Omagh rich in heritage

Omagh is the county town of Tyrone, set where the rivers Drumragh and Camowen meet to form the Strule. The town's name comes from the Irish An Ómaigh, meaning the virgin plain, and a settlement has stood here since at least the 15th century. Its skyline is dominated by the twin spires of the Sacred Heart Church, a Gothic Revival landmark completed in 1899 that crowns the rise above the main shopping streets.

The historic centre is compact and walkable, with the elegant Georgian courthouse standing at the head of the High Street and a lively mix of independent shops, cafes and traditional pubs running down towards the river. Heritage walking trails interpret the town's long story, including the moving Memorial Gardens dedicated to the victims of the 1998 bombing, a quiet and reflective space at the heart of the community.

Omagh is also the gateway to the Ulster American Folk Park just outside town, one of Northern Ireland's most popular open-air museums, and to the surrounding Sperrin Mountains, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty rich in walking, cycling and dark-sky stargazing. The town makes a natural base for exploring west Tyrone.