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Portadown and Lurgan - two small towns nestled side by side. While they may be just a short drive from each other it’s long been contended that these two towns couldn't be more different if they tried. So, let's take a closer look and see what, if anything, sets these two towns apart.
Historically, both towns have a rich past. Lurgan is home to an impressive calendar style mansion, Brownlow House (aka Lurgan Castle), which has stood for almost 200 years. Perhaps the jewel in Lurgan’s crown is its beautiful park, a sprawling green oasis in the centre of town. It's the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life, and take a stroll surrounded by nature's bounty.
Related: Highlights: Lurgan Park plays host to UK Pipe Band Championships
Peppered across Lurgan are an array of independent retailers, quaint little shops not found anywhere else in the borough. Perhaps these are the legacy of the town’s former connections to the local linen industry?
But then we have Portadown. This town has its own merits. The award-winning People’s Park which, in the last 10 years, has benefitted from £5.4m in redevelopment. Not to mention the town itself sits on the glorious River Bann, which provides a stunning backdrop to the former market town, and acts as an amenity for fishing and water sports.
If engaging with the river isn’t your thing, all you have to do is take a walk along the linear route, Newry Canal Way - if you’re feeling energetic it’s only 20 miles between Portadown and Newry!
Let’s not forget infrastructure. Yes, Portadown has a very centralised train station and unlike Lurgan’s not-so-well-positioned station it doesn’t congest the town’s main thoroughfare. Although Armachians might wish they had that very complaint.
Related: Construction of new Lurgan train station on track to start ‘in autumn 2025’
It's clear that these two towns are quite different, but they both have their own unique flavour. Whether you prefer the hustle and bustle of Portadown, or the charm of Lurgan, there's no denying that these two towns are very individual. But tell us your arguments for each of the towns…
Headlines
Police to return to scene of collision which claimed life of Portadown teenager
District Judge questions jurisdiction in case of Portadown man accused of voyeurism
New ‘rentable’ light manufacturing units planned near Richhill in significant investment
In Pictures: The next generation of Makem and Clancy play packed out concert in Derrynoose
Work underway on new 200-home development in Newry after 10-year wrangle
Armagh woman’s heartbreak after treasured plaque stolen from lifelong friend’s grave
Work underway on new 200-home development in Newry after 10-year wrangle
Crossmaglen man in court accused of cover-up in fatal hit-and-run
Armagh care home to host Summer Fayre to mark emergence from COVID Pandemic
Co Armagh man appears in court on Isle of Man charged with rape
Another alleged sex offender granted anonymity after self-harm threat if named
Giveaway
Congratulations to Geoff Dugan you are this weeks lucky winner of a pair of cinema tickets with Omniplex Cinemas! Contact our office on 028 37 443 043 to arrange collection.
Check out cinema listings here
Look Back
Back in July of 1955, The Portadown News spotlighted school competition winner, Patrick Gillen, for his vision of Portadown’s future.
The then seven-and-a-half year old had taken first prize in Corcrain P.S.’s essay competition for his ‘original and forthright’ views.
In his essay, Patrick writes: “I would like to see Portadown three times the size that it is now and be called a city.
“I would want to see a big sweet factory started for I will still like sweets when I grow up”: he continues and, rather astutely, he alludes to importation costs stating: “This should make sweets cheaper in Portadown”.
He writes: “We might get another station made near the goods station for people getting on and off the trains. Where I stay it is a very long walk to the station, half way to Lurgan”.
Patrick dreamt of many other improvements for the town, some beyond his years and some befitting of a young boy.
Alongside his desire for a local zoo and swimming pool (we would love to hear his thoughts on Cascades), he also wished for a real American cowboy to be brought over so that we could ‘have a look at him’.
Past issues
Craigavon, where does it fit in, what happened to the 1960's vision?...
Tell Patrick from Portadown if he wishes to see a real cowboy, maybe the closest thing would be to search YouTube for videos of 2023 Cowboy Hall of Fame honoree, Boots O'Neal.
He is a US Army Demolitions expert, a Texas Peace Officer, and the cowboy's cowboy at age 91, still a working cowboy.