Overview
Brownlow House is a “calendar house”: its builder laid it out, the story goes, to count the year – four wings for the seasons, 12 corners for the months, 52 chimneys for the weeks, 365 rooms for the days. It rises above Lurgan on Windsor Avenue, a lantern-topped tower over a forest of pierced chimney pots, built in 1833 for Charles Brownlow, 1st Baron Lurgan, and owned today by the Lurgan Loyal Orange District Lodge. It still hosts weddings and conferences, but the reason to visit is the free military exhibitions inside and the 250-acre park around it. One thing to know before you go: the museum is open by appointment only, so ring ahead rather than turning up and hoping. The house survived an arson attack in 1996, and an expert from the Windsor Castle restoration was brought in to help put it right.
Architecture
The house was designed by the Edinburgh architect William Henry Playfair – better known for the Greek Revival buildings that earned Edinburgh the name “Athens of the North” – and built in golden freestone shipped over from Scotland. The roofline carries the 52 chimney pots that give the calendar house its weeks, each one a different scroll-work design; oriel windows and carriage gates frame the approach, and original fireplaces survive inside. Local folklore adds a secret tunnel running from the house under the park lake to Castle Lane, though nothing has ever been dug up to prove it.
Military History & Exhibitions
The house holds a significant place in Ulster’s military past. During the First World War, it served as the headquarters for the 16th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles and the 10th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers. The basement WWI exhibition features panels, photographs, and personal letters from these units. Children can try on period uniforms in a dedicated dress-up area.
In the Second World War the house became the headquarters of the US XV Corps, with American troops billeted here and operations planned behind its doors. A 2015 exhibition recreates the period with original US kit, a virtual GI in a Nissen hut and a secret-operations map room, and a quiet Eisenhower Room marks the reputed stay of the Supreme Allied Commander himself.
The Legend of Master McGrath
Long before the soldiers arrived, the estate had a different kind of star. Master McGrath, a greyhound owned by the 2nd Lord Lurgan, won the Waterloo Cup – the blue riband of hare coursing – three times in the 1860s, and became famous enough to be presented to Queen Victoria. He is still a name in Lurgan, on pub signs and in song.
Walks & Parkland
The former demesne, now Lurgan Park, is one of the largest urban parks in Northern Ireland – over 250 acres, with around 5 km of paths managed by Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon Council. The walk most people make is the historic oak-lined avenue and a circuit of the large man-made lake, with a late-19th-century cast-iron Jubilee fountain as its centrepiece. There is a sizeable play park for children, and parking on site is free. The park keeps longer hours in summer.
Visiting & Practical Information
Access to the park is free, and the military exhibitions are also free to enter. However, the museum tours require prior arrangement. Visitors should call or email the lodge to book a guided tour, particularly during peak summer months when demand is higher.
The tea room operates Monday to Saturday, serving freshly baked scones, soups, and daily chef’s specials. It is a popular stop for walkers and families exploring the grounds. For weddings, the house operates a one-event-per-day policy, offering exclusive use of the Octagon Room and Grand Ballroom.
Contact & Booking:
- Phone: 028 3832 6049
- Mobile: 077 88 533 774
- Email: robert@brownlowhouse.com
Nearby Attractions
- Ardress House – A National Trust property showcasing 17th-century Ulster-Scots life and formal gardens.
- Armagh County Museum – Offers further insight into the region’s military and social history.
- Royal Irish Fusiliers Museum – Dedicated to the history of the regiment once headquartered at Brownlow House.
- Craigavon – Explore the Craigavon Lakes and the surrounding countryside for watersports and walks.
- Lurgan Park – The extensive parkland surrounding Brownlow House, ideal for walks and picnics.