LURGAN

lurgan, a market-town of co. armagh, ireland, well situated on high ground overlooking lough neagh a few miles to the north; 20 m. s.w. of belfast by the great northern railway. pop. (1901) 11,782. the parish church of shankill (this parish including lurgan) has a finely proportioned tower. contiguous to the town is lurgan castle, a fine modern elizabethan structure, the seat of lord lurgan. lurgan is famed for its diapers, and the linen trade is of the first importance, but there are also tobacco factories and coach factories. it is governed by an urban district council. lurgan was founded by william brownlow, to whom a grant of the town was made by james i. in 1619 it consisted of forty-two houses, all inhabited by english settlers. it was burned by the insurgents in 1641, and again by the troops of james ii. after its restoration in 1690 a patent for a market and fair was obtained.