Eskra

Eskra Irish: Eiscreach
Population	815 (1995 Parish Figures)
• Belfast	53 miles
District	Omagh District
County	County Tyrone
Country	Northern Ireland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	OMAGH
Postcode district	BT78
Dialling code	028 82
UK Parliament	West Tyrone

Eskra or Eskragh (from Irish Eiscreach 'sandy mounds') is a small village located in the south-west of County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is located on the Omagh to Clogher road, about 10 miles from Omagh and about 4 miles from Clogher. It was originally part of Clogher and also contains the hamlet of Newtownsaville.

The Roman Catholic parish church is named St. Patrick's. The Protestant Church of Ireland is named St. Mark's. Drinkers in the village are served by the Bridge Tavern (also known as O'Hagan's) and Marlow's Pub in Newtownsaville (formerly known as McSorley's).

Geography

Eskra is located in the hilly land overlooking Augher and the Clogher Valley. Its most notable geological feature and historical site is Knockmany Hill.

Demographics

Until 1869 Eskra was part of Clogher Parish. In 1841 before the Potato Famine, the population of the present Eskra Parish was 4,713. In June 1995 there were 815 people in the parish, 70 percent of whom were Roman Catholic.

Places of interest

• On the crown of the wooded hill stands a remarkable megalithic monument - a chambered cairn, sometimes styled Aynia's cave. Queen Aynia, who gave her name to the hill and townland, is said to have been full sister to Queen Medhbh of Connacht.
• Many sites of penal day massrocks are still remembered by the local people. One such hallowed spot is 'The Altar Field' near Cullen's Point in the townland of Cormore.
• Another is in the hallow at the rear of the new church in Lisnarable. The old St. Patrick's Church - sometimes referred to as the 'Lower Mountain Church' was really a barn bought from a local farmer named Traynor and upgraded to serve as a church in the first quarter of the 19th century. The cemetery which developed around it was consecrated on Sunday, 25 October 1840 by Bishop Edward Kernan. On 20 August 1978 the present St. Patrick's Church was dedicated by Bishop Mulligan. The altar stone, the tabernacle, the bell and two fine restored statues were transferred from the old church to highlight the link with the past. In the new church with its pipe organ, Father Eddie Murphy, then Parish Priest, has left a memorable legacy on the parish of Eskra.

Sport

Eskra is home to Eskra Emmetts Gaelic football club.

• Eskra Gala 15 November 2008 in Great Northern hotel Bundoran...................

Townlands

(This list is not necessarily complete)

• Altenarvagh
• Beltany
• Cloneylaugh
• Cormore
• Dromore Lower
• Dunbiggan
• Eskra
• Eskermore
• Fernaghandrum
• Kilnaheery
• Knockmany
• Lisnarable
• Lurganglare
• Tamlaght
• Tatnadavnet
• Tulnafoile
• Tullycorker
• Tychanny

See also

• List of villages in Northern Ireland
• List of towns in Northern Ireland