Coalisland: Difference between revisions
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==History== |
==History== |
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As its name implies, Coalisland is a unique ‘island’ of the nineteenth century industrial revolution in Ireland. Its prosperity was based on canals, pottery, coal, textiles, spade making, brickworks and other manufacturing. |
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The Cornmill Heritage Centre on Lineside, in the former Stewart's Provender Mill, gives the history of Coalisland's industrial past. Situated at the head of the canal, it was built in 1907 by Robert Stewart and Son Ltd., as a corn mill to process grain. The town's electricity was also generated there between 1918 and 1935. |
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After operating at the town’s heart for over seventy years, the mill closed in 1978. It lay empty and became increasingly derelict. As the other traditional industries of Coalisland declined, the town itself began to decay. In 1981, the Coalisland and District Development Association was formed which heralded a turning point. One of its projects, the mill’s renovation, was completed in 1990. |
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The centre’s major feature is the Heritage Floor which houses a range of interpretative techniques offering an insight into some four centuries of industrial change in the Coalisland area, and giving an overview of the town’s many and varied industries. |
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During the first week of July each year the Coalisland International Music Festival is centred around the mill. Hundreds of musicians, dancers and singers from all over Europe join with musicians from throughout Ireland to bring an array of multicultural entertainment to the area.<ref>http://www.princes-regeneration.org/bestpractice/stewmill.htm</ref> |
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On 24 August 1968, the [[Campaign for Social Justice]] (CSJ), the [[Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association]] (NICRA), and other groups, held the first 'civil rights march' in Northern Ireland from Coalisland to [[Dungannon]]. The rally was officially banned, but took place and passed off without incident. The publicity surrounding the march encouraged other protesting groups to form branches of the NICRA.<ref name="CA">{{cite web | title=A Chronology of the Conflict - 1968 | work=Conflict Archive on the Internet (CAIN)| url=http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/othelem/chron/ch68.htm | accessdate=11 July 2009}}</ref> |
On 24 August 1968, the [[Campaign for Social Justice]] (CSJ), the [[Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association]] (NICRA), and other groups, held the first 'civil rights march' in Northern Ireland from Coalisland to [[Dungannon]]. The rally was officially banned, but took place and passed off without incident. The publicity surrounding the march encouraged other protesting groups to form branches of the NICRA.<ref name="CA">{{cite web | title=A Chronology of the Conflict - 1968 | work=Conflict Archive on the Internet (CAIN)| url=http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/othelem/chron/ch68.htm | accessdate=11 July 2009}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 11:32, 30 August 2009
Coalisland
| |
|---|---|
| File:Coalisland.png View from the north of the town | |
| Population | 5,917 (2001 Census) |
| Irish grid reference | H8366 |
| District | |
| County | |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | DUNGANNON |
| Postcode district | BT71 |
| Dialling code | 028 |
| Police | Northern Ireland |
| Fire | Northern Ireland |
| Ambulance | Northern Ireland |
| UK Parliament | |
| NI Assembly | |
Coalisland (Irish: Oileán an Ghuail) is a small town in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, with a population of 5,917 people (in the 2001 Census). As its name suggests, it was formerly a centre for coal mining.
History
As its name implies, Coalisland is a unique ‘island’ of the nineteenth century industrial revolution in Ireland. Its prosperity was based on canals, pottery, coal, textiles, spade making, brickworks and other manufacturing.
The Cornmill Heritage Centre on Lineside, in the former Stewart's Provender Mill, gives the history of Coalisland's industrial past. Situated at the head of the canal, it was built in 1907 by Robert Stewart and Son Ltd., as a corn mill to process grain. The town's electricity was also generated there between 1918 and 1935.
After operating at the town’s heart for over seventy years, the mill closed in 1978. It lay empty and became increasingly derelict. As the other traditional industries of Coalisland declined, the town itself began to decay. In 1981, the Coalisland and District Development Association was formed which heralded a turning point. One of its projects, the mill’s renovation, was completed in 1990.
The centre’s major feature is the Heritage Floor which houses a range of interpretative techniques offering an insight into some four centuries of industrial change in the Coalisland area, and giving an overview of the town’s many and varied industries.
During the first week of July each year the Coalisland International Music Festival is centred around the mill. Hundreds of musicians, dancers and singers from all over Europe join with musicians from throughout Ireland to bring an array of multicultural entertainment to the area.[1]
On 24 August 1968, the Campaign for Social Justice (CSJ), the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA), and other groups, held the first 'civil rights march' in Northern Ireland from Coalisland to Dungannon. The rally was officially banned, but took place and passed off without incident. The publicity surrounding the march encouraged other protesting groups to form branches of the NICRA.[2]
The Troubles
For more information see The Troubles in Coalisland, which includes a list of incidents in Coalisland during the Troubles resulting in two or more fatalities.
Transport
Canal
The town was served by a canal (the Coalisland Canal or Tyrone Navigation), although this is now derelict. A campaign for its restoration is underway. A separate navigation Dukart's Canal ran from the town to nearby coalpits.
Rail
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 is no remains of the railway other than the bridge on the Derry Road and an old goods shed and grown over platforms.[3]
Education
Sport
- Coalisland Na Fianna is the local Gaelic Athletic Association club. Its website is coalisland fianna
2001 Census Information
Coalisland is classified by the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) as a Small Town (ie with population between 4,500 and 10,000 people). On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 5,917 people living in Coalisland. Of these:
- 29.6% were aged under 16 years and 12.4% were aged 60 and over
- 48.2% of the population were male and 51.8% were female
- 95.8% were from a Catholic background and 3.8% were from a Protestant background
- 4.6% of people aged 16–74 were unemployed.
For more details see: NI Neighbourhood Information Service
People
- Coalisland was the birthplace of the 1985 Snooker World Champion Dennis Taylor.
- Comedian Peter Kay's mother comes from Coalisland.
- Tommy Corr represented Ireland in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics as a middle weight boxer and won a bronze medal.
- Northern Ireland international Sean Webb also is from Coalisland(currently on trial at Mansfield Town).
People
See also
References
- ^ http://www.princes-regeneration.org/bestpractice/stewmill.htm
- ^ "A Chronology of the Conflict - 1968". Conflict Archive on the Internet (CAIN). Retrieved 11 July 2009.
- ^ "Coalisland station" (PDF). Railscot - Irish Railways. Retrieved 2007-09-17.