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.

A young Linda Willey from Princess Street filling a wee bag of buns for a happy customer in Helena’s Bakery in William Street, Lurgan. Do you remember Helena’s Bakery?

13. Everyone misses Helena's Bakery

A young Linda Willey from Princess Street filling a wee bag of buns for a happy customer in Helena’s Bakery in William Street, Lurgan. Do you remember Helena’s Bakery? Photo: Old Lurgan Photos

North Street in the late 80's with Lurgan Credit Union Offices and Herbert's Shop.

14. Still a bustling street

North Street in the late 80's with Lurgan Credit Union Offices and Herbert's Shop. Photo: Old Lurgan Photos

During the long summer evenings in the 1980’s many from the town enjoyed a game or two of quoits. This is a photo of players from The Foresters and Aghagallon teams before a match in the local league. Anyone recognise the lads in the teams?

15. Anyone for a game of Quoits?

During the long summer evenings in the 1980’s many from the town enjoyed a game or two of quoits. This is a photo of players from The Foresters and Aghagallon teams before a match in the local league. Anyone recognise the lads in the teams? Photo: Old Lurgan Photos

Memories of Lurgan from the late 1980's and early 1990's with Stereovision Electrical Shop, J Murtagh the Undertaker up the gateway, Byrnes Butchers, The Royal Oak Bar, The Pizza Pasta Hut, Roxy Heal Bar and much more.

16. Lurgan was full of great venues including The Royal Oak Bar

Memories of Lurgan from the late 1980's and early 1990's with Stereovision Electrical Shop, J Murtagh the Undertaker up the gateway, Byrnes Butchers, The Royal Oak Bar, The Pizza Pasta Hut, Roxy Heal Bar and much more. Photo: Old Lurgan Photos

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