Argir



Argir (Arge) is a village in the Faroe Islands.

Argir most likely takes its name from Old Irish airge meaning summer pasture.; several placenames in Faroe carry the same name with this meaning. Once a village south of Tórshavn, Argir has grown and is now merged with Tórshavn. In 1997 it joined the municipality of Tórshavn.

In recent years more houses have been built in Argir and the village, or quarter, has grown upwards into the hills. This area has views over the sea and the capital.

There is a boat harbour with boathouses in Argir and a church which was built in 1974.

From the 16th century until 1750 there was a leprosy-hospital in Argir. Some paupers lived there too. When the hospital closed the building was turned into a workhouse for the poor. on the 9th of may in 1828 a man named Andreas Mortensen (1794-1875) bought Argir in an auction for 1005 "ríkis dálar". He moved there with his family and lived there until he died, his descendants have been a big part in the towns history and a memorial stone was raised on the 9th of may 1948 in his honour.

Argir's football team is called AB (Argja Bóltfelag). Argir has a rowing club called Argja Róðrarfelag; its boats are red and have a dragon head on the prow.