Portadown

Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Portadown shopping experience:

1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Portadown offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Portadown at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.

2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about

3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Portadown? Wrong! If the Portadown is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.

4. Questions - Got a question about Portadown then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....

5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Portadown? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Portadown and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.

6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Portadown wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.

7. Feedback - happy with your Portadown then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.

8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Portadown site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site

9. Contact - got a question about Portadown, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.

10. Payment - ready to pay for your Portadown, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.

{{Infobox UK place | |official_name= Portadown |irish_name= Port an Dúnáin |scots_name= Portadoun |local_name= |static_image= |static_image_caption= |map_type= Northern Ireland |latitude= 54.421027 |longitude= -6.458244 |belfast_distance= 22 miles |population= 24,000 (est) |irish_grid_reference= J008537 |unitary_northern_ireland= [Craigavon Borough Council |country= Northern Ireland |post_town= CRAIGAVON |postcode_area= BT |postcode_district= BT62, BT63 |dial_code= 028 |constituency_westminster= [Upper Bann (UK Parliament constituency) |lieutenancy_northern_ireland= [County Armagh |website= http://www.portadowntown.com/about/index.asp www.portadowntown.com -->Portadown () is a town in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. It has an estimated population around 30,000 which is roughly three quarters Irish unionism and one quarter Irish nationalism. Portadown is situated on the River Bann, in the north of County Armagh. It is part of the Craigavon Borough Council area.

Portadown has a manufacturing sector that has grown beyond its roots in linen production to include carpet-weaving, baking and engineering. These industries all thrive against a backdrop of the traditional rural economy. For decades it has been the home of the Portadown Festival, which brings in thousands of participants in amateur dance, theatre, music and song.

Although the town can trace its origins to at least the 17th century it was not until the Victorian era, and the arrival of the Rail transport that it became a major town. Portadown is known as "The Hub of the North", the origin of this phrase coming from its central position in Northern Ireland and being a major railway junction in the past, where the Great Northern Railway (Ireland) line diverged for Belfast, Dublin, Armagh and Derry.

History Portadown was associated with the ancient and powerful local family of McCann who were among the area's earliest settlers. The town was the scene of an infamous massacre during the Irish Rebellion of 1641, when the Catholic insurgents killed around seventy of the Protestant townspeople on the bridge over the River Bann. The construction of the Newry Canal in 1740 and the later development of the railway lines to Belfast and Dublin, put Portadown at the hub of transport routes in Northern Ireland.

There are many companies that have been a part Portadown's history, one being W.D. Irwin & Sons Ltd Irwin's Bakery. Irwin's was established in 1912 by the grandfather (William David Irwin) of the existing joint managing directors, as a grocery retailer. W.D. Irwin's wife and sister-in-law were talented home-bakers, who began to bake cakes and bakery items for the shop. Soon additional bakers were employed to cope with the increasing trade, expanding the bakery out behind the shop. It moved to larger premises at Carn in 1994. The High Street Mall shopping centre currently stands in the place of the old bakery. Today Irwin's bakery is the largest independent bakery in Northern Ireland. Its bakery products are supplied to supermarket chains such as Sainsbury’s, Asda and Tesco, and other grocery chains, right down to small corner shops.

Portadown also boasts a large selection of academia. There are many primary and secondary schools in the area, and the town is home to one the the top Grammar Schools in Northern Ireland, Portadown College, which was opened in 1924.

The Troubles

For more information see The Troubles in Portadown, which includes a list of incidents in Portadown during the Troubles resulting in two or more fatalities.

Portadown is taking a stand against the Troubles with the Ulster Project. Roman Catholic Church and Protestantism teenagers from Portadown annually travel to Hutchinson, Kansas, in the Midwestern United States to participate in this project. These teenagers are charged with promoting peace amongst the sectarian troubles and violence facing their local communities.

Places of interest With the establishment of the Millennium Court Arts Centre in 2002, the town has become improved since pre-Troubles times.

People

Victor Sloan: a photographer and artist who lives and works in Portadown. His works are a response to political, social and religious concerns.

George Gilmore: was a Protestant Irish Republican Army leader.

Ryan Harpur: a young footballer currently with Everton F.C.

Colin Turkington: a successful young racing car driver who competes in the British Touring Car Championship.

Mary Peters (athlete), Olympic medalist.

Joyrider, a 1990s band.

Gloria Hunniford, a BBC television presenter.

Leigh Alderson , A young male ballet dancer, who left Portadown to train at The Royal Ballet School and going on to star in Scottish National Ballet and many BBC Documnetary Films about his life.

Adam Carroll , A young race driver currently competing in the formula one feeder series, GP2

David Simpson , DUP MP for Upper Bann - took the seat historically from David Trimble (Former Leader of Ulster Unionist Party) in 2005

Paddy Johns , Former Ireland and Ulster rugby player was born in Portadown

Education

Ballyoran Primary School
Bocombra Primary School
Clounagh Junior High School
Derrycarne Primary School
Drumcree College
Edenderry Primary School, Portadown
Hart Memorial Primary School
Killicomaine Junior High School
Millington Primary School
Portadown Independent Christian School
Portadown Integrated Primary
Portadown College
Presentation Primary School
Richmount Primary School
Seagoe Primary School
St. John the Baptist Primary School
St. John's Primary School, Portadown
Upper Bann Institute of Further and Higher Education
Southern Regional College

Transport

Portadown railway station was opened on 12 September 1842 and closed to goods traffic on 4 January 1965.

Sport

References

NI Conflict Archive on the Internet
Craigavon Museum
Culture Northern Ireland