Lurgan Townscape Heritage Scheme

21/05/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us last week for our seminar on '𝐆𝐥𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐭: 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐰 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧', led in conjunction with Institute of Historic Building Conservation • Northern Ireland Branch at Brownlow Castle.

If you missed the event or would like to revisit it, have a watch of the recording below put together by the folks over at BNL Productions - a big thank you to them for sorting out the audio visual side of things on the day.

Speakers included:

- 𝐃𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚 𝐑𝐨𝐜𝐡𝐞, Senior Architectural Advisor of the National Built Heritage Service within the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage who provided a talk on the history of windows and fanlights in Ireland.

- Heritage carpenter 𝐉𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 of J.B. Heritage Joinery, who facilitated a session focusing on practical tips for repairing and prolonging the lifespan of sash windows.

- 𝐋𝐲𝐧𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐲, general manager at Quorn & Loughborough Glass (https://tatraglass.co.uk/), who delivered a presentation on the different available types of heritage restoration glass, including a discussion on their properties and uses.

This seminar was made possible thanks to the support of the Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund through the Lurgan Townscape Heritage Scheme.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund Love Heritage NI The Architectural Heritage Fund National Churches Trust CITB Northern Ireland Urban ABC Abccultureni The Royal Society of Ulster Architects

18/05/2026

Thank you to Love Heritage NI for these lovely comments regarding our seminar, Glazing the Past, which we held last week at Brownlow Castle.

It was very informative day and a special thanks to our speakers Dr Nessa Roche (National Built Heritage Service), Jonathan Black (J.B. Heritage Joinery) and Lynn Bellamy from Tatraglass (https://tatraglass.co.uk/) for their insight and experise on all things windows!

We'll be sharing a film of the event in the next few days so keep an eye out for that if you missed it or would like to revisit the presentations.

13/05/2026

Have a watch of the film below to find out a bit more about the restoration works that have commenced at 38 Church Place, one of the priority building restoration projects within the Lurgan Townscape Heritage Scheme.

These works have been made possible thanks to the joint investment of MMG Buildings Ltd, the Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund through the Lurgan Townscape Heritage Scheme.

We are looking forward to seeing the building transformed over the coming months, restoring it back to the day-to day life of the High Street.

Urban ABC The National Lottery Heritage Fund Love Heritage NI McCreanor & Co Architects Ulster Architectural Heritage The Royal Society of Ulster Architects Institute of Historic Building Conservation • Northern Ireland Branch Des Cairns Architecture Abccultureni The Architectural Heritage Fund

21/04/2026

𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐩𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞-𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: Friday 24 April 2026, 10.30am to 12.00pm
𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞: Lurgan Library
𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1985804058395?

Learn how to navigate the pitfalls of self-publishing and find a market for your novel in this practical workshop aimed at emerging writers.

Over the course of two hours, you’ll learn about the practicalities of the process – from cover design to ISBNs – and consider the ancillary skills such as editing, marketing and promotion that you’ll need to give your novel the very best chance of finding its audience.

Aimed at both emerging writers whose debut novel is just about ready to make its way into the world, and traditionally published authors interested in hybridising their career, this workshop will help you set yourself, and your novel, on the path to success

𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐫

Jo Zebedee is a science fiction and fantasy writer based near Belfast. She is the author of Abendau book (an extensive Space Opera series, Tickety Boo Press, 2015), and writes genre books set in and around Northern Ireland. Best known for Inish Carraig, set after an alien invasion of Belfast, her first fantasy book, Waters and the Wild, was released by Inspired Quill in 2017. As well as writing novels, she blogs, mixing writing advice, motivational blogs and business modelling for writers. She also delivers courses in writing speculative fiction, and provides coaching services to writers

14/04/2026

𝐆𝐥𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐭: 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐰 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: Wednesday 13 May 2026, 11am to 2pm
𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞: Brownlow Castle
𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1986980357738?

Join us at our upcoming seminar where three experts will provide an insight into the repair, conservation and restoration of historic windows.

Held in conjunction with the Northern Ireland branch of The Institute of Historic Building Conservation, this seminar will provide an insight into history of window types in Ireland, along with considerations for their repair, maintenance and restoration.

Aimed at architects, building owners and heritage professionals, the seminar will include presentations by:

- 𝐃𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚 𝐑𝐨𝐜𝐡𝐞, Senior Architectural Advisor of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and author of the Department’s 𝐴𝑑𝑣𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑆𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠: 𝐴 𝐺𝑢𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝐻𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑊𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑠. In her talk Dr Roche will be providing an insight into the historic development of window design in Ireland including fanlights as well as guidance regarding their conservation.

- Heritage carpenter 𝐉𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 of J.B. Heritage Joinery, who will be facilitating a session focusing on practical tips for repairing and prolonging the lifespan of sash windows.

- 𝐋𝐲𝐧𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐲, general manager at Quorn & Loughborough Glass (https://tatraglass.co.uk/), who will be delivering a presentation on the different available types of heritage restoration glass, including a discussion on their properties and uses.

There will also be an opportunity to ask questions throughout the day, so if you have a burning question on windows this is the event for you!

The seminar will be held at Brownlow Castle in Lurgan and will commence at 11am and finish at around 1pm.

This seminar is made possible thanks to the support of the Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund through the Lurgan Townscape Heritage Scheme.

Love Heritage NI The Royal Society of Ulster Architects The National Lottery Heritage Fund Northern Ireland Urban ABC CITB Northern Ireland Abccultureni Ulster Architectural Heritage The Architectural Heritage Fund McCreanor & Co Architects Des Cairns Architecture

18/03/2026

What changes do you hope to see in Craigavon, Lurgan & Portadown?

No idea is too big or too small — we want to hear from you! 💬
Share your thoughts online, complete our survey and you’ll be entered into a competition to win a £50 Shop ABC Gift Card! 🎁
Online survey 👉 https://orlo.uk/KzB6B

Your ideas will help shape future plans for the area, so make sure your voice is heard.

Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council Urban ABC Abccultureni

03/03/2026

𝐎𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: Saturday 7 March 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: 10am to 4pm
𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞: Kane's Farm, Boconnell Lane, Lurgan
𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1980455767513?

Join us this Saturday (7 March) for this hand’s-on orchard management workshop, which will provide participants with the opportunity to learn the dos and don’ts of orchard maintenance and planting; including how and when to prune trees of different ages, how to maintain soil fertility and assess general tree health.

The workshop will be facilitated by Jeremy Turkington of Hometree (www.hometree.ie) (and formerly of Irish Seed Savers Association) in a small orchard attached to Kane’s Farmhouse, located at Boconnell Lane, Lurgan. This orchard has a range of trees from 10 years to 60+ years that display many of the issues that you would encounter in traditional and newly planted orchards. Along the way we also be planting a few new heritage apple trees in the old orchard.

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐭: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1980455767513?

or contact David by email at: [email protected]

This workshop is made possible thanks to the support of the Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund through the Lurgan Townscape Heritage Scheme.

Urban ABC Abccultureni Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council The National Lottery Heritage Fund Oxford Island Love Heritage NI

23/02/2026

𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: 𝟏 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: Monday 2 March or Tuesday 3 March, 10am to 4pm
𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞: Meet at Lough Discovery Centre, Oxford Island
𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭: £25 per person
𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: https://bit.ly/3ZFGa1r

We are delighted to be hosting these 'Repair of Earthen Building' workshops organised by the CITB Northern Ireland and facilitated by
Tom Pollard of Pollard Conservation and Restoration.

The 1-day workshops will provide hands-on training on the repair of vernacular earthen buildings through the practical mixing and application of earthen mortars, renders and plasters.

The workshops will take place on 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 and 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟑 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡, 𝟏𝟎𝐚𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝟒𝐩𝐦 in Lurgan.

For full details and booking see: https://bit.ly/3ZFGa1r

This event is being delivered as part of the Living Heritage: Past, Present, Future project supported by Department for Communities Historic Environment Fund ( Heritage NI) and Ulster Architectural Heritage.

Des Cairns Architecture Institute of Historic Building Conservation • Northern Ireland Branch The Royal Society of Ulster Architects Abccultureni Urban ABC Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council McCreanor & Co Architects Vernacular Architecture Forum The National Lottery Heritage Fund Northern Ireland The Architectural Heritage Fund The Heritage Council The Ulster Archaeological Society SPAB Ireland The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings

Repair of Earthen Buildings – 1Day Workshop
Mon 2 or Tues 3 Mar 2026 | 10am–4pm, Lurgan

Hands-on training in earth mortars, renders & plasters.
Supported by the Dept for Communities, Historic Environment Fund & Ulster Architectural Heritage
Book Now https://bit.ly/3ZFGa1r

18/02/2026

Lurgan - You are invited to take part in an exciting place plan initiative.

Join the Community Planning Team and share your ideas on how we can make Lurgan an even better place to live, work and visit.

The team will be out and about over the next few weeks, meeting local people and hearing what matters most to you.

Come along to one of the events below and have your say!

Or share your thoughts online https://orlo.uk/pyXhj

11/02/2026

𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝟒𝟕-𝟓𝟏 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭

Work on the restoration of the long derelict row of properties at 47, 49 and 51 William Street continues apace thanks to the great work of Darren McKinley of Orchard County Realty and his hard-working team.

Have a watch of the film below to find out about the latest on the building restoration👇👇👇👇

In keeping with the aims of our scheme as much of the original fabric of the buildings will be preserved as possible, with proper conservation methods used to bring the derelict buildings back into sustainable use. The project is due to finish in spring 2026 and will result in the creation of seven apartments for short and long-term rental allowing the buildings to once again form part of the day-to-day life of William Street.

These building restorations have been made possible thanks to the property owner investing his own resources; alongside the additional financial support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council through the Lurgan Townscape Heritage Scheme.

Urban ABC Love Heritage NI Ulster Architectural Heritage Des Cairns Architecture The Architectural Heritage Fund The Royal Society of Ulster Architects Institute of Historic Building Conservation • Northern Ireland Branch