Portadownsits on the banks of the Rive Bann, just 23 miles southwest of Belfast, thecapital of NorthernIreland. It has been a major town since the Victorian era,when the railway arrived and it earned the nickname ‘the hub of the north’thanks to its links with the rest of the island. For modern visitors it offersthe chance to soak up a traditionally warm Irish welcome, sample some localshopping and explore the surrounding countryside.
Shopping inPortadown
The shopping on offer in Portadown runs the gamutfrom traditional high street outlets to modern shopping facilities. The threemalls in Portadown- the High Street Mall, the Meadows and Magowan West - and the fact that thetown as a whole boasts no less than 320 traders means that visitors are boundto find gifts or souvenirs to take back home.
Getting AwayFrom it All
For a break from the hustle and bustle of shoppinghead for Edenvilla Park, an oasis of green in the centre of Portadown where kids canexplore, let off some steam and play on the swings, slides and roundabouts. Accompanying grownups, meanwhile, are morelikely to enjoy the tranquillity of the Secret Garden which is tucked awaybehind the playground and never seems to get crowded, even on the warmest summerdays.
Nature inPortadown
If you wish to travel a little further andexperience nature at its most impressive, then visit the largest lake inBritain and Ireland, LoughNeagh, which is just 13 miles away. The sheer size of the lake – it contains800 billion gallons of water – is striking enough in its own right, but it alsooffers tranquillity, natural diversity in the shape of animals, plants andbirds, and the chance to enjoy a range of activities. From cycling along thetrail around the lake to angling or taking a boat out to one of the secludedislands, visitors are never short of things to see and do.
History inPortadown
One of the most historically noteworthy sites in Portadown isMoneypenny’s Lock, which sits by a once busy canal which was allowed to becomederelict and overgrown until recently being restored. Strolling along the picturesque canal path,past the anglers and cyclists, will bring you to the restored 18th centurylockkeepers’ cottage and stables, offering a fascinating glimpse of the waylife in Portadownused to be lived.
Another indication of the rich and colourfulhistory of the town is the fact that many of the streets are known, to thelocals, by inventive nicknames rather than their official titles. So it is thatObin Street is referred to as The Tunnel, whilst Armagh Road has been given thesomewhat concerning moniker ‘Rheumatism Row’.
Eating Out
Fans of gastronomy are well catered for by therange of restaurants available in Portadown centre, with the cuisine on offer rangingfrom Indian and Cantonese to seasonal British dishes and top of the rangeEuropean cuisine.
Flights from around the UK and Europe land atBelfast International Airport, which is just 17 miles from Portadown, andaccommodation in the city encompasses luxury hotels and less expensive butwelcoming bed and breakfasts. Wherever you stay, your abiding memory is likelyto be the warmth of the welcome.
