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Portadown, which derives its name from the Gaelic "Port-ne-Dun" (Port of the Fortress), is one of two main towns in the Borough of Craigavon. The Craigavon Borough has a strong urban character and its town settlement pattern is unique in Northern Ireland. It is one of the largest urban centres in the Province. The main urban area is comprised of the traditional market towns of Lurgan and Portadown, situated just 5 miles apart, and a new town development in the central area between these two towns. The population of Craigavon is 84,000. Lurgan and Portadown each have around |
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| 28% of this population (25,000 and 28,000 respectively). Portadown's history can be traced back some 4000 years, but its modern history commenced in the 17 th Century. The town rapidly grew in importance as a manufacturing and trading centre in the 18 th and 19 th centuries with the River Bann (the White River) and railway links providing the transportation infrastructure to service the growing town. Portadown earned its status as "Hub of the North" in the late 19 th and early 20 th centuries when all areas of Ireland could be reached by rail, and later road, from the Town. |
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