Strabane facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Strabane Irish: An Srath Bán
Town
The Square, town centre of Strabane
Strabane
Population	13,507 (2021 census)
District	Derry and Strabane
County	County Tyrone
Country	Northern Ireland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Strabane
Postcode district	BT82
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	www.derrystrabane.com
List of places UK Northern Ireland Tyrone 54°50′N 7°28′W / 54.83°N 7.47°W / 54.83; -7.47

Strabane (/strəˈbæn/; from Irish: An Srath Bán, meaning "the white river-holm") is a town in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland.

In 2021, Strabane had a population of 13,507 people. It is located on the east bank of the River Foyle. The town is about halfway between Omagh, Derry, and Letterkenny. The River Foyle also forms part of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Just across the river, connected by Lifford Bridge, is the town of Lifford. Lifford is the main town of County Donegal. The River Mourne flows through Strabane and joins the Finn to create the Foyle River. A large hill called Knockavoe, which is the start of the Sperrin Mountains, stands behind the town.

History of Strabane

Ancient Times

The area around Strabane has been home to people for a very long time. As far back as the 300s AD, a group of northern Celts lived here. Later, important religious leaders like Saint Patrick and St. Colmcille visited the area. They helped set up churches and monasteries, including one at Leckpatrick.

Middle Ages and Early Settlements

Around AD 832, Vikings arrived in the area near Lifford. They stayed along the Foyle River until AD 863. Later, in 1231, Franciscan friars started a religious community in Strabane.

In the 1600s, Scottish families began to settle in the town. This happened before the larger settlement of Ulster, known as the Plantation of Ulster. In 1608, during a conflict called O'Doherty's Rebellion, many people left Strabane for safety.

Strabane in the 20th Century

Main Street, Strabane

In 1921, Strabane became a border town when Ireland was divided. Because it was right on the border, Strabane faced many difficulties during a period known as the Troubles, starting in the early 1970s.

During this time, the town experienced significant damage. For example, Strabane Town Hall was destroyed in 1972. Various groups involved in the conflict caused disruptions and damage. Strabane was one of the towns most affected by these events in Northern Ireland.

Many people, including civilians and members of security forces, were impacted in the area. British Army soldiers from different parts of the UK served in Strabane during this period. After the Good Friday Agreement, a peace agreement, the British Army left the town.

Strabane also took part in the Ulster Project International. This program sent young Catholic and Protestant teenagers to the United States. The goal was to help them learn to get along and reduce prejudice.

At one point, Strabane had a very high unemployment rate. This meant many people did not have jobs. The town also suffered economic damage when a large flood hit the town centre in 1987.

In 2005, a TV show suggested Strabane was not a great place to live, mainly because of unemployment. However, by 2007, things had improved. To help with job issues, the Strabane Community Unemployed Group was created. This group works to find solutions for long-term unemployment.

Getting Around Strabane

Railways and Trains

The Lifford Bridge, connecting Lifford in the Republic and Strabane in Northern Ireland

Abercorn Square, Strabane

Strabane was once an important railway town. The Londonderry and Enniskillen Railway reached Strabane in 1847. Over the years, different railway companies operated lines connecting Strabane to other towns like Omagh, Enniskillen, Stranorlar, and Derry.

After Ireland was divided in 1922, the border caused problems for the railways. Trains had to stop for customs inspections, which made journeys longer. Many railway lines in the area eventually closed. The last railway line through Strabane closed in 1965.

Today, there are no active railway lines in Strabane. The closest train station is in Derry~Londonderry. From there, you can take a train to Coleraine and Belfast.

People of Strabane

Population and Backgrounds (2021 Census)

In 2021, 13,507 people lived in Strabane. Here's a quick look at the population:

• About 21% of residents were under 16 years old.
• About 63% were between 16 and 65 years old.
• About 16% were 66 years old or older.
• Slightly more than half (51.83%) of the residents were female.
• Most people (91.96%) identified as Catholic or were raised in the Catholic faith.
• About 5.46% identified as Protestant or other Christian faiths.
• When asked about their national identity:

* About 64% identified only as 'Irish'. * About 21.6% identified only as 'Northern Irish'. * About 6.77% identified only as 'British'.

• About 19.57% of people had some knowledge of the Irish language (Gaeilge).
• About 2.65% had some knowledge of Ulster-Scots.

Culture and Activities

Sports in Strabane

Strabane has a strong sporting community:

• The local Gaelic football team is called Strabane Sigersons.
• There are two cricket clubs: Strabane Cricket Club and Fox Lodge Cricket Club.
• Strabane Athletic F.C. is the town's football team.
• Strabane also has three golf courses, including the 18-hole Strabane Golf Course.
• Fishing is popular here, with several rivers and loughs (lakes) nearby. The Strabane Glen, a beautiful wooded area, is a special scientific site.

Irish Language and Local Sayings

Strabane has an Irish-language nursery school, Naíscoil an tSratha Báin, and a primary school called a Gaelscoil.

A common greeting in Strabane is "Have ye any bars?" This means "What's the news?" or "What's the latest gossip?" It might come from an Irish phrase meaning "a tasty piece of news."

Music and Arts Scene

The sculpture known locally as The Tinnies on the outskirts of Strabane

The Alley Arts and Conference Centre opened in 2007. It has a 270-seat theatre, an art gallery, a tourist information centre, and a cafe. The Alley has won awards for its design and for supporting arts and business. It hosts many events, including music and drama festivals.

Every year, Strabane holds a Saint Patrick's Day Parade. One of the town's most famous features is a group of five large steel sculptures on the riverbanks. They show two dancers, a fiddle player, a flute player, and a drummer. People often call them The Tinnies.

Places of Worship

Sacred Heart Roman Catholic church.

Christ Church (Church of Ireland) in Strabane

Most residents of Strabane are from a Catholic background (91.57% in 2011), and 7.22% are from a Protestant background. The town has several churches:

• The main Catholic churches are the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Sacred Heart Church, and St. Mary's Church.
• The main Church of Ireland church is Christ Church.
• There are also Presbyterian and Methodist churches in the town.

Education in Strabane

Strabane offers a range of schools for children and teenagers. Parents can also choose schools in nearby towns like Derry, Omagh, and Donegal.

There are two main secondary schools:

• Holy Cross College was formed in 2003 by combining three Catholic schools. It opened a new building in 2009 and teaches about 1,400 students. It offers both academic and vocational courses.
• Strabane Academy was created in 2011 when Strabane Grammar School and Strabane High School merged.

For students over 16, the North West Regional College has a campus in Strabane. It offers many different courses.

Interesting Places to Visit

• The National Trust owns a shop in Strabane where John Dunlap learned to print. John Dunlap later became famous for printing the United States Declaration of Independence.
• Dergalt, the old family home of Woodrow Wilson, who was the 28th President of the United States, is located near Strabane.
• In 2014, a mural was painted in Townsend Street to show support for the people of Palestine.

Communications

The Strabane transmitting station is a very tall structure used for broadcasting radio and TV signals. It is 305.5 meters (1,002 feet) high, making it the tallest structure in Ireland. It started working in 1963.

Famous People from Strabane

• Paul Brady, a singer and songwriter.
• Declan Curry, a BBC One news reporter.
• Ryan Dolan, a singer who represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013.
• Brian Dooher, a famous Gaelic football player for Tyrone.
• Hugo Duncan, a popular entertainer and radio presenter.
• John Dunlap, the printer of the United States Declaration of Independence.
• Niamh Houston, also known as Chipzel, a musician famous for her 8-bit music.
• Annie Russell Maunder, an astronomer.
• Flann O'Brien, a well-known writer and humorist.
• Stephen O'Neill, another famous Gaelic football player for Tyrone.
• Rory Patterson, a football striker.
• Dr George Sigerson, a Gaelic activist.

Images for kids

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  Photograph of Strabane Fair by Herbert F. Cooper, c. 1910 (PRONI)

See also

In Spanish: Strabane para niños