. Several went to London. Others traveled to Dublin, Belfast, the Giant's Causeway and elsewhere.

Lauren visited Galway with Temple University student Nora Daly who has family in that region.

Scenes from the Causeway Coast

TOURISTS STARE OUT at Larrybane Bay from Carrick Island in County Antrim. The island is only accessible by a rope bridge. Fisherman started using a rope bridge to get to the island 350 years ago because migrating salmon pass right by the rocks.

The ruins of Dunluce Castle. Formerly the home of the King of Ulster, the castle was abandoned in the 17th century after part of the kitchen fell into the sea while servants were preparing Christmas dinner.

A pair of reenactors firing matchlock muskets at Dunluce Castle.

The Giant's Causeway, which according to legend, was built by Finn McCool, a giant who commanded the King of Ireland's armies. McCool wanted a causeway to Scotland, the legend says, to either meet a woman or to do battle with a Scottish giant.

A surf shop and a church in the town of Portrush.

Colorful homes along the harbor in Portrush.

Visitors enjoying ice cream on a bench along Portrush's East Strand beach front.

A Nation of Storytellers

THERE IS NO such thing as a short conversation with an Irishman. A simple question elicits an answer full of detail, hyperbole, tangential references, humor, speculation, complaints about the weather, and often, a little Irish history.

These gents sat on a bench in front of the AMMA Centre and traded tales for hours a few days ago.

14 Degrees and Raining

THE WEATHER IN Ireland can change by the minute, so today we're watching the clock. Right now, it's drizzling and cold. Who knows what it will be in one hour? The forecast predicts a high of 14 degrees Celsius, which is roughly 57 degrees Fahrenheit.

The ominous clouds hover over a strip of colorful businesses on Thomas Street in the image above.

The Pipes are Calling

DARA VALLELY WELCOMED us into his home, told us tales of old Ireland and played the uillean pipes for us. His troupe, the Armagh Rhymers, perform traditional Irish music, theater and dance around the world.

The Seat of Kings and Queens

SARAH TURNER, A STUDENT from Northeastern State University in Oklahoma, trekked out to the Navan Fort and Centre, the grassy hill about two miles from Armagh where Queen Macha supposedly built a giant Celtic temple in 95 BC.

The site is a large park now, with a visitors center featuring interactive exhibitions.

Mysteriously, someone left a lock of hair on the hill.

This is a member of the Living History Team who resides in the early Christian period dwelling on the Navan grounds.

Content with Content (hopefully)

TODAY IS DEADLINE day for student content, and the lab has been buzzing all day.

Though the final web products won't be completed until next week, videos are already being placed on YouTube. Check them out.

Scenes from the North Coast: Judy Dobler's View

DR. JUDY DOBLER, a Loyola College writing professor, the Armagh Project chief copy editor and budding travel photographer, created these images from the North Coast, the northern-most part of Ireland.

Meg and Apples

TEMPLE UNIVERSITY'S Nora Daly photographed Meg Carey, a Gonzaga University graduate student, partially hidden behind the apple trees on the Brambly Farm just outside of Armagh city.

New Angle on Old Viking Slayer

ARMAGH IS AN old city, in fact, the oldest in Ireland. We're here to put a new spin on the place.

Lauren Hicks, a Gonzaga University student, took drastic steps to photograph this plaque marking the burial site of Brian Boroimhe, the Irish king who drove out the Vikings. Its located on the side of Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Church of Ireland.

Scenes from Northern Ireland: Kyle Saadeh's View

INTREPID PHOTOJOURNALIST Kyle Saadeh, a recent graduate of Roger Williams University in Rhode Island, has been traversing Ireland creating images for PICTURE ARMAGH.

Above is his evening shot of Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Church of Ireland, in Armagh.

This image was created in the tiny village of Ballintoy along the North Coast.

Cate Oliver, a Gonzaga University student, photographed Kyle on the rope bridge in Carrick-A-Rede.

Cricket on The Mall

THE MALL IN Armagh was once a horse track, but now its vast green space near the heart of the city. On any given day, you'll find locals taking advantage of the space by eating lunch in the grass, kicking around a soccer ball or playing cricket.

The Armagh Cricket Club is housed in the park and they have summer camps for children.

Nora Daly's Scenes from the North Coast

TEMPLE UNIVERSITY student Nora Daly traveled with her family to the far reaches of Northern Island, to an area with stunning scenery.

A few hours drive from Armagh, the Giants Causeway is a natural rock formation that leads, mostly under water, to Scotland.

County Antrim is also home to the remains of Dunluce Castle which dates back to the 13th century.

Links Between Religions

WE SEARCHED EVERYWHERE for a place to create a picture of both Saint Patrick's Cathedrals in Armagh in one frame. A kind elderly gentleman who answered an unexpected midday knock on his semi-suburban door suggested we check the Armagh City Golf Club, located south of the city center, off Newry Road.

The Church of Ireland is on the left of the golfer, and the Roman Catholic on the right.

The golf club is a wonderfully lush, green park that cascades down the hill and back up again.

Smile Armagh

TEMPLE UNIVERSITY student Chrissy Doughty (left) and Gonzaga University graduate student Caitlin Robirds shooting video down Scotch Street near Armagh City Centre. Students are now in their third week of the project and stories, images and videos are due by the end of the week.

The entire team, which includes a few new arrivals and one early exiting instructor, posed for a photo at Zio's restaurant yesterday. Not pictured are Margaret McCaliskey, the Irish culture instructor, and George Miller, the photo module instructor (who is on the other side of the camera).

Cork Rolls to Victory

SUPPORTERS OF ARMAGH'S Sean O'Reilly celebrate a strong bowl on Cathedral Road during the Junior B catagory competition of the Road Bowls All Ireland Finals.

Armagh's O'Reilly rolling the first ball (with Armagh Project video instructor Dustin Morrow in the background).

Enthusiasts and gamblers crowd the street while waiting for a roll ...

... and they scatter as the 20 ounce steel ball rolls past.

Hundreds of people followed the event down a long stretch of road. The finals are the culmination of months of competition.

Some people found the long stroll rather tiring.

In the end, it was County Cork's Ger Fitzpatrick who took the championship in the category. He topped O'Reilly by a full roll.

Rainy Day in Ireland (surprise, surprise)

WE HAD BIG plans to attend the All Ireland Road Bowls Finals, and while they are probably happening despite the rain today, we're not going. And since bandwidth is so poor here in the hostel, we're only posting this bucolic image of a road bowling fan watching the competition yesterday.

More tomorrow. Promise.

All Ireland Road Bowl Finals

GER FITZPATRICK from County Cork, shown here launching a roll, defeated Armagh's Sean O'Reilly in the Junior B category of the All Ireland Road Bowls Finals held in Armagh today.

We'll have more images and information from the event tomorrow.

Scenes from Armagh: Andrew Harrington's View

TEMPLE UNIVERSITY STUDENT Andrew Harrington created these images for the Scavenger Hunt assignment. Above is his image of the Setter that has been following students around town. Below is his image of the electric votive candle wall at Saint Patrick's Cathedral (Roman Catholic).



This is Andrew's self-portrait, taking advantage of the window light streaming into his room at the Armagh City Hostel.

Huh?

THIS PHOTO IS brought to you without further comment. Enjoy.

The Scavenger Hunt: Cate Oliver's View

CATE OLIVER, a Gonzaga University graduate student, created this image of traditional performers in CoalIsland (above). Below is her take on a parade through the small town.

Junior League Gaelic Football: Harps vs. Pearse Ogs

MOMENTUM CONTINUALLY switched back and forth as the Harps (in blue) took on Pearse Ogs in an under-14 match on the pitch at Council Fields.



This fan watched the match from above the field, peeking through a gap in the fence.

The Scavenger Hunt: Megan McGovern's View

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY student Megan McGovern created these unusual images of Saint Patrick's Cathedral (Church of Ireland).

Scenes from Armagh: The Scavenger Hunt

HERE ARE MORE images from the students' Photo Scavenger Hunt assignment, which is designed to get students to quickly meet the locals and absorb the culture.

This image was taken by Gonzaga University rising senior Lauren Hicks.

Chrissy Doughty of Temple University made this image of the stained glass windows at Saint Patrick's Cathedral (Roman Catholic).

Bennett College student Janine Quarles photographed this infant up close.

Juanita Dudhnath of Loyola College in Maryland created this abstract image by shooting a pint of beer at close range.

Randolph-Macon Woman's College student Laura McKean-Peraza, an aspiring veterinarian, created this image of a little dog in the bushes.

Scenes from Armagh: Meg Carey's Scavenger Hunt

MEG CAREY CREATED this image of the old Friary on the edge of town.

The Gonzaga University graduate student made this image in the backyard of Roisin Kelly, an Armagh native who is participating in the Armagh Project.

Scenes from Armagh: The Scavenger Hunt

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY student Brigid Carey photographed these traditional performers in the town of Coalisland.

Students submitted images yesterday for their Scavenger Hunt assignment. For the past ten days, they crawled on the ground, stood on chairs, climbed hills, badgered locals and relaxed in pubs, all the while taking pictures that satisfied the rigorous requirements.

Recent Gonzaga grad Caitlin Robirds created the above image inside Red Ned's pub.

Students were also forced to photograph an animal from the animal's perspective. Temple University student Andrew Harrington risked his life to create this image of a yapping pooch.

Brigid Carey created this image of chimneys in Armagh.

Armagh Twilight

FROM THE HOSTEL, Kyle Saadeh, a recent Roger Williams University grad, photographed Saint Patrick's Cathedral (Roman Catholic) at sunset.

Scenes from Armagh: Sarah Turner's View

SARAH TURNER of Northeastern State University in Oklahoma created these images. Above is the view from atop the hill approaching the AMMA Centre.

Louise Hanthorne is pictured here inside the Karine & Co. Jewelry Store.

This is Sarah's detail shot inside Saint Patrick's Cathedral (Roman Catholic).

Sarah photographed Loyola College student and Armagh Project team member Juanita Dudhnath using window light insiide the AMMA Centre.

Lost in the Supermarket

BORED LOCAL kids (L to R) Sean Mullen, 11, Paudy Cullen, 14, and Jackie McQuade, 9, spent the beautiful day yesterday roaming the streets of Armagh, and for a time, hung out in the lobby of the Armagh City Shopping Centre.

Paudy made himself comfortable in a shopping cart while Jackie ate lunch.

Scenes from Armagh: Kyle Saadeh's View

RECENT ROGER WILLIAMS University graduate Kyle Saadeh photographed this woman leaving her business along English Street last week.

He created this image in front of Saint Patrick's Cathedral (Roman Catholic).

Bomb Scare Just a Hoax

MUCH OF CENTRAL Armagh was shut down yesterday after police received a bomb threat.

Market Street through to English Street were evacuated, as was Russell Street, where the mysterious device was located. A bomb sniffing dog was brought in from Belfast to determine whether the threat was real.



These Russell Street workers were forced to wait on the opposite side of The Mall for a few hours.

Go Time!

STUDENTS WRAP up their skills classes today, and they'll begin pounding the streets to work on their stories.

Over the next 19 days, they'll document this small city in words, images and video. The web package should be online shortly after we complete our trip on August 18.

Cool Tunes in Coalisland

ANDREW HARRINGTON MADE this image of traditional Irish performers playing in the Canal End Bar in Coalisland.

Dish TV and Ready to Plow

IN AN UNUSUAL combination of Ireland's past and present, someone along Banbrook Hill Road has a tractor resting in their car parking lot. There are also multiple television dishes. Great reggae music was pouring out the windows.

Lilly in the Sun

THIS IS LILLY, one of dozens of dogs who live along Callan Street (and love to bark), just north of our team hostel.

Tully Sirin Manhandles Lissummon

IF GAELIC FOOTBALL were baseball, today's match between these two Armagh teams would have been postponed several times. It rained on and off during the entire contest, despite patches of blue in the sky.

But Gaelic football is not a sport for the delicate sort. It is rough and tumble, and the players and coaches were constantly cursing at each other (and the referee). Players were banged around, kicked, tripped, shoved, pushed, elbowed and slapped. A few minor skirmishes broke out.

The game is played on a large field - the same one where the camogie match was held a few days ago. Players can grab the ball and maneuver like a runningback, but they must touch the ball with their feet every three steps. They can also dribble the ball like a basketball. They can pass to each other by punching the ball volleyball-style.

Players score by kicking the ball through the field goal posts or into the net.

Tully Sirin (or Tulach Sarain in Irish) rolled over Lissummon (in green jerseys) in a rather lopsided match. The goalkeeper for Tully Sirin spent much of the game talking to friends who were sitting by his net. For a time, an elderly gentleman actually watched the game while leaning on Tully Sirin's goal post.

You Must Remember This

THIS DAPPER GENT lives in the Shambles and can regularly be found hanging out in front of Fat Sam's, a fine place for a sandwich.

Of all the towns in all the world ...

Melancholy Music in the Centre of the City

THIS YOUNG GIRL was playing a toy accordion near the Centre of Armagh yesterday, and her melancholy music wafted all about ... including up to the computer lab at the AMMA Centre.

Scenes from Armagh: Brigid Carey's View

BRIGID CAREY, sister of fellow Armagh Project team member Meg Carey and sister of Cagli Project alumna Annie Carey, has been busy taking pictures around the city for the photo module Scavenger Hunt.

Students must photograph an animal from the animal's prespective, a local person in their home, a local at work, an image from a high angle, an image using window light, a reflection, detail shots, patterns and a self portrait.

Above is Brigid's image of Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Church of Ireand.

These young lads (left) played coy for the camera.

Below, John O'Toole walking his dog along the path near Saint Brigid's school.

Andrew Harrington Reflects on Life

THIS IMAGE was created inside the AMMA Centre by Gonzaga student Lauren Hicks. Andrew is reflected in the window case where the old pendulum is displayed.

The ground floor of the AMMA Centre was originally a market where local products were sold. The building now houses programs in media featuring sound, video, flash and art projects. The building also houses a library.

Meet the Team

OUR FIRST TEAM working in Armagh is completing their first week of classes and will soon begin producing the web documentary of the city.

In addition to students from Temple University, Gonzaga University, Loyola College, Randolph-Macon, Roger Williams and Bennett College, today we were joined by a local Armagh native, Rosin Kelly.

Here, students learn about the history and culture of Armagh from instructor Margaret McAliskey, a lecturer from Trinity College in Dublin.

Student Stalks Locals; Makes Pretty Pics

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY'S Meg Carey followed a pair of young Armagh citizens on a rainy evening and created this charming, moody image.

Scenes from Armagh: Fresh Fish, Tea and Cake Decorations

WEDDING CAKE decorations at The Cake Shop.

Interesting items for sale at the weekly Shambles Market.

Ladies enjoying the morning at the Basement Cafe.

Fresh fish for sale at the Shambles Market and below, the view from the AMMA Centre.

City Rivalry: Crossmaglen Battles St. Brigid's

THE CAMOGIE COMPETITION was fierce among cross town rivals Crossmaglen (in black and yelllow) and St. Brigid's on the pitch near Saint Patrick's cathedral (Roman Catholic).



Camogie is the women's version of men's hurling, an ancient Gaelic sport where men whack each other relentlessly in pursuit of the ball. The women seem just as vicious as they try to smack the ball past their opponent's goalie.

The sticks, known as hurleys, look like oversized field hockey sticks. Players beat each other as they do in lacrosse. The field is the same as a soccer field but players are allowed to pick up the ball in their hand. Then they bat the camogie ball like a baseball.



The pitch is conveniently located behind our hostel, and the sounds of screaming players, fans and coaches can be heard regularly.

Young Footballers Practice for America (sort of)

WE STUMBLED ACROSS a few young footballers last night, kicking the ball on the pitch across from Saint Patrick's Cathedral (Roman Catholic).

Above, Ryan Gamble, age 9.5, reaches for a strong kick from Krta Boyle, 10, with the cathedral looming in the background.

Here young Ryan reacts after blocking an attempt on goal.

Robert McQuade, 11, posed for the camera and proudly announced that his youth team, the Armagh City squad, will be travelling to Boston for a tournament in the fall.

A Day with Saint Patrick

TODAY WE VISITED the Cathedral of Saint Patrick, Church of Ireland, and the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Saint Patrick on the adjacent hill. Above is the Roman Catholic version's exterior. Below is the interior (taking advantage of the beautiful window light ... hello, students?).



This is the Church of Ireland's Saint Patrick's cathedral, situated on what is believed to be the original site where Saint Patrick started his congregation.

The Keg is Kicked

A BEER DISTRIBUTOR rolls a keg to the Hole in the Wall pub near the center of Armagh.

Flowers for a Grey Day

WHILE STUDENTS baked in the steamy classroom all day, locals shopped at the small market that set up right outside the AMMA center today. The area was alive with people buying flowers, vegetables and various household items.

More than 10,000 homes have been flooded in Great Britain because of steady rains over the past week but we here in the North are still enjoying dry weather.

Dog's Home is his Castle

A STRAY DOG wandered along Castle Street in Armagh, a lovely strip of well-maintained old homes. An annoying photographer followed him.

The dog peed on the side of this home, and he watched the photographer the entire time.

When the photographer approached, the dog walked off and peed on the next door down the block.

Framed!

WE HELD OUR FIRST group dinner tonight at Zio, an Italian eatery near the AMMA center. Tomorrow, we will begin classes, talking about lots of fun stuff - including the use of framing in images.

Think about framing the subjects in your images.

Shoot images slowly.

Make conscious decisions every time you snap the shutter.

Cool and Comfortable (let's hope it lasts)

HISTORIC RAINS continue to flood parts of nearby England. The recent storms are being compared to deluges of the 1940's.

Ireland had 43 straight days of rain.

Armagh has been cool and sunny since our arrival two days ago. The puffy clouds have floated overhead but we've only had a few moments of precipitation.

Keep your fingers crossed for us.

No Umbrella Necessary

WE ARE STILL getting acclimated to our new surroundngs, so our images aren't of any significance yet. Story-telling images will be coming soon.

In the meantime, we'll provide you with stolen moments from this charming city.

This image includes a tile design on the side of a bank in Armagh.

Change Starts Here

THIS SCENE IS in the heart of Armagh, near the theater and shopping district.

Welcome to Armagh, Northern Ireland

THE MEMBERS OF the inaugural Armagh Project have arrived here in the oldest city in Ireland.

We'll be posting images and information daily over the next few weeks. Visit often.