A look at Market Street in the early 1980s. The Northern Bank or Danske as it’s now known stands at the corner of Carnegie Street with Fa Joe’s Pub opposite. Further along Abbey National, VG Foods store and Carigins Children’s clothes shop. To the right we can see Wellworth's, one of the busiest store in the town, with McMurray’s newsagents at the corner of Castle Lane. Back over to the left-hand side and who remembers the Manhattan Restaurant owned and ran by Frank Fusco? When it opened it was the ‘bees-knees’ with surroundings, menu and service that was way ahead of it’s time. Last but not least the old toilet block in the centre that have long gone and replaced by modern art!placeholder image
A look at Market Street in the early 1980s. The Northern Bank or Danske as it’s now known stands at the corner of Carnegie Street with Fa Joe’s Pub opposite. Further along Abbey National, VG Foods store and Carigins Children’s clothes shop. To the right we can see Wellworth's, one of the busiest store in the town, with McMurray’s newsagents at the corner of Castle Lane. Back over to the left-hand side and who remembers the Manhattan Restaurant owned and ran by Frank Fusco? When it opened it was the ‘bees-knees’ with surroundings, menu and service that was way ahead of it’s time. Last but not least the old toilet block in the centre that have long gone and replaced by modern art!

26 photos of Lurgan in the 1980s when the town was bustling and the music was vibrant

By Carmel Robinson
Published 10th Jul 2025, 16:37 GMT

Lurgan in the 1980s was a bustling market town with lots of shops, plenty of bars and full of characters.

In the summer Lurgan pool was full of children and everyone looked forward to Lurgan Show and Lurgan Park Car Rally.

It was a time when we were swept up by Live Aid and a bunch of lads created Lurgan’s Folk Aid to raise vital funds. Others had charity ‘knit ins’ and bed pushes.

Gerard Skelton’s had all the tickets to the best gigs and ran fantastic trips to football matches and more. The Silverwood Hotel, or the Country Club, was the in-spot with many a one spotted doing the wobbly walk home down the Lough Road.

Snooker clubs and darts teams were the big pull for many and fishing was a great past time. Youth Clubs were the place to be especially in the summer.

Huge thanks to the kindness of Old Lurgan Photos for sharing their photographs of times gone by.

Lurgan Pool used to be this full every day during the summer holidays in the 70's and 80's? This photo is from 1980 and it shows just how popular it was. Sadly it was bulldozed down by Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council in favour of a new leisure centre in Craigavon.

5. Pool was full during the summer holidays

Lurgan Pool used to be this full every day during the summer holidays in the 70's and 80's? This photo is from 1980 and it shows just how popular it was. Sadly it was bulldozed down by Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council in favour of a new leisure centre in Craigavon. Photo: Old Lurgan Photos

Players who took part in the Royal British Legion Darts competition in 1982.

6. Darts is still a big game in the Lurgan area

Players who took part in the Royal British Legion Darts competition in 1982. Photo: Old Lurgan Photos

Gerard Skelton, of Skelton Travel often had queues of youngsters lined up outside his office in Lurgan eager to be the first to snap up tickets to the latest rock concert or football trip in the 1980's. Some of you might even remember getting the old buses to concerts at Slane Castle. Back in the 80s kids were able to pay off the price of the ticket via their pocket money, £1 a week perhaps.

7. Who bought tickets for a match or concert from Gerard Skelton?

Gerard Skelton, of Skelton Travel often had queues of youngsters lined up outside his office in Lurgan eager to be the first to snap up tickets to the latest rock concert or football trip in the 1980's. Some of you might even remember getting the old buses to concerts at Slane Castle. Back in the 80s kids were able to pay off the price of the ticket via their pocket money, £1 a week perhaps. Photo: Old Lurgan Photos

Lots of memories from these shops in Church Place, Lurgan in the 1980s.

8. Handy parking for the shops

Lots of memories from these shops in Church Place, Lurgan in the 1980s. Photo: Old Lurgan Photos

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