Town Hall Theatre, Portadown

Portadown Town Hall stands on Edward Street in Portadown, County Armagh. The red-brick building with terracotta dressings was designed by Robert and Thomas Roe and completed in 1890. Its symmetrical front has three bays, a central doorway with pilasters and a balcony above. The outer bays are gabled, each with pairs of segmental windows on the ground floor and rectangular ones above. Inside, the main assembly hall remains the principal room. The town hall became the headquarters when Portadown gained municipal borough status in 1947. A mayoral chain was presented by rose breeder Mrs Sam McGredy, made from gold medals awarded for rose breeding. Public events began early, and Irish singer Bridie Gallagher performed there in May 1952. After 1973 the building no longer housed the local council but was converted into a theatre. It has since become the Town Hall Theatre, home to the Gateway Theatre Group. Visitors find a Victorian theatre with original architectural details. The main assembly hall retains its historic character while hosting performances. The Gateway Theatre Group stages regular productions in the building. Its Edward Street setting places it at the heart of Portadown’s cultural life. The theatre continues to serve the community as both a performance space and a reminder of the town’s civic past.