Craigavon
Craigavon is a unique 1960s planned town in County Armagh, conceived to link the existing towns of Lurgan and Portadown into a single new city. While the original vision was never fully realized, the name Craigavon now refers to the entire borough and the central area between the two towns, characterized by its distinctive road system, roundabouts, and modernist architecture. The area is defined by its man-made Craigavon Lakes, which form a central recreational hub for sailing, watersports, and walking along the purpose-made paths that weave through the green spaces.
Today, Craigavon serves as an important administrative and commercial centre for the region. It is home to the large Rushmere Shopping Centre and has excellent sports facilities, including the South Lake Leisure Centre. The surrounding area is a patchwork of industrial estates and residential neighborhoods. While it may lack the historic charm of older settlements, Craigavon offers a very practical, modern living environment with ample green spaces and excellent connectivity via the M1 motorway, making it a significant economic engine for Mid-Ulster.