The History of Lurgan: Lurgan Town Hall

Hey Bloggers!!

I met with the manager of Lurgan Town Hall and she provided me with lots of interesting facts

The creation of the Town Hall provides facilities for hire to meet the needs of a range of groups in the community, especially performances such as concerts, musicals, dance and drama. Lurgan Town Hall was built in 1868 similar in contruction to the Mechanics Institute, built in 1958, but in a more restrained style. The architect was Raffles Brown, and he had the ground floor and basement built of local blackstone with red brick dressings and tall arched windows. The first floor was constructed of dark red brick with coupled arched windows. The cost of the building came to £2,300. The smaller building, now used as an Annex of the Town Hall premises, was originally used as the local Rates Office for many years, until 1989. It now houses the Lurgan Branch of the Citizens Advice Bureau on the ground floor with dressing rooms off the Stage upstairs

It is also popular for private functions and exhibition space. The Auditorium can seat audiences up to 250, including Balcony of 50, or 120 at tables. The Minor Hall can seat 120 at tables or in rows. It is suitable for exercise classes, dinners, parties, exhibitions, meetings and craft groups. A number of smaller rooms are available for meetings, crafts groups etc accommodating between 2 and 50 people. The building is easily identified by its traditional stonework, red railings and gates at the front entrance. It is situated just off the main high street.

See below for lots of pictures taken inside the Town Hall

The Town Hall Building

George William Russell, better known by the pseudonym 'AE'. This bust, by Jerome Connor, was unveiled at the Town Hall in 1985

Dance Hall: Forces use to come over from as far as America to see dances and take part in the music entertainment

The Balcony

Back door: Leads to smaller building, now used as an Annex of the Town Hall premises. It was originally the Police Barracks until it got attacked by a bomb. It now houses the Lurgan Branch of the Citizens Bureau on the ground floor, with dressing rooms off the stage upstairs