Coalisland

Coalisland (Oileán a'Ghuail in Irish) 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

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.

Education

• Gaelscoil Ui Neill
• Primate Dixon Primary School
• St. John's Primary School
• St Joseph's High School

Sport

• Coalisland Na Fianna is the local Gaelic Athletic Association club.

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 former Snooker World Champion Dennis Taylor.
• Comedian Peter Kay's mother comes from Coalisland.

References

• NI Conflict Archive on the Internet

Home of Tommy Corr who represented Ireland in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics as a middle weight boxer.

See also

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