Plans to develop Christian heritage tourism in Armagh, Northern Ireland, by bringing the story of St Patrick to life have received £500,000 from the province's government.

Northern Irish tourism minister Arlene Foster revealed that three projects - at Dawson Street and Cathedral Road; Armagh County Museum and the Registry Building - will receive a share of the cash injection. Through the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) Tourism Development Scheme, a bid to create a main walking trail between the two St Patrick's cathedrals on Dawson Street and Cathedral Road will net £195,000.

A further £125,000 will be invested in improvements to Armagh County Museum, including a redesign of the entrance and ground floor and the installation of new exhibitions. The restoration of the Registry, which dates back to 1772 and was used to hold records for the cathedral and local diocese, will be handed nearly £181,500, with a new interpretative centre set to be created.

Foster said: "The NITB Signature Projects were identified for their potential to stand out internationally and the Christian Heritage of Saint Patrick has the potential to attract many visitors to the Armagh/Down area. "The future of our Christian heritage is dynamic and through projects such as this, bringing Saint Patrick's story to life, Northern Ireland can constantly evolve as a unique destination."