Like modern telephone directories, in the past business directories contained details of people and businesses. Pigot's directory of 1824 as can be seen below covered a wide area but we have only reproduced the section relevant to Armagh.
Below is the introduction to the Directory.
In the compilation of the directory, now submitted to the public of Ireland, the Proprietors and their agents have experienced many unexpected difficulties, and on that account have to apologise for the delay in its publication. They have been anxious, to compress into this volume all the information possible, and have given a directory of more than two hundred and twenty Cities and Towns, being nearly sixty more than they submitted to the pubic in their printed proposals. Into a work of this kind, notwithstanding the most vigilant attention, errors will make their way, but it is hoped that their number will appear small when the magnitude of the work, and the difficulties inseparable from so extensive an undertaking are considered. This portion of the united kingdom has been comparatively little visited by strangers, and little is known of its internal affairs, except through the medium of the public prints; in the present volume will be found, at the head of each City and Town, an historical and descriptive account, in which is inserted all the general information, that a due regard to brevity would allow. This is followed by Lists of the Nobility, Gentry and Clergy, of the merchants, manufacturers, Traders, &c., with the calling and residence of each individual attached; the public conveyances, both by land and by water, have also been particularly attended to; and there is added an alphabetical reference to all the nobility, Gentry and clergy of Ireland, besides a list of those, resident in Dublin, Respecting the beauty or the type, the neatness of the execution, and the goodness of the paper, little needs be said, as they speak for themselves; and, in these respects, the proprietors can with confidence put it in competition with any work of the kind ever published. The maps of Ireland and of England have been engraved under their own immediate superintendence, and. They have no doubt their having been neatly and correctly executed. In giving the very copious Directory of London, with those of Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Sheffield, the promise which was made has been redeemed; and in presenting a copious historical and directorial account of the isle of Man, a work of superogation has been performed, which, it is hoped, will be gratifying to their friends, and be a convincing proof of their anxiety to serve the public. This island, situated nearly in the centre of the Irish Sea, has lately become a place of very fashionable resort, and the information given will not be unacceptable to those to ho may intend to visit it's shores. The publishers cannot conclude this address without rendering their grateful acknowledgements to several gentleman, who have generously forwarded their views, and rendered them other essential services. If the present undertaking should give that satisfaction, which the extensive list of subscribers gives reason to anticipate, and if, at a future period, an enlarged edition should be called for, the compilers will cheerfully renew their labours, and endeavour to keep pace with the increased expectations of the public. London, 12th August, 1824