Eskra

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Eskra
Tyrone

Corkhill Road traversing Eskra townland
Location
Grid reference: H515594
Location: 54°28’52"N, 7°12’22"W
Data
Population: 815  (1995 est.)
Post town: Omagh
Postcode: BT78
Dialling code: 028
Local Government
Council: Fermanagh and Omagh
Parliamentary
constituency:
West Tyrone

Eskra or Eskragh is a small village and townland in the south-west of Tyrone, on the road from Omagh to Clogher, about ten miles from Omagh and four miles from Clogher.

The village has two churches, one of each, and a single pub, the Bridge Tavern (also known as O'Hagan's).

Eskra lies stands the hilly land overlooking Augher and the Clogher valley. Its most notable geological feature and historical site is Knockmany Hill.

Churches

St Patrick's RC Church
  • Church of Ireland: St Mark's
  • Roman Catholic: St Patrick's

About the village

The local Community Centre is widely used for a variety of functions and family events.

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 Connaught.

Many sites of mass rocks from the days of the Penal Laws are still identified by the local people, including 'The Altar Field' near Cullen's Point in the townland of Cormore

The old St Patrick's Church, sometimes known as the 'Lower Mountain Church' was really a barn bought from a local farmer named Traynor and upgraded to serve as a church for Roman Catholic villagers in the first quarter of the 19th century. A cemetery developed around The present St Patrick's Church was dedicated in 1978 but the altar stone, the tabernacle, the bell and two statues were transferred from the old church.

Sport

  • Gaelic football: Eskra Emmetts

References