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.

Six young Lurgan lads who were into their fishing back in 1982 with Mr Robin Thompson a teacher from Lurgan College at that time. L-R Gary Mitchell, Daryl Mooney, Paul Dickson, Willie Gracey, Alan Burns and Michael Wilkinson.

25. Fishing fun

Six young Lurgan lads who were into their fishing back in 1982 with Mr Robin Thompson a teacher from Lurgan College at that time. L-R Gary Mitchell, Daryl Mooney, Paul Dickson, Willie Gracey, Alan Burns and Michael Wilkinson. Photo: Old Lurgan Photos

Summer youth club in 1980s Lurgan and not one mobile phone in a child's hand.

26. Halcyon days

Summer youth club in 1980s Lurgan and not one mobile phone in a child's hand. Photo: Old Lurgan Photos

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