Omagh#Events and culture

File:Campsie, Omagh, Co. Tyrone (44630959131).jpg

The name Omagh is an anglicisation of the Irish name an Óghmaigh (modern Irish an Ómaigh), meaning "the virgin plain". A monastery was apparently established on the site of the town about 792, and a Franciscan friary was founded in 1464.{{cite book |last1=Gwynn |first1=Aubrey |last2=Hadcock |first2=R. Neville |title=Medieval Religious Houses Ireland |publisher=Longman |year=1970 |pages=267, 273, 400 |isbn=0-582-11229-X }} Omagh was founded as a town in 1610. It served as a refuge for fugitives from the east of County Tyrone during the 1641 Rebellion. In 1689, James II arrived at Omagh, en route to Derry. Supporters of William III, Prince of Orange, later burned the town.

In 1768, Omagh replaced Dungannon as the county town of County Tyrone. Omagh acquired railway links to Londonderry with the Londonderry and Enniskillen Railway in 1852, Enniskillen in 1853 and Belfast in 1861. St Lucia Barracks were completed in 1881. In 1899, Tyrone County Hospital was opened. The Government of Northern Ireland made the Great Northern Railway Board close the Omagh – Enniskillen railway line in 1957.{{cite book |last=Baker |first=Michael H.C. |year=1972 |title=Irish Railways since 1916 |location=London |publisher=Ian Allan |isbn=0-7110-0282-7 |pages=153, 207}} In accordance with the Benson Report submitted to the Northern Ireland Government in 1963, the Ulster Transport Authority closed the {{rws|Portadown}} – Omagh – Londonderry main line in 1965,Baker, 1972, pages 155, 209 leaving Tyrone with no rail service. St Lucia Barracks closed in August 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.u.tv/News/Omagh-gets-green-police-station/3c7d0c97-9d23-48e5-9b14-ebcdd7c9b59d|title=Omagh gets green police station|date=14 September 2010|publisher=Ulster TV|access-date=12 October 2014|archive-date=20 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020091712/http://www.u.tv/News/Omagh-gets-green-police-station/3c7d0c97-9d23-48e5-9b14-ebcdd7c9b59d|url-status=live}}

On 30 December 1942, a Consolidated Catalina Ib of No. 240 Squadron RAF that was operating from RAF Killadeas crashed into the town. The crash killed all eleven occupants, however no one on the ground was killed or injured. The cause of the crash was never ascertained.{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19421230-0|title=ASN Aircraft accident Consolidated Catalina Ib (PBY-5B) FP239 Omagh, Reaghan, Northern Ireland|first=Harro|last=Ranter|website=aviation-safety.net|access-date=9 November 2017|archive-date=10 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110005003/https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19421230-0|url-status=live}}

Omagh Town Hall, which opened on 29 September 1915, hosted a number of notable performers, including the actors Anew McMaster, Micheál Mac Liammóir and Jimmy O'Dea, before it was demolished to make way for the Strule Arts Centre in 1997.{{cite news|url=https://ulsterherald.com/2019/02/01/share-your-omagh-town-hall-memories/|title=Share your Omagh Town Hall memories|date=1 February 2019|newspaper=Ulster Herald|access-date=5 June 2021|archive-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923152753/https://ulsterherald.com/2019/02/01/share-your-omagh-town-hall-memories/|url-status=live}}

{{main|The Troubles in Omagh|Omagh bombing}}

Omagh became the focus of international media attention when, on 15 August 1998, the Real Irish Republican Army exploded a car bomb in the town centre. 29 people were killed in the blast – 14 women (including one pregnant with twins), 9 children and 6 men. Hundreds more were injured as a result of the blast.

In April 2011, a car bomb killed police constable Ronan Kerr. A group of former Provisional IRA members calling itself the Irish Republican Army made its first public statement later that month claiming responsibility for the killing.{{cite news|title=Former Provos claim Kerr murder and vow more attacks|author=Suzanne Breen|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/former-provos-claim-kerr-murder-and-vow-more-attacks-15146426.html|newspaper=Belfast Telegraph|date=22 April 2011|access-date=26 April 2011|archive-date=26 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426010813/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/former-provos-claim-kerr-murder-and-vow-more-attacks-15146426.html|url-status=live}}

In February 2023, an off-duty senior police officer was shot and critically injured at a sports complex in the town. Police stated they were focusing on the New IRA.{{cite news |title=Omagh: Off-duty police officer shot |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-64736670 |publisher=BBC News |date=22 February 2023 |access-date=22 February 2023 |language=en-GB}}{{cite news |last1=Kearney |first1=Vincent |title=Detective Chief Inspector 'critical but stable' after Omagh shooting |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/ulster/2023/0222/1358289-omagh-shooting/ |access-date=23 February 2023 |publisher=RTÉ News |date=23 February 2023}}{{cite news |title=Police confirm shooting of John Caldwell is 'terrorist related' with primary line of inquiry New IRA |url=https://www.itv.com/news/utv/2023-02-24/john-caldwell-shooting-is-terrorist-related-with-main-line-of-inquiry-new-ira |access-date=27 February 2023 |publisher=UTV |date=24 February 2023}}

{{bar box

|title = National Identity of Omagh residents (2021){{cite web |title=National Identity (Irish) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_IRISH_AGG3&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000603 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}}{{cite web |title=National Identity (Northern Irish) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_NORTHERN_IRISH_AGG3&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000603 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}}{{cite web |title=National Identity (British) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_BRITISH&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000603 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}}

|titlebar=#ddd |left1=Nationality |right1=Per cent |float=right

|bars =

{{bar percent|Irish|DarkOrchid|42.4}}

{{bar percent|Northern Irish|grey|32.6}}

{{bar percent|British|Blue|24.0}}

}}

{{Historical populations

| state = collapsed

|1981|14627

|1991|17280

|2001|19910

|2011|19659

|2021|20458

|footnote=According to the World Gazetteer, the following reflects the census data for Omagh since 1981:{{cite web |title=Settlement 2015 |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000603 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}}{{cite web|url=http://www.world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=&men=gpro&lng=en&des=gamelan&dat=200&geo=-1496&srt=pnan&col=aohdqcfbeimg&pt=c&va=&geo=520577269|archive-url=https://archive.today/20071001064401/http://www.world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=&men=gpro&lng=en&des=gamelan&dat=200&geo=-1496&srt=pnan&col=aohdqcfbeimg&pt=c&va=&geo=520577269|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 October 2007|title=Census Data|date=11 March 2007}}

||}}

At the time of the 2021 census, there were 20,458 people living in Omagh. Of these:

• 19.56% were aged under 16, 63.87% were aged between 16-65, and 16.57% were aged 66 and over.{{Cite web |title=Preview data for your table {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=AGE_BAND_AGG3&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000603 |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}}
• 51.37% of the usually resident population were female and 48.63% were male.{{Cite web |title=Preview data for Sex (MS-A07) {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=UR_SEX&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000603 |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}}
• 70.88% (14,500) belong to or were brought up in the Catholic, 22.91% (4,687) belong to or were brought up Protestant (including Christian denominations), 1.11% (228) belong to or were brought up in other religions and 5.1% (1,043) belong to no religion.{{cite web |title=Religion or religion brought up in |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=RELIGION_BELONG_TO_OR_BROUGHT_UP_IN_DVO&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000603 |website=NISRA |access-date=15 August 2023}}
• 43.24% had an Irish national identity,{{Cite web |title=Preview data for National Identity (Irish) {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_IRISH_AGG3&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000603 |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}} 32.62% had a Northern Irish national identity,{{Cite web |title=Preview data for National Identity (Northern Irish) {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_NORTHERN_IRISH_AGG3&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000603 |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}} 24.01% had a British national identity,{{Cite web |title=Preview data for National Identity (British) {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_BRITISH&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000603 |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}} and 11.02% had an 'other' national identity.{{Cite web |title=Preview data for National identity (person based) - basic detail (classification 1) (MS-B15) {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_BASIC&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000603 |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}} (respondents could indicate more than one national identity)
• 16.43% had some knowledge of Irish (Gaeilge) and 5.61% had some knowledge of Ulster Scots.{{Cite web |title=Preview data for Knowledge of Irish (MS-B05) {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=IRISH_SKILLS_INTERMEDIATE&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000603 |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}}{{Cite web |title=Preview data for Knowledge of Ulster-Scots (MS-B08) {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=ULSTER_SCOTS_SKILLS_INTERMEDIATE&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000603 |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}}

On census day 2011 (27 March 2011), there were 19,659 people living in Omagh, accounting for 1.09% of the NI total.{{cite web |title=Census 2011 Population Statistics for Omagh Town Settlement |url=https://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/public/AreaProfileReportViewer.aspx?FromAPAddressMulipleRecords=Omagh%20Town@Partial%20match%20of%20location%20name:%20@Partial%20Match%20Of%20Location%20Name:%20%20Omagh%20Town@23? |url-status=live |publisher=Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) |access-date=10 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806023452/https://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/public/AreaProfileReportViewer.aspx?FromAPAddressMulipleRecords=Omagh%20Town%40Partial%20match%20of%20location%20name%3A%20%40Partial%20Match%20Of%20Location%20Name%3A%20%20Omagh%20Town%4023%3F |archive-date=6 August 2020}} 30px This article contains quotations from this source, which is available under the [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/ Open Government Licence v3.0]. © Crown copyright.[http://www.nisra.gov.uk/Census/pop_2_2011.pdf Census 2011] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304031952/http://www.nisra.gov.uk/Census/pop_2_2011.pdf |date=4 March 2016 }} Of these:

• 20.85% were aged under 16 years and 13.69% were aged 65 and over;
• 51.27% of the usually resident population were female and 48.73% were male;
• 71.32% belong to or were brought up in the Catholic Christian faith and 25.36% belong to or were brought up in a 'Protestant and other Christian (including Christian related)'denominations;
• 36.97% had an Irish national identity, 33.97% had a Northern Irish national identity and 28.51% indicated that they had a British national identity (respondents could indicate more than one national identity);
• 36 years was the average (median) age of the population;
• 13.92% had some knowledge of Irish (Gaeilge) and 4.30% had some knowledge of Ulster-Scots.

File:Omagh Snow 2006.jpg.]]

Omagh has a history of flooding and suffered major floods in 1909, 1929, 1954, 1969, 1987, 1999 and, most recently, 12 June 2007. Flood-walls have been built to keep the water in the channel (River Strule) and to prevent it from overflowing into the flood plain. Large areas of land, mainly around the meanders, are unsuitable for development and were developed into large, green open areas, walking routes and parks. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Cfb" (Marine West Coast Climate/Oceanic climate).{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=591403&cityname=Omagh,%20Northern%20Ireland,%20United%20Kingdom&units=|title=Travel Weather Averages (Weatherbase)|website=Weatherbase.com|access-date=20 October 2016|archive-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923152757/https://www.weatherbase.com/|url-status=live}}

{{Weather box

|location = Omagh

|single line = Yes

|metric first = Yes

|Jan high F = 46

|Feb high F = 48

|Mar high F = 50

|Apr high F = 54

|May high F = 61

|Jun high F = 64

|Jul high F = 66

|Aug high F = 66

|Sep high F = 63

|Oct high F = 55

|Nov high F = 50

|Dec high F = 46

|year high F = 55

|Jan low F = 36

|Feb low F = 36

|Mar low F = 37

|Apr low F = 37

|May low F = 43

|Jun low F = 48

|Jul low F = 52

|Aug low F = 52

|Sep low F = 48

|Oct low F = 43

|Nov low F = 39

|Dec low F = 36

|year low F = 43

|Jan precipitation inch = 4.7

|Feb precipitation inch = 3.1

|Mar precipitation inch = 3.1

|Apr precipitation inch = 2.9

|May precipitation inch = 2.8

|Jun precipitation inch = 2.7

|Jul precipitation inch = 3

|Aug precipitation inch = 2.5

|Sep precipitation inch = 3.4

|Oct precipitation inch = 4.8

|Nov precipitation inch = 3.9

|Dec precipitation inch = 4.6

|year precipitation inch = 41.4

|source 1 = Weatherbase {{cite web |title=Weatherbase.com |url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=591403&cityname=Omagh-Northern-Ireland |url-status=live |publisher=Weatherbase |year=2013 |access-date=12 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923152740/http://www.weatherbase.com/ |archive-date=23 September 2021}} Retrieved on 12 July 2013.

|date=July 2013

}}

The following wards cover the town:{{fact|date=February 2025}}

• Camowen (2001 population: 2,377)
• Coolnagard (2,547)
• Dergmoney (1,930)
• Drumragh (2,481)
• Gortrush (2,786)
• Killyclogher (2,945)
• Lisanelly (2,973)
• Strule (1,780){{fact|date=February 2025}}

The central urban area south of River Strule forms the townland of Omagh[https://www.townlands.ie/en/tyrone/east-omagh/drumragh/omagh-urban/omagh/ townlands.ie, Omagh Townland, Co. Tyrone] in the civil parish of Drumragh,[https://www.townlands.ie/tyrone/drumragh/ townlands.ie, Civil Parish of Drumragh, Co. Tyrone] the adjacent area north of the river forms the townland of Lisnamllard[https://www.townlands.ie/en/tyrone/strabane-upper/cappagh-upper-strabane-portion/omagh-urban/lisnamallard/ Lisnamallard Townland, Co. Tyrone] in the civil parish of Cappagh (Upper Strabane portion).[https://www.townlands.ie/en/tyrone/cappagh-upper-strabane-portion/ townlands.ie, Civil Parish of Cappagh (Upper Strabane portion), Co. Tyrone]

Both civil parishes comprise also outskirts of Omagh and some surrounding countryside.

Omagh Urban Electoral Division comprises both townlands.

File:The four hill churches (St Columba's COI), Omagh - geograph.org.uk - 754131.jpg in Omagh.]]

The town sprang up within the townland of Omagh, in the parish of Drumragh. Over time, the urban area has spread into the surrounding townlands. They include:{{cite web|url=http://www.placenamesni.org/resultsdetail.phtml?entry=|title=Northern Ireland Placenames Project|website=Placenamesni.org|access-date=28 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727175418/http://www.placenamesni.org/resultsdetail.phtml?entry=|archive-date=27 July 2011|url-status=dead}}

• Campsie ({{etymology|ga|Camsan|river bends}})
• Conywarren (an old name for a rabbit warren)
• Coolnagard Lower, Coolnagard Upper ({{etymology|ga|Cúil na gCeard|nook/corner of the craftsmen}} or {{etymology|ga|Cúl na gCeard|hill-back of the craftsmen}}){{cite web | url=http://www.placenamesni.org/resultsdetail.phtml?entry=4854 | title=Northern Ireland Placenames Project – Coolnagard | website=Placenamesni.org | access-date=28 June 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727175751/http://www.placenamesni.org/resultsdetail.phtml?entry=4854 | archive-date=27 July 2011 | url-status=dead }}
• Crevenagh ({{etymology|ga|Craobhanach|bushy place}})
• Culmore ({{etymology|ga|Cúil Mhór|big nook/corner}}){{cite web | url=http://www.placenamesni.org/resultsdetail.phtml?entry=20700 | title=Northern Ireland Placenames Project – Culmore | website=Placenamesni.org | access-date=28 June 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727175823/http://www.placenamesni.org/resultsdetail.phtml?entry=20700 | archive-date=27 July 2011 | url-status=dead }}
• Dergmoney Lower, Dergmoney Upper ({{etymology|ga|Deargmhuine|red thicket}}){{cite web | url=http://www.placenamesni.org/resultsdetail.phtml?entry=20701 | title=Northern Ireland Placenames Project – Dergmoney | website=Placenamesni.org | access-date=28 June 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727175842/http://www.placenamesni.org/resultsdetail.phtml?entry=20701 | archive-date=27 July 2011 | url-status=dead }}
• Gortin ({{etymology|ga|Goirtín|little tilled field}})
• Gortmore ({{etymology|ga|Gort Mór|big tilled field}}){{cite web|url=http://www.placenamesni.org/resultsdetail.phtml?entry=20705|title=Northern Ireland Placenames Project – Gortmore|website=Placenamesni.org|access-date=28 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727175913/http://www.placenamesni.org/resultsdetail.phtml?entry=20705|archive-date=27 July 2011|url-status=dead}}
• Killybrack ({{etymology|ga|Coillidh Bhreac|speckled wood}}){{cite web|url=http://www.placenamesni.org/resultsdetail.phtml?entry=4632|title=Northern Ireland Placenames Project – Killybrack|website=Placenamesni.org|access-date=28 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727180003/http://www.placenamesni.org/resultsdetail.phtml?entry=4632|archive-date=27 July 2011|url-status=dead}}
• Killyclogher ({{etymology|ga|Coillidh Chlochair|wood of the stony place}}){{cite web|url=http://www.placenamesni.org/resultsdetail.phtml?entry=5028|title=Northern Ireland Placenames Project – Killyclogher|website=Placenamesni.org|access-date=28 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727180112/http://www.placenamesni.org/resultsdetail.phtml?entry=5028|archive-date=27 July 2011|url-status=dead}}
• Lammy ({{etymology|ga|Leamhaigh|place of elms}}){{cite web|url=http://www.placenamesni.org/resultsdetail.phtml?entry=3557|title=Northern Ireland Placenames Project – Lammy|website=Placenamesni.org|access-date=28 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727180231/http://www.placenamesni.org/resultsdetail.phtml?entry=3557|archive-date=27 July 2011|url-status=dead}}
• Lisanelly ({{etymology|ga|Lios an Ailigh|ringfort of the stony place}}){{cite web|url=http://www.placenamesni.org/resultsdetail.phtml?entry=20914|title=Northern Ireland Placenames Project – Lisanelly|website=Placenamesni.org|access-date=28 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727180254/http://www.placenamesni.org/resultsdetail.phtml?entry=20914|archive-date=27 July 2011|url-status=dead}}
• Lisnamallard ({{etymology|ga|Lios na Mallacht|ringfort of the curse}}){{cite web|url=http://www.placenamesni.org/resultsdetail.phtml?entry=20463|title=Northern Ireland Placenames Project – Lisnamallard|website=Placenamesni.org|access-date=28 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727180438/http://www.placenamesni.org/resultsdetail.phtml?entry=20463|archive-date=27 July 2011|url-status=dead}}
• Lissan ({{etymology|ga|Liosán|small ringfort}}){{cite web|url=http://www.placenamesni.org/resultsdetail.phtml?entry=4932|title=Northern Ireland Placenames Project – Lissan|website=Placenamesni.org|access-date=28 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727180459/http://www.placenamesni.org/resultsdetail.phtml?entry=4932|archive-date=27 July 2011|url-status=dead}}
• Mullaghmore ({{etymology|ga|Mullach Mór|big hilltop}}){{cite web|url=http://www.placenamesni.org/resultsdetail.phtml?entry=8450|title=Northern Ireland Placenames Project – Mullaghmore|website=Placenamesni.org|access-date=28 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727180619/http://www.placenamesni.org/resultsdetail.phtml?entry=8450|archive-date=27 July 2011|url-status=dead}}
• Sedennan (possibly {{etymology|ga|Sidh Dianáin|Dennan's fairy mound}}){{cite web|url=http://www.placenamesni.org/resultsdetail.phtml?entry=20710|title=Northern Ireland Placenames Project – Sadennan|website=Placenamesni.org|access-date=28 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727180643/http://www.placenamesni.org/resultsdetail.phtml?entry=20710|archive-date=27 July 2011|url-status=dead}}
• Strathroy or Straughroy ({{etymology|ga|Srath Crua|the hard river-holm}}){{cite web|url=http://www.placenamesni.org/resultsdetail.phtml?entry=3659|title=Northern Ireland Placenames Project – Straughroy|website=Placenamesni.org|access-date=28 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727180715/http://www.placenamesni.org/resultsdetail.phtml?entry=3659|archive-date=27 July 2011|url-status=dead}}

File:Omagh lower market street in 2001.jpg

Omagh is the main retail centre for Tyrone, as well as the West of Ulster (behind Derry and Letterkenny), due to its central location. In the period 2000–2003, over £80 million was invested in Omagh, and {{convert|60960|m2|ft2|abbr=on}} of new retail space was created. Shopping areas in Omagh include the Main Street, Great Northern Road Retail Park and the Showgrounds Retail Park on Sedan Avenue in the town centre. Market Street/High Street is also a prominent shopping street, which includes high street stores such as DV8 and Primark.

Strule Arts Centre is an example of urban renewal in Omagh town centre. Opened in 2007, this civic building is located in a newly created public space which was reclaimed from a formerly disused area between the River Strule and High Street.{{fact|date=February 2025}}

The Mid Ulster Film Festival, established in 2004,{{cite web |date=20 April 2004 |title=Omagh adds to growing Irish film festival circuit |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/arid-30143713.html |work=Irish Examiner}} took place in Omagh until its cancellation in 2010.{{cite web |title=Mid Ulster Film Festival website |url=https://www.midulsterfilmfestival.com |accessdate=6 June 2024 |website=midulsterfilmfestival.com}}

File:Glenpark Road - geograph.org.uk - 1503127.jpg

The 'Omagh Accessible Shared Inclusive Space' (OASIS), a £4.5 million facelift for Omagh's riverbank, was funded by the European Union and planning approved in 2013.{{cite web |url=http://ulsterherald.com/2013/04/04/omaghs-riverbank-area-to-get-4-5-million-facelift/ |title=Omagh's riverbank area to get £4.5 million facelift |website=ulsterherald.com |publisher=Ulster Herald |date=4 April 2013 |access-date=20 October 2016 |archive-date=12 August 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140812014613/http://ulsterherald.com/2013/04/04/omaghs-riverbank-area-to-get-4-5-million-facelift/ |url-status=live }} Construction began in March 2014, and the OASIS plaza was officially opened in June 2015.{{cite web | url = https://ulsterherald.com/2015/06/21/omaghs-4-5m-oasis-project-is-ready-to-rock/ | publisher = Ulster Herald | website = ulsterherald.com | date = 21 June 2015 | title = Omagh's £4.5m OASIS project is ready to rock | access-date = 30 January 2019 | archive-date = 25 July 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150725203834/http://ulsterherald.com/2015/06/21/omaghs-4-5m-oasis-project-is-ready-to-rock/ | url-status = live }}

The Ulster American Folk Park, near Omagh, includes the cottage where Thomas Mellon was born (in 1813) before his family emigrated to Pennsylvania in the United States. His son, Andrew W. Mellon, became secretary of the US Treasury. The park is an open-air museum that explores the journey made by the Irish (specifically those from Ulster) to America during the 1800s. The park is used to host seasonal events and also hosts a Bluegrass festival every year. Over 127,000 people visited the park in 2003.{{cite web |url=http://www.folkpark.com/ |title=National Museums Northern Ireland – Welcome |website=Folkpark.com |access-date=20 October 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704101109/http://www.folkpark.com/ |archive-date=4 July 2009 |df=dmy-all }}

The Gortin Glens Forest Park, {{convert|16|km|mi}} north of Omagh, is a large forest with a deer enclosure and several waterfalls and lakes.

Omagh has over 20 playgrounds for children,{{cite web|url=http://www.omagh.gov.uk/quality_of_life/healthy_district/childrens_play_area/|title=Omagh District : Quality Of Life : Healthy District : Childrens Play Area : Omagh County Town of Tyrone Northern Ireland at the Foothills of the Sperrins|date=26 July 2003|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030726014516/http://www.omagh.gov.uk/quality_of_life/healthy_district/childrens_play_area/|archive-date=26 July 2003|df=dmy-all}} and several public green spaces. The largest of these is the Grange Park near the town centre. Several areas alongside the River Strule have also been developed into open areas. Omagh Leisure Complex is a public amenity, near Grange Park on {{convert|11|ha|acre|abbr=off}} of landscaped grounds, which has a leisure centre, boating pond, astroturf pitch and cycle paths.{{fact|date=February 2025}}

File:Omagh - geograph.org.uk - 507071.jpg

As of the 21st century, neither the town nor the district of Omagh has any railway service.

The Irish gauge {{RailGauge|1600mm}} Londonderry and Enniskillen Railway (L&ER) opened as far as Omagh on 3 September 1852{{cite web |title=Omagh station |work=Railscot – Irish Railways |url=http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf |access-date=22 November 2007 |archive-date=26 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926042407/http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf |url-status=live }} and was extended to Enniskillen in 1854.{{cite book |last=Hajducki |first=S. Maxwell |year=1974 |title=A Railway Atlas of Ireland |location=Newton Abbott |publisher=David & Charles |isbn=0-7153-5167-2 |at=map 7}} The Portadown, Dungannon and Omagh Junction Railway (PD&O) reached Omagh in 1861, completing the Portadown – Derry route that came to be informally called "The Derry Road".{{cite book |last=FitzGerald |first=J.D. |year=1995 |series=Colourpoint Transport |title=The Derry Road |location=Gortrush |publisher=Colourpoint Press |isbn=1-898392-09-9}} The Great Northern Railway (Ireland) absorbed the PD&O in 1876Hajducki, op. cit., page xiii and the L&ER in 1883.

The Government of Northern Ireland made the GNR Board close the Omagh – Enniskillen line in 1957. The Ulster Transport Authority took over the GNR's remaining lines in Northern Ireland in 1958. In accordance with The Benson Report submitted to the Northern Ireland Government in 1963, the UTA closed the "Derry Road" through Omagh on 15 February 1965.Hajducki, op. cit., map 39Baker, op. cit., pages 155, 209 Later the Omagh Throughpass road was built on the disused trackbed through Omagh railway station.

As of 2014, there were plans to reopen railway lines in Northern Ireland including the Derry Road from {{rws|Portadown}} to Derry via {{rws|Dungannon}} to Omagh and {{rws|Strabane|GNRI}}.{{cite web|url= http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/europe/new-lines-proposed-in-northern-ireland-rail-strategy.html|title= New lines proposed in Northern Ireland rail plan|publisher= Railjournal.com|date= 3 May 2014|access-date= 7 June 2015|archive-date= 24 September 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150924085211/http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/europe/new-lines-proposed-in-northern-ireland-rail-strategy.html|url-status= live}}

File:The Omagh Bus - geograph.org.uk - 539651 crop.jpg in 2007 in Omagh Ulsterbus station.]]

Bus Services in Omagh are operated by Ulsterbus.{{cite web|url=https://bustimes.org/services/384b-omagh-buscentre-omagh-buscentre-2|title=Omagh, Buscentre|publisher=Bus Times|access-date=29 November 2022}}

• A32 (Omagh – Enniskillen – Ballinamore) (Becomes N87 at border)
• A5 (Northbound) (Omagh – Strabane [and from here north-west to Letterkenny, via Lifford on the A38, becoming the N14 at the county border] – Derry)
• A5 (Southbound) (Omagh – Monaghan – Ashbourne – Dublin) (Becomes N2 at border)
• A4 (Eastbound) (Omagh – Dungannon – Belfast) (A4 joins A5 near Ballygawley)
• A505 (Eastbound) (Omagh – Cookstown)
• The Omagh Throughpass (Stage 3) opened on 18 August 2006.

Omagh has a number of educational institutions at different levels. These include at least 10 primary schools.{{fact|date=February 2025}}

The town was previously the headquarters of the Western Education and Library Board (WELB), located at Campsie House on the Hospital Road, before all local education boards in Northern Ireland were combined into the Education Authority in 2015.

Grammar and secondary schools in the area include Christian Brothers Grammar School, Drumragh Integrated College, Loreto Grammar School, Omagh Academy, Omagh High School and Sacred Heart College.{{fact|date=February 2025}}

The Department for Education proposed to co-locate Omagh's six existing secondary schools on the former 190-acre St Lucia Army Barracks, as one large shared educational campus. In April 2009, at the inaugural Lisanelly Shared Educational Campus Steering Group meeting held in Arvalee School and Resource Centre, the Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane announced that funding had been allocated for exemplar designs and associated technical work for a shared educational campus.{{cite web|url=http://www.omaghlisanellycampus.org/?page_id%3D2 |title=Omagh Schools Campus » About the Project |access-date=5 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209060846/http://www.omaghlisanellycampus.org/?page_id=2 |archive-date=9 December 2013 }} The construction was expected to cost in excess of £120 million.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-24634794|title=Lisanelly: Work begins to create shared campus in Omagh|date=23 October 2013|publisher=BBC|access-date=21 June 2018|archive-date=29 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229214240/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-24634794|url-status=live}} As of March 2022, the shared education campus was scheduled to open in 2026.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-60708475|title=Landmark Strule shared education campus faces further delay|date=12 March 2022|newspaper=BBC|access-date=29 November 2022}}

A campus of South West College, known until 2007 as the Omagh College of Further Education, is located in the town centre.{{cite web|url =https://swc.ac.uk/about/explore | website = swc.ac.uk | title = Explore Our Campuses | date = | accessdate = 14 February 2025 | quote = Since the South West College Merger in 2007, our campuses and facilities across Tyrone and Fermanagh have been ever-evolving [..] Our Omagh Campus is in the town centre }}

File:First Omagh Church with a mantle of trees - geograph.org.uk - 1020671.jpg

The following is a list of religious buildings in Omagh:{{fact|date=February 2025}}

• Christ the King (Roman Catholic)
• Evangelical Presbyterian Church
• Gillygooley Presbyterian Church
• First Omagh Presbyterian
• Independent Methodist
• Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses
• Omagh Baptist
• Omagh Community Church (non-denominational)
• Omagh Free Presbyterian Church
• Omagh Gospel Hall (A company of Christians sometimes referred to as "open brethren")
• Omagh Methodist
• Sacred Heart (Roman Catholic)
• St. Columba's (Church of Ireland)
• St. Mary's ( Roman Catholic)
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church)
• Trinity Presbyterian Church

The town has two Gaelic football clubs, Omagh St. Enda's, which plays its home games in Healy Park, and Drumragh Sarsfields, which plays its home games at Clanabogan.

Healy Park is the home of Tyrone GAA and the county's largest and main sports stadium located on the Gortin Road, has a capacity nearing 25,000,{{cite web|title=World Stadiums|url=http://www.worldstadiums.com/europe/countries/united_kingdom/northern_ireland.shtml|access-date=7 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160925043159/http://www.worldstadiums.com/europe/countries/united_kingdom/northern_ireland.shtml|archive-date=25 September 2016|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ulstercollegesgaa.org/venues/healy-park|title=Healy Park, Omagh|publisher=Ulster Colleges GAA|access-date=7 March 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728142006/http://www.ulstercollegesgaa.org/venues/healy-park|archive-date=28 July 2011|df=dmy-all}} and had the distinction of being the first Gaelic-games stadium in Ulster to have floodlights.{{cite news|title=Healy Park set to unveil lights|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/northern_ireland/gaelic_games/4875746.stm|work=BBC News|date=6 April 2006|access-date=7 March 2011|archive-date=3 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403044644/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/northern_ireland/gaelic_games/4875746.stm|url-status=live}}

The stadium now hosts the latter matches of the Tyrone Senior Football Championship, as well as Tyrone's home games, and other inter-county matches that require a neutral venue.{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2007/0716/championship.html?gaa|title=RTÉ Sport: Championship details are confirmed|website=RTÉ.ie|date=18 August 2007|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070818194804/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2007/0716/championship.html?gaa|archive-date=18 August 2007|df=dmy-all}}

Omagh no longer has a top-flight local football team, since the demise of Omagh Town F.C. in 2005. Strathroy Harps FC are the only Omagh and Tyrone team to win the Irish junior cup twice in 2012 and 2013.

Omagh's rugby team, Omagh Academicals (nicknamed the "Accies"), is an amateur team, made up of primarily of local players.

A greyhound racing track operated from 1932 until 1940.{{cite book|last=Barnes|first=Julia|title=Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File, page 420|year=1988|publisher=Ringpress Books|isbn=0-948955-15-5}} The track was opened by the Duke of Abercorn on 25 May 1932 and racing took place at 'The Park' in the Showgrounds. It was organised by the Tyrone Greyhound Racing Association until 1940.{{cite news|title=Omagh's New greyhound Racign Track – 9 May 1932|year=1932|newspaper=Belfast Telegraph – Belfast, Antrim}}

Omagh Cavaliers Cricket Club is also located in Omagh.{{fact|date=February 2025}}

Omagh is twinned with L'Haÿ-les-Roses in France.{{fact|date=February 2025}}

{{See also|Category:People from Omagh}}

• Willie Anderson (born 1955) – Ireland Rugby Union international
• Charles Beattie (1899–1958) – auctioneer and MP
• Barley Bree – Irish folk group
• Janet Devlin (born 1994) – X-Factor finalist 2011 (5th place)
• Martina Devlin – journalist and author
• Brian Friel (1929–2015) – playwright, born in Knockmoyle near Omagh
• Gerald Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster (1951–2016) – peer and major landowner
• Jimmy Kennedy (1902–1984) – Songwriter's Hall of Fame-inductee (Red Sails in the Sunset, Teddy Bears' Picnic){{cite web|url=http://songwritershalloffame.org/inductee_ceremony_detail.asp?ceremonyId=9&inducteeCeremonyId=79|title=Songwriters Hall of Fame|date=17 May 2003|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030517113835/http://songwritershalloffame.org/inductee_ceremony_detail.asp?ceremonyId=9&inducteeCeremonyId=79|archive-date=17 May 2003|df=dmy-all}}
• Benedict Kiely (1919–2007) – author (Land Without Stars){{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0209/kielyd.html|title=RTÉ News: Writer Benedict Kiely dies aged 87|website=RTÉ.ie|date=23 March 2007|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070323072243/http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0209/kielyd.html|archive-date=23 March 2007|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.irishwriters-online.com/benedictkiely.html|title=Benedict Kiely|date=12 June 2002|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020612082741/http://www.irishwriters-online.com/benedictkiely.html|archive-date=12 June 2002|df=dmy-all}}
• Linda Martin (born 1947) – musician (Eurovision Song Contest-winner 1992)
• Patrick McAlinney (1913–1990) – actor{{IMDb name|0563935|Patrick McAlinney}} (The Tomorrow People)
• Aoife McArdle – film director
• Frankie McBride (born 1944) – country musician
• Whitey McDonald (born 1902) – football player Northern Ireland national football team, Rangers F.C. and Bethlehem Steel F.C. (1907–30). Inductee, Canada Soccer Hall of Fame.
• Arty McGlynn (1944–2019) – guitarist
• Joe McMahon (born 1983) – All-Ireland-winning Tyrone Gaelic footballer.
• Justin McMahon – All-Ireland-winning Tyrone Gaelic footballer.
• Gerard McSorley (born 1950) – actor,{{IMDb name|0574561|Gerard McSorley}} films include Veronica Guerin and Omagh
• John Meahan (1806–1902) – New Brunswick shipbuilder and politician, born and raised in Omagh
• Thomas Mellon (1813-1908) – Irish-American businessman, judge, bank founder
• Alice Milligan (1865–1953) – Protestant Nationalist poet
• Sam Neill (born 1947) – Jurassic Park actor (born in Omagh){{IMDb name|0000554|Sam Neill}}
• Jim Shannon (born 1955) – MP
• Pat Sharkey (born 1953) – Ipswich Town F.C. and Northern Irish football player in the 1970s
• Ivan Sproule (born 1981) – former Northern Irish football international
• Phil Taggart (born 1987) – BBC Radio 1 DJ
• Philip Turbett (born 1961) – bassoonist, clarinettist and saxophonist
• Juliet Turner – singer/songwriter

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|Omagh}}

{{Wikivoyage}}

• [http://www.omaghchamber.com/ Omagh Chamber of Commerce & Industry Website]
• [http://www.libraryireland.com/UlsterDirectory1910/Omagh.php/ Omagh Directory 1910]
• [https://www.flickr.com/groups/390346@N25/ Flickr group of Omagh photos]
• {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Omagh |short=x}}

{{Northern Ireland towns}}

{{County Tyrone}}

{{authority control}}

Category:County towns in Northern Ireland

Category:Towns in County Tyrone

Category:Aviation accidents and incidents locations in Northern Ireland