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.