Omagh
Coordinates: 54°35′N 7°17′W / 54.59°N 7.29°W
Omagh (/ˈoʊmə/[1] or /ˈoʊmɑː/; Irish pronunciation: [ˈomæ][source?] – from Irish: an Ómaigh, meaning "the virgin plain" [ənˠ ˈoːmˠəi])[2] is the county town of County Tyrone in Northern Ireland, situated where the rivers Drumragh and Camowen meet to form the Strule. The town, which is the largest in the county, had a population of 19,910 at the 2001 Census. Omagh also contains the headquarters of Omagh District Council and the Western Education and Library Board. The town is twinned with East Kilbride (Scotland) and L'Haÿ-les-Roses (France).
| Omagh | |
| Scots: Omey | |
| Irish: an Ómaigh | |
 Omagh shown within Northern Ireland | |
| Population | 19,910 (2001 Census) |
|---|---|
| District | Omagh |
| County | County Tyrone |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | OMAGH |
| Postcode district | BT78, BT79 |
| Dialling code | 028 |
| Police | Northern Ireland |
| Fire | Northern Ireland |
| Ambulance | Northern Ireland |
| EU Parliament | Northern Ireland |
| UK Parliament | West Tyrone |
| NI Assembly | West Tyrone |
| Website | Official website |
| |
History
In 1768, Omagh replaced Dungannon as the county town of County Tyrone. Omagh acquired railway links to Derry in 1852, Enniskillen in 1853 and Belfast in 1861. The St Lucia Barracks were built in 1881 and closed in 2007. The Ulster Transport Authority closed the Omagh-Enniskillen railway line in 1957 and the Portadown-Derry main line in 1965, leaving the town with no rail service. In 1998, 29 people were killed in a Real Irish Republican Army bombing.
Omagh Media
Campsie, Omagh, in the early 20th century
Omagh as seen from the Strule bridge. In the background is the Sacred Heart Catholic church.
St. Columba's Church of Ireland in Omagh.
Snow is common in Omagh during the winter months. Shown here is the River Strule.
One of the major floods of 1969, shown here on Drumragh Avenue
Gortin Road. Heading south-west towards Omagh; to the left is the "Rest and be thankful" bench.
Lower Market Street, Omagh with a view of the bomb site and courthouse in the background
Looking at the town's Bridge Street area from an elevated height at the college
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References
- ↑ G. M. Miller, BBC Pronouncing Dictionary of British Names (Oxford University Press, 1971), pg. 110
- ↑ Placenames Database of Ireland