Lurgan, is a thriving market town, in County Armagh, seventeen miles S.W. from Belfast, and on the line of the Ulster Railway, for which the town is a station. The principal part of the town extends, for nearly a mile, along the Belfast and Armagh road, and is spacious, airy, well built and remarkably clean. That which may be considered the suburban part of Lurgan is extensive, and has extended very much since 1851, principally on account of the increase and extension of the linen and cambric manufacturing, and also the granting of leases in perpetuity by Lord Lurgan. Several new streets are laid off, and are rapidly filling up with buildings, particularly since the introduction of the Towns' Improvement (Ireland) Act, 1854. Brownlow House, the seat of Lord Lurgan, proprietor of the town, extends along the North East of it, and the entrance is by as elegant lodge from near the centre of the street. The mansion was some years ago rebuilt in the Elizabethan style, with beautiful freestone brought from Scotland. The grounds which are generously thrown open to the public, are richly embellished with thriving plantations, reflected in a fine sheet of water, and encompassed by a well kept gravel walk. The Court House is a stone building and the Diaper Hall is a spacious building erected in 1825.

The linen and cambric manufacturer is the staple trade of Lurgan, and in producing the variety of fabrics, as lawns, diapers, damasks (and of late years a large number of persons are employed in the manufacture of cambric handkerchiefs) &c., a large proportion of the population of the town and its vicinity are employed, while some of the establishments of the yarn and linen merchants are extensive. Two noted breweries and the hotels are the other principal establishments. The Belfast Banking Company, the Northern Banking Company, and the Ulster Bank, have each a branch in operation here. A facility of intercourse with Belfast is afforded by Lough Neagh and the Lagan Navigation. The general quarter sessions of the county are held in Lurgan and the petty sessions every alternate Tuesday. A section of the constabulary police is stationed in the town, which has lately been made a first class station.

The parish church of Shankill is a handsome structure, but is to be pulled down immediately, and be replaced by one considerably larger, which will have 2,000 free sittings. There are places of worship for Presbyterians, the Society of Friends and Wesleyan and Primitive Methodists. The Roman Catholic parochial chapel is a Gothic building. The free educational establishments are - a school supported by Erasmus Smith's charity, and an infant school solely supported by Lady Lurgan. A Mechanics' Institute is established in the town. It was originated by William Watson, Esq., of New York, who, while on a visit to his native town, generously offered the princely sum of 1,000 guineas, as a commencement. His brothers, Francis and Hugh Watson, Esqs., most liberally seconded his views, and subscribed £500. The whole £1,500 was to be paid on a similar sum being raised by the inhabitants. Lord Lurgan met this generous offer in a kindred spirit, and the sum of £1,500 has also been subscribed by his Lordship and the other inhabitants. The other charities are a dispensary and a Union Workhouse. The market, which is held on Thursday, is abundantly supplied with provisions, and is besides a considerable one for the manufacturers of the town and district. Fairs, 5th August and 22nd November.

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