Lurgan is a thriving market town, in County Armagh, 20 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 upwards of 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 an 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 generally 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 manufactur 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 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 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 Shankhill is a handsome structure. 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. The Model school cost £8,000; opened March, 1863; built to accommodate 600 children. A Mechanic's 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, Esq., 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. Population in 1861, 7,766.

1863-64 DIRECTORY FOR LURGAN PUBLIC OFFICERS, INSTITUTIONS,

Town Commissioners for 1863

Lurgan	Lord	Chairman - Town Commission
Donnelly	Arthur	Town Commissioner
Ross	John	Town Commissioner
Hancock	John	Town Commissioner
Carrick	George	Town Commissioner
Moore	D.	Town Commissioner
Shaw	William	Town Commissioner
Harper	James	Town Commissioner
Glass	James	Town Commissioner
Heron	William	Town Commissioner
Macoun	William	Town Commissioner
Henderson	James	Town Commissioner
Wells	Matthew	Town Commissioner
May	George	Town Commissioner
Conn	Joseph	Town Commissioner

Town Officers:

(Treasurer - Northern Banking Company)
Pentland	William	Auditor
Anderson	James	Auditor
Rankin	H. (C.E.)	Surveyor and Town Clerk
McShane	Henry	Collector of Town Rates
Malone	Bryan	Inspector of Nuisances, Town Sergeant, &c.
McCorry	William	Scavenger

Post Office, Main Street – Mails are made up as follows :- For Lisburn and Belfast, 7.10 a.m. ; England, Dublin, South and West of Ireland, Belfast and Scotland, 12.15 p.m. ; Portadown, Armagh, Enniskillen, &c., 9.30p.m.; Dublin, Belfast, and England, 8.45 p.m.; letters can be posted ten minutes later than the times here named by affixing the additional postage stamp, such letters to be given in at the window; deliveries commence at 7.15 a.m., 9.15 a.m., and 1.15 p.m.; on Sunday there is but one delivery, commencing at 8 a.m. – delivery at the window till 10 a.m.; money orders are granted from 7 a.m. till 6 p.m.

Convayences Trains leave Lurgan daily for Belfast at 8.5, 10.15, 12.27, 5.30, 8.20 ; and Belfast for Armagh, via Lurgan, 7, 8, 11, 1, 4.30, 9.30; the 7, 1, and 4.30 trains take passengers to Dublin. On Sundays trains leave Lurgan for Belfast at 9.15, 5, and 7.50; and trains leave Belfast for Armagh, via Lurgan, 9, 3.30, and 7.15.

UNION WORKHOUSE
Despard	Edward	Master - Union Workhouse
Anderson	Miss	Matron - Union Workhouse
Ruddell	George	Relieving Officer - Union Workhouse
Ruddell	James	Clerk - Union Workhouse
COURTHOUSE
Malone	Brian	Keeper, Courthouse - Market Street
BRIDEWELL
Neill	William	Keeper, Bridewell - William Street
CONSTABULARY STATION
McCarron	Neal	Head Constable - Constabulary Station
DISPENSARY
Hannay	Robert S.	Surgeon, Dispensary - Market Street
STAMP OFFICE
Murphy	James	Sub-distributor, Stamp Office - William Street
BELFAST BANK
Fairs	William	Manager, Belfast Bank - High Street
Patterson	Thomas R.	Accountant and Cashier, Belfast Bank - High Street
Wynne	M. S.	Assistant, Belfast Bank - High Street
NORTHERN BANK
Megary	H.	Manager, Northern Bank - Market Street
ULSTER BANK
Brown	William	Manager, Ulster Bank - Market Street
Cardwell	J. A. Roebuck	Cashier and Accountant, Ulster Bank - Market Street
PENNY SAVINGS BANK (Bankers - Belfast Banking Company)
Lurgan	Lord	President - Penny Savings Bank
Greer	John W. (J.P.)	Vice President - Penny Savings Bank
Malcolm	James	Vice President - Penny Savings Bank
Watson	Francis	Vice President - Penny Savings Bank
Hancock	John (J.P.)	Vice President - Penny Savings Bank
Patterson	Thomas R.	Vice President - Penny Savings Bank
RAILWAY STATION
Wilkinson	James	Manager, Railway Station - William Street
GAS WORKS (Treasurer - Ulster Bank)
Thompson	J.	Manager, Gas Works
Baird	William	Secretary, Gas Works

PARISH CHURCH
Knox	Rev. Thomas	Rector, Parish Church - Church Place
Kirk	Rev. W. B.	Curate, Parish Church - Church Place
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Berkeley	Rev. Lowry E.	Minister, Presbyterian Church - High Street
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Clarke	Rev. J. G.	Minister, Second Presbyterian Church - Hill Street
WESLEYAN CHAPEL
Bayley	Rev. Benjamin	Minister, Wesleyan Chapel - High Street
Elliot	Rev. Fred	Minister, Wesleyan Chapel - High Street
PRIMITIVE WESLEYAN METHODIST CHAPEL
Craig	Rev. William	Minister, Primitive Wesleyan Methodist Chapel - Queen Street
Aaron	Rev. James	Minister, Primitive Wesleyan Methodist Chapel - Queen Street
FRIENDS' MEETING HOUSE
-	-	'Vacant' - Queen Street
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHAPEL
O'Brien	Very Rev. William (V.G., P.P.)	Parish Priest, Roman Catholic Chapel - North Street
McKenna	Rev. James	Curate, Roman Catholic Chapel - North Street
YOUNG MENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
Murphy	Rev. M. H.	President - Young Mens Christian Association
Mahaffy	William	Vice President - Young Mens Christian Association
Fairly	William	Vice President - Young Mens Christian Association
Mathers	Henry	Treasurer - Young Mens Christian Association
Hanna	Thomas	Secretary - Young Mens Christian Association
Murphy	Mr	Committee - Young Mens Christian Association
Mahaffy	Mr	Committee - Young Mens Christian Association
Fairly	Mr	Committee - Young Mens Christian Association
Mathers	H.	Committee - Young Mens Christian Association
Douglas	William	Committee - Young Mens Christian Association
McCabe	Mr	Committee - Young Mens Christian Association
Harper	Mr	Committee - Young Mens Christian Association
Courtney	Mr	Committee - Young Mens Christian Association
Douglas	W.	Librarian - Young Mens Christian Association
UNITED CHURCH YOUNG MEN'S SOCIETY
Collins	James	Librarian - United Church Young Men's Society
LADIES' CLOTHING COMMITTEE
Lurgan	Lady	Ladies' Clothing Committee
Brown	Mrs.	Ladies' Clothing Committee
Conn	Mrs.	Ladies' Clothing Committee
Girdwood	Miss	Ladies' Clothing Committee
Greer	Mrs.	Ladies' Clothing Committee
Greer	Miss C.	Ladies' Clothing Committee
Hancock	Mrs.	Ladies' Clothing Committee
Lockhart	Miss E.	Ladies' Clothing Committee
May	Miss	Ladies' Clothing Committee
Shaw	Mrs.	Ladies' Clothing Committee
Watson	Mrs. H.	Ladies' Clothing Committee
Watson	Miss	Ladies' Clothing Committee
Crossley	Mrs.	Treasurer - Ladies' Clothing Committee
LURGAN DEMESNE CRICKET CLUB (Contains upwards of 30 members and meets for play three times weekly)
Lurgan	Lord	President - Lurgan Demesne Cricket Club
Cardwell	John Arthur Roebuck	Treasurer - Lurgan Demesne Cricket Club
Baird	William	Secretary - Lurgan Demesne Cricket Club
THE LURGAN FRIENDLY SOCIETY (Established in 1845)
Oulton	Rev. P.	Established the Lurgan Friendly Society
THE LURGAN POWER LOOM FACTORY FRIENDLY SOCIETY (Established in 1860)
Malcolm	J.	Patron of the Lurgan Power Loom Factory Friendly Society

MECHANIC'S INSTITUTE
Lurgan	Lord	President - Mechanic's Institute
Watson	F.	Vice President - Mechanic's Institute
Lurgan	Lord	Trustee - Mechanic's Institute
Greer	J. W. (J.P.)	Trustee - Mechanic's Institute
Hancock	John (J.P.)	Trustee - Mechanic's Institute
Watson	Francis	Trustee - Mechanic's Institute
Malcolm	James	Trustee - Mechanic's Institute
Shaw	Dr.	Treasurer - Mechanic's Institute
Lurgan	Lord	Committee of Management (Chairman) - Mechanic's Institute
Greer	John W. (J.P.)	Committee of Management - Mechanic's Institute
Watson	Francis	Committee of Management - Mechanic's Institute
Watson	Hugh	Committee of Management - Mechanic's Institute
Hancock	John (J.P.)	Committee of Management - Mechanic's Institute
Armstrong	Robert	Committee of Management - Mechanic's Institute
Murphy	Joseph	Committee of Management - Mechanic's Institute
Bell	S. A.	Committee of Management - Mechanic's Institute
Malcolm	James	Committee of Management - Mechanic's Institute
Paul	W. W.	Committee of Management - Mechanic's Institute
Shaw	Dr.	Committee of Management - Mechanic's Institute
Crossley	William	Committee of Management - Mechanic's Institute
Wells	Matthew	Committee of Management - Mechanic's Institute
Macoun	William	Committee of Management - Mechanic's Institute
Turkington	William	Committee of Management - Mechanic's Institute
Hancock	John (J.P.)	Hon. Secretary - Mechanic's institute
FREE SCHOOL
Clarke	Henry	Master, Free School - North Street
Anderson	Mrs.	Mistress, Free School - North Street
INFANT SCHOOL (Patronised by Lady Lurgan)
Bullick	Mrs.	Mistress, Infant School - Lurgan Demesne
THE RAGGED SCHOOL
Logan	Miss	Mistress, The Ragged School - Queen Street
MODEL SCHOOL
Greer	Alex	Head Master - Model School
Leonard	Francis	First Assistant - Model School
Porter	George	Second Assistant - Model School
Campbell	Eliza	Head Teacher of Girls School - Model School
Small	Sophia	First Assistant - Model School
Coyle	Anna	Second Assistant - Model School
Kennedy	Martha C.	Head Teacher of Infants School - Model School
Rogan	Alice	First Assistant - Model School
Brown	Martha Jane	Second Assistant - Model School
Washington	George	Music Master - Model School
Smeethe	Roland	Drawing Master - Model School
Clarke	Dr.	Physical Science Class - Model School
NATIONAL SCHOOL
Marrison	Andrew	Teacher, National School - Hill Street
Green	Margaret	Female Teacher, National School - Hill Street
TULLYGALLY SCHOOL (Under the Church Education Society)
Verner	William	Master - Tullygally School
LURGAN NATIONAL SCHOOL
Berkeley	Rev. L. E.	Patron - Lurgan National School
Donaldson	Thomas	Male Teacher - Lurgan National School
Dalton	William	Assistant - Lurgan National School
Morison	William	Assistant - Lurgan National School
Lowry	Miss	Female Teacher - Lurgan National School
Stewart	Miss	Assistant - Lurgan National School
Ginn	Miss	Assistant - Lurgan National School
McGowan	Samuel	Music Class Teacher - Lurgan National School
DOUGHER NATIONAL SCHOOL
O'Brien	Very Rev. William	Patron - Dougher National School
Cullen	William	Master - Dougher National School
McKeown	Mrs.	Mistress - Dougher National School
Ward	Miss	Assistant - Dougher National School

GENTRY
Armstrong	William	High Street
Boyd	Mrs. M.	High Street
Cuppage	Thomas	Silverwood
Douglas	Charles (D.L., J.P.)	Grace Hall
Douglas	Miss	Grace Hall
Douglas	Miss Ann	-
Fforde	Francis	Raughlin
Greer	John Waite (J.P.)	Woodvale
Greer	William	Wilderness
Greer	Miss	Wilderness
Greer	Miss Catherine	Wilderness
Greer	Henry	North Street
Hall	Miss	High Street
Hancock	John (J.P.)	Manor House
Hazlett	Miss D.	Market Street
Lurgan	Lord (Right Hon.)	Brownlow House
Mercer	Henry	Laurel Vale
Morriss	William B.	Market Street
Morrow	H. L.	Dahlia Vale (Organist of Lurgan Church)
Overend	Miss	Church Square
Richardson	Thomas	Warringstown
Richardson	Charles	Springfield
Ross	John (jun.)	California House, Knocknashane
Watson	Francis	Lakeview
Watson	Hugh	Beechpark
CLERGY AND PROFESSIONAL
Gilbert	Jonathan	Surgeon and Apothecary - Church Square
Gribben	Hugh	M.D. - Edward Street
Hanny	R. S.	Surgeon and Apothecary - Market Street
Hazlett	John	Solicitor - Church Square
Knox	Rev. Thomas (A.M.)	Rural Dean - Glebe House
Little	Dr.	High Street
Morris	Robert	Solicitor - High Street
O'Brien	Rev. Dr. (P.P.)	Vicar General - Chapel House, North Stret
Rankin	Hamilton	Civil Engineer, Town Clerk and Town Surveyor - North Street
Rodgers	Samuel	Surgeon &c. - Hill Street
Shaw	William	Surgeon &c. - Market Street

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