Sixmilecross

Sixmilecross
Tyrone
Location
Grid reference:	H5768
Location:	54°33’25"N, 7°7’5"W
Data
Population:	282  (2001)
Post town:	Omagh
Postcode:	BT79
Dialling code:	028
Local Government
Council:	Fermanagh and Omagh
Parliamentary constituency:	West Tyrone

Sixmilecross is a small village in Tyrone, 9 miles southeast of Omagh. The village has a wide, tree-lined main street and a population of 282 in the 2001.

The village's name is said to be derived from a Celtic cross that stood in a field outside of the village, in the townland of Aughnaglea, stranding at a distance of six Irish miles from Omagh. The original Irish name for Sixmilecross was Na Corracha Mora, which refers to marshy ground, probably the ground that runs along the Glusha river at the back of the village.

History

The great O'Neill dynasty of Tyrone had some connection with the area because the hill above the village was known as Tulach Uí Neill, meaning O'Neill's Hill. It lies above the Presbyterian Church in the village and is still known as Tullyneil. Tullyneil Hill is said to be the geographical centre of Ulster

Sixmilecross is believed to have been established in 1634. St Michael's Church of Ireland has a stained glass window commemorating the Dunlap family, one of whom, John Dunlap printed the United States Declaration of Independence. The portadown, Dungannon and Omagh Junction Railway opened Sixmilecross railway station in September 1861 and the Ulster Transport Authority closed the station and the PD&O line in February 1965. .

Sixmilecross was the home of the poet WF Marshall whose contribution to the cultural heritage of mid and west Tyrone has been commemorated by the Marshall Trail, a tourist trail featuring many of the places mentioned in his works. Rev William Fobes Marshall (1888-1959) was a poet and Presbyterian Minister from Sixmilecross. His father was principal teacher in Sixmilecross National Scholl. Known as the Bard of Tyrone, Marshall Composed poems suchs "Hi Uncle Sam" and "Me An' Me Da" (Subtitled "Livin' in Drumlister"). A plaque commemorating the life and work of WF Marshall is located at Church Road, Sixmilecross and the Bard of Tyrone is buried at Tullyneil Presbyterian Church.

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Sixmilecross)

References

• Omagh District Council