Eskra or Eskragh is a small village

Village

A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...

 and townland

Townland

A townland or bally is a small geographical division of land used in Ireland. The townland system is of Gaelic origin—most townlands are believed to pre-date the Norman invasion and most have names derived from the Irish language...

 in southwest County Tyrone

County Tyrone

Historically Tyrone stretched as far north as Lough Foyle, and comprised part of modern day County Londonderry east of the River Foyle. The majority of County Londonderry was carved out of Tyrone between 1610-1620 when that land went to the Guilds of London to set up profit making schemes based on...

, Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...

. It is on the Omagh

Omagh

Omagh is the county town of County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is situated where the rivers Drumragh and Camowen meet to form the Strule. The town, which is the largest in the county, had a population of 19,910 at the 2001 Census. Omagh also contains the headquarters of Omagh District Council and...

 to Clogher

Clogher

Clogher is a village in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It lies on the River Blackwater, south of Omagh. The United Kingdom Census of 2001 recorded a population of 309.-History:...

 road, about 10 miles from Omagh and about 4 miles from Clogher.

Buildings

The Roman Catholic parish church is named St Patrick's. The Protestant Church of Ireland

Church of Ireland

The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...

 is named St Mark's. Drinkers in the village are served by the Bridge Tavern (also known as O'Hagan's) and Marlow's Pub - now the Town Bar(formerly known as McSorley's).

Geography

Eskra lies in the hilly land overlooking Augher

Augher

Augher is a small village and townland in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is 18 miles southwest of Dungannon, on the A4 Dungannon to Enniskillen road, halfway between Ballygawley and Clogher. The 2001 Census recorded a population of 399....

 and the Clogher

Clogher

Clogher is a village in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It lies on the River Blackwater, south of Omagh. The United Kingdom Census of 2001 recorded a population of 309.-History:...

 valley. Its most notable geological feature and historical site is Knockmany Hill.

Demography

Until 1869 Eskra was part of Clogher Parish. In 1841, before the Great Famine, the population of the present Eskra Parish was 4,713. In June 1995 there were 815 people in the parish, 70% of whom were Roman Catholic.

Places of interest

• On the crown of the wooded hill stands a remarkable megalith
  Megalith
  A megalith is a large stone that has been used to construct a structure or monument, either alone or together with other stones. Megalithic describes structures made of such large stones, utilizing an interlocking system without the use of mortar or cement.The word 'megalith' comes from the Ancient...
  
  ic 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 Connacht
  Connacht
  Connacht , formerly anglicised as Connaught, is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the west of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for...
  
  .
• Many sites of penal day massrocks are still remembered by the local people. One such hallowed spot is 'The Altar Field' near Cullen's Point in the townland of Cormore.
• Another is in the hallow at the rear of the new church in Lisnarable. The old St. Patrick's Church - sometimes referred to as the 'Lower Mountain Church' was really a barn bought from a local farmer named Traynor and upgraded to serve as a church in the first quarter of the 19th century. The cemetery which developed around it was consecrated on Sunday, 25 October 1840 by Bishop Edward Kernan. On 20 August 1978 the present St. Patrick's Church was dedicated by Bishop Mulligan. The altar stone, the tabernacle, the bell and two fine restored statues were transferred from the old church to highlight the link with the past. In the new church with its pipe organ, Father Eddie Murphy, then Parish Priest, has left a memorable legacy on the parish of Eskra.

Townlands of Eskra parish

(This list is not necessarily complete)

• Altenarvagh
• Beltany
• Cloneylaugh
• Cormore
• Dromore Lower
• Dunbiggan
• Eskra
• Eskermore
• Fernaghandrum
• Kilnaheery
• Knockmany
• Lisnarable
• Lurganglare
• Tamlaght
• Tatnadavnet
• Tulnafoile
• Tullycorker
• Tychanny