Welcome
Craigavon Historical Society is committed to the promotion and study of local history in the Craigavon area and this web site was established primarily as a resource for those who share this interest. We hope it is helpful for anyone making a study of their family history. However, the Society is unable to assist with queries about genealogical research from individuals.
About the Craigavon Historical Society
Formation
Craigavon Historical Society was formed in April 1967 at a meeting held in the Lurgan College of Technology. Development of the "new city" of Craigavon in North Armagh had just started with Brownlow, the first sector to be developed, sited between Lurgan and Portadown. Membership has grown steadily since then and we now have over 100 members drawn from all communities with interested supporters scattered round the world. From the outset, the Society realised that Craigavon's development would necessiate the demolition of many buildings and features which gave the area its unique character. A primary objective of the Society was therefore to help record buildings and features before they were lost forever. But the Society also celebrated the rich cultural heritage of the existing towns of Lurgan and Portadown and their hinterlands which all have long and colourful histories.
Aims and Objectives
The Society is dedicated to the study of local history, particularly in the Craigavon area, and to recording aspects of our culture and built heritage which are under threat. It supports local initiatives such as the formation of the agricultural exhibition at Ardress House, the Craigavon Museum and study of history in schools. The Society has recently published a number of books on local history and has published its biennial journal, Review, since 1969. Review is the source of most of the material in our web site but the originals journals contain additional information and illustrations.
Archaeology, Folk-life, Music and Placenames also feature among our interests and the Society publishes a journal, Review, once every two years. This site contains a number of articles taken from Review and it is proposed to expand content of the site to cover a wide range of matters relating to Craigavon's local history.
If you are interested in purchasing copies of Review (most are available for the last 10 years), the Portadown Town Trail, or Montiaghisms, a fascinating collection of Ulster dialect words, also published by Craigavon Historical Society, then please write to the Honorary Secretary for details.
In addition to a varied lecture programme, the Society organises up to three outings per year to buildings of architectural, historical or cultural interest. Recently one of our annual trips has celebrated European Heritage Open Days with visits to buildings large and small which are not normally accessible to the public.
The Society welcomes new members. We meet at 7.45pm, usually on the second Tuesday of each month from October to April in the Lakeview Suite of Craigavon Civic Centre, Lakeview Road, Craigavon (beside Rushmere Shopping Centre).
The fee for the annual course of eight lectures is £15 per person or £25 for two people from the same household. This fee also entitles members to attend our annual dinner and outings, of which we have two per year - an evening outing in May to a place of historical interest close to Craigavon and an all-day Saturday outing by coach in May or June to places further afield. There is an additional charge for the annual dinner and outings to cover our costs. Friends of members are welcome at the dinner and outings.
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