Royal Mail Christmas stamp collection features St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh

St Patrick’s Cathedral is one of two cathedrals that the city of Armagh is known for.

The Church of Ireland cathedral stands on the hill from which the city derives its name – Ard Mhacha, the Height of Macha.

St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral sits less than half a mile away on the neighbouring hill.

According to tradition, St Patrick came to Armagh and asked the local chieftain for the land to build a church.

After initially being refused, he was given the site and built his first church in 445 AD.

The current Church of Ireland cathedral sits on the same land as the original church built by St Patrick, which he ordained should have pre-eminence over all the churches of Ireland.

To this day Armagh remains the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland.