Craigavon factfile

How to get to Craigavon
Craigavon, County Armagh, is on the south shore of Lough Neagh. It's easily accessible from the M1, lying between Lurgan and Portadown.

The history of Craigavon
Craigavon was designed in the 1960s to relieve housing pressure in Belfast, as well as to create a new services sector and attract foreign investment. Designated a New City in 1965, Craigavon suffered during The Troubles, but has since gained a reputation as a highly family-friendly destination. The area also includes the historic towns of Lurgan and Portadown.

Shopping in Craigavon
In the heart of Craigavon sits the Rushmere Shopping Centre with 1,800 free parking spaces and virtually every major retailer under one roof. Nearby Portadown offers both independent and high street shops, plus a weekly market, while the Georgian streets of Lurgan are home to many chic retailers.

Eating and drinking in Craigavon
There's an abundance of cafés, coffee shops, bistros, restaurants and bars in and around Craigavon, including an impressive multinational contingent. The borough's three hotels also offer a wide choice of food and drink.

Sports and leisure in Craigavon
As Craigavon is on the shores of Lough Neagh, water sports are high on the list of leisure activities. Added to that are four top-notch golf courses in the area, plus farms, leisure centres, clay pigeon shooting, a pottery and the Oxford Island nature reserve.

How Craigavon got its name
The New City was named after James Craig, Viscount Craigavon, the first Prime Minister of Northern Ireland's devolved parliament who, having won five consecutive elections, governed from 1921 until his death in 1940.

Things to see and do around Craigavon
Explore the towns and villages of Brownlow, Lurgan, Portadown, Donaghcloney, Magheralin, Maghery and Waringstown. Lurgan and Portadown in particular are rich in the history both of the region and of Northern Ireland generally.

Natural beauty spots around Craigavon
Lough Neagh is both the largest lough in Ireland, and the largest lake in the British Isles, at nearly 400 sq km (155 sq mi). Coney Island is the only remaining inhabited island on Lough Neagh, and has a history reaching back to the time of St Patrick.