Lurgan a linen and cambric manufacturing town in the north-east of County Armagh. It is situated twenty miles S.W. from the City of Belfast, on the line of the Great Northern Railway, and a mile and a half south from Lough Neagh. The population of Lurgan at last census was 12,553, an increase of 783, or 7.0 per cent, over previous census. The annual value of rateable property amounts to over £28,501, and the township is annually increasing. In the year 1831 the population of Lurgan was 3,760, and the ratable property was then £5,578. The municipal affairs of Lurgan are managed by an Urban Council, incorporated under the local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898.

Fairs are held on the second Thursday of each month, and markets every Thursday. The markets since the provision of an enclosed egg and butter market, erected in 1909, in which tolls have been charged since January, 1911, show increasing prosperity. The fair shows evidence of ever-increasing improvement, and though the main central thoroughfare is very wide, it is taxed to its upmost. An unlimited supply of pure water is obtained from Lough Neagh, the intake being at Castor Bay, on the south-east of the lake, the works, which were opened in 1894, being thoroughly up to date in every detail.

Brownlow House and terrace grounds, formerly the seat of Lord Lurgan, were purchased by the Orangemen of Lurgan and district some years ago, and is now in the occupation of the 16th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles; while the demesne (some 500 acres in extent), which was formerly in the hands of the Lurgan Real Property Company, has now been practically all disposed of, with the exception of a few acres in Windsor Avenue retained for building ground. The Town Council five years ago acquired 73 acres of the choicest part of the demesne immediately adjacent to the town and opposite Brownlow House, for the purpose of a public park for the town. This has been laid out at very considerable expense, and was formerly opened by the Lord Lieutenant and Lady Aberdeen on the 31st of July, 1909. The Council has also secured the 63 acres of ornamental lake bordering on the park, and this is used for fishing and similar purposes, while some three years ago the Council purchased a further three acres of land bordering on the lake for the purpose of providing a carriage drive.

Lurgan may be said to be the cradle of the Irish linen cambric industry, and to the success and skill of its inhabitants and those of the surrounding villages in the fine linen and damask manufacture, and is later years the handkerchief hemstitching and finishing business, is to be attributed the progress of the town. It is to be regretted that hand-loom cambric weaving can scarcely be regarded as anything else than an expiring industry, the diminished demand in damask goods being very marked; but power-loom production is highly prosperous. In and around Lurgan is to be found some of the finest factories in the world, all equipped with the most up-to-date machinery, and manufacturing goods which are sent all over the world.

The Church of Ireland, standing in the centre of the town, is a large and commodious Gothic structure, and has a fine peal of eight bells, in addition to an illuminated clock, which, from its commanding position, is visible from a long distance. An excellent Parochial Hall, is also situated in Church Place, and there is also a handsome and spacious Church of Ireland Mission Hall and schoolhouse in John Street. There are in addition Lurgan College and the Model School, a number of National Schools, two of which are in immediate connection with St. Peter’s Church and St. Joseph’s Convent. There are commodious houses of worship for Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, and Society of Friends, the Salvation Army and Plymouth Brethren. The Urban Council having adopted the provisions of the Technical Instruction Acts, a promising school is carried on in spacious premises in Union Street, under the direction of a capable staff.

The Town Hall contains an Assembly Hall, with platform and footlights; the Council Chamber and Town Office are located on the top floor. A very fine Free Library is situated in Carnegie Street, the cost of which was defrayed by a £2,000 grant from Dr. Carnegie, after whom the library and street in which it stands are named. The library has been admirably furnished and equipped from local funds raised and expended by a committee, of which Mr. George Lunn is chairman. The building is a credit to the town, as well as a resort of pleasure to the public generally. The Mechanics’ Institute is a handsome structure situate at the corner of Market Street and Union Street, and adjoins the Town Hall. A fine Masonic Hall stands in Windsor Avenue, the site of the former avenue to Lord Lurgan’s castle.  The petty sessions are held in the County Courthouse on the first and third Tuesday of each month. The quarter sessions for the northern portion of the County Armagh are also held in Lurgan.