Coalisland (Irish: Oileán an Ghuail)[1] is a small town in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, with a population of 5,682 in the 2011 Census.[3] Four miles from Lough Neagh, it was formerly a centre for coal mining.
| Coalisland | |
|---|---|
 View from the north of the town | |
  Location within Northern Ireland | |
| Population | 5,682 (2011 Census) |
| • Belfast | 35 miles (56 km) |
| District | |
| County | |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | DUNGANNON |
| Postcode district | BT71 |
| Dialling code | 028 |
| UK Parliament | |
| NI Assembly | |
Coalisland was established around the Coalisland Canal in the 17th century due to the discovery of coal deposits in the region. In the 20th century, the town was known as an IRA stronghold during the Troubles, with 20 people shot in or near Coalisland from 1969 to 2001. The first civil rights march in Northern Ireland took place in Coalisland in 1968, organized by the CSJ and NICRA. The Coalisland Canal, now derelict, is the focus of a restoration campaign. Coalisland railway station operated from 1897 to 1965, but only remnants of the railway exist today. Daily bus services run through the town, and the Craic Theatre and Arts Centre serves as a performing arts venue and youth theatre programme.
History
edit
Origins
editIn the late 17th century, coal deposits were discovered in East Tyrone. While it was possible to exploit these resources, the difficulty was in getting the coal to market in Dublin. In 1744 work began on the Coalisland Canal linking the coalfields to Lough Neagh. The town grew up around the canal workings.[4]
Twentieth century
editOn 24 August 1968, the Campaign for Social Justice (CSJ), the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA), among others, held the first civil rights march in Northern Ireland. The march went from Coalisland to Dungannon.[5]
The Troubles
editThe town has traditionally been viewed as an IRA stronghold throughout the twentieth century, with deep and enduring links to republicanism in the vicinity. From 1969 to 2001, a total of 20 people were shot in or near Coalisland during the Troubles. The British Army killed a total of eight people, seven of whom were Provisional Irish Republican Army members and one a Catholic civilian;[6] the IRA killed five British soldiers, three Royal Ulster Constabulary policemen, one ex-Ulster Defence Regiment soldier, and two Catholic civilians, all in separate incidents. The Ulster Volunteer Force was responsible for the murder of a Catholic civilian in the nearby town of Aughamullan.[7]
Transport
editThe town was served by a canal (the Coalisland Canal or Tyrone Navigation), although this is now derelict. A campaign for its restoration is underway.
Coalisland railway station was opened on 28 July 1897, closed for passenger traffic on 16 January 1956 and for goods traffic on 5 October 1959, finally closing altogether on 1 April 1965. There are no remains of the railway other than the bridge on the Derry Road, an old goods shed, and grown-over platforms.[8]
Daily bus services operated by Ulsterbus go through the town.
Arts and culture
editThe Craic Theatre and Arts Centre is a performing arts venue built on the site of an old weaving factory. Each year it provides opportunities and entertainment for people of the area, through its in-house company Craic Players. It has a youth theatre programme for children and young people aged 4–18. It also offers professional touring companies the opportunity to stage shows, concerts and workshops.[9]
Education
edit- Gaelscoil Uí Néill
- Primate Dixon Primary School
- St John's Primary School
- St Joseph's College
Sport
edit- Coalisland Na Fianna is the local Gaelic Athletic Association club.
Demography
edit19th century population
editThe population of the village increased during the 19th century:[10][11][12][13]
| Year | 1841 | 1851 | 1861 | 1871 | 1881 | 1891 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 451 | 627 | 661 | 598 | 677 | 785 |
| Houses | 103 | 120 | 143 | 135 | 159 | 191 |
Census 2011
editOn Census day (27 March 2011) there were 5,682 people living in Coalisland.[3] Of these:
- 25.5% were aged under 16 years and 10.0% were aged 65 and over
- 49.1% of the population were male and 50.9% were female
- 93.8% were from a Catholic background and 4.7% were from a Protestant or other Christian background
- 7.2% of people aged 16–74 were unemployed.
People
edit- Denis Haughey (born 1944) – politician, founding member of SDLP
- Dennis Taylor (born 1949) – 1985 Snooker World Champion
- Michelle O'Neill (born 1977) – Sinn Féin politician and First Minister of Northern Ireland
- Nathan Rafferty (born 2000) – Professional PDC darts player
- Michael "Mickey" Mansell (born 1973) Professional PDC darts player
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Oileán an Ghuail/Coal Island". Placenames Database of Ireland (logainm.ie). Retrieved 7 October 2022.
- ^ Ulster-Scots guide to Moira Station – Department of the Environment
- ^ a b "Census 2011 Population Statistics for Coalisland Settlement". Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). Retrieved 30 July 2019.
- ^ "The Typographical Dictionary of Ireland". Retrieved 6 December 2018.
- ^ "A Chronology of the Conflict – 1968". Conflict Archive on the Internet (CAIN). Retrieved 11 July 2009.
- ^ "Relatives for Justice".[permanent dead link]
- ^ "CAIN (Conflict Archive on the Internet) – List of Deaths".[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Coalisland station" (PDF). Railscot – Irish Railways. Retrieved 17 September 2007.
- ^ "Craic Theatre & Arts Centre". Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ "Census of Ireland 1851". Enhanced Parliamentary Papers on Ireland. Retrieved 22 March 2013.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Census of Ireland 1851". Enhanced Parliamentary Papers on Ireland. Archived from the original on 19 April 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
- ^ "Census of Ireland 1891". Enhanced Parliamentary Papers on Ireland. Retrieved 22 March 2013.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Census of Ireland 1891". Enhanced Parliamentary Papers on Ireland. Retrieved 22 March 2013.[permanent dead link]
