Fintona
Encyclopedia
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 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 the second largest settlement in the Omagh District Council
Omagh District Council
Omagh District Council is a local council in County Tyrone in Northern Ireland. Its headquarters is in the town of Omagh, which is the traditional county town of Tyrone. The council area is about , making it the second largest local council area in Northern Ireland with a population of just over...
area, after 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...
itself. Its 2010 population was estimated to be 1,410.
History
This area has had known human dwelling for about 4,000 years and there are many burial places, standing stoneStanding stone
Standing stones, orthostats, liths, or more commonly megaliths are solitary stones set vertically in the ground and come in many different varieties....
s, stone circle
Stone circle
A stone circle is a monument of standing stones arranged in a circle. Such monuments have been constructed across the world throughout history for many different reasons....
s and graves in the area around Fintona. The Uí Néill
O'Neill dynasty
The O'Neill dynasty is a group of families that have held prominent positions and titles throughout European history. The O'Neills take their name from Niall Glúndub, an early 10th century High King of Ireland from the Cenél nEógain...
built a fortress here in the fifteenth century, but in 1668 the area passed into the ownership of the Eccles family.
Transport
Fintona is linked to Omagh by the B122 road. This connects to the A5 Omagh to Ballygawley road 2 miles (3 km) outside Omagh. Recently there has been controversy over the state of a half-mile stretch of this road, known as the "green spot", about 3 miles from Omagh.Fintona railway station opened on 5 June 1853 and Fintona Junction railway station opened on 1 May 1856. Both stations were shut on 1 October 1957.
Horse tram
One of the best known symbols of Fintona is the horse-drawn tramTram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
(or "van" to the locals) that took passengers from Fintona railway station to Fintona Junction station one mile away. The name of the horse was always "Dick". First class and second class passengers travelled inside while third class travellers sat exposed to the elements on the top. The tram made its last trip on 30 September 1957 when the Omagh to Enniskillen line closed, and with it, Fintona's rail links to the rest of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. When retired, it was the second last existing example of a horse-drawn tram in public service in the British Isles, the only remaining one now being on Douglas promenade, Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
. The "van" now lies at the Ulster Transport Museum.
When entering the village, the greeting signs include a silhouette
Silhouette
A silhouette is the image of a person, an object or scene consisting of the outline and a basically featureless interior, with the silhouetted object usually being black. Although the art form has been popular since the mid-18th century, the term “silhouette” was seldom used until the early decades...
of the horsetram with "Dick" pulling the tram along with the driver and conductor
Conductor (transportation)
A conductor is a member of a railway train's crew that is responsible for operational and safety duties that do not involve the actual operation of the train. The title of conductor is most associated with railway operations in North America, but the role of conductor is common to railways...
on board. In recent years this image has been used as a symbol or crest of the village for identity.
Both the Fintona branch (with its horse tram) and the main line through Fintona Junction were part of the Great Northern Railway (Ireland)
Great Northern Railway (Ireland)
The Great Northern Railway was an Irish gauge railway company in Ireland.The Great Northern was formed in 1876 by a merger of the Irish North Western Railway , Northern Railway of Ireland, and Ulster Railway. The Ulster Railway was the GNRI's oldest constituent, having opened between Belfast and...
.
Geography
Fintona lies about halfway between two of Ulster's notable natural landmarks, the SperrinsSperrins
The Sperrins or Sperrin Mountains are a range of mountains in Northern Ireland and one of the largest upland areas in Ireland. The range stretches the counties of Tyrone and Londonderry from south of Strabane eastwards to Maghera and north towards Limavady...
to the north and Lough Erne
Lough Erne
Lough Erne, sometimes Loch Erne , is the name of two connected lakes in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. The lakes are widened sections of the River Erne. The river begins by flowing north, and then curves west into the Atlantic. The southern lake is further up the river and so is named Upper...
to the south. Omagh, the county town of Tyrone, lies 8 miles (13 km) north. Enniskillen is 19 miles (30 km) south-west, Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
66 miles (106 km) east and Dublin 108 miles (173 km) south-east.
The village itself lies across several gentle hills, including the middle of the village itself at Main Street. The street rises to the hill's summit at its centre with both ends at the foot. There are small pockets of flat ground, mostly in the Ecclesville Demesne. Halfway between Fintona and Fivemiletown
Fivemiletown
Fivemiletown is a village and townland in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is 16 miles east of Enniskillen and 26 miles west-south-west of Dungannon, on the A4 Enniskillen-to-Dungannon road. Its population as of 2009 is estimated to be 1,128. The village is most famous for its creamery, which...
(nine miles south-east) the land rises where Murley Mountain lies. This mountain marks the western edge of the Clogher Valley, and rises to a peak of 312 metres (1024 ft) above sea level. On the summit is the Lendrums Bridge wind farm
Wind farm
A wind farm is a group of wind turbines in the same location used to produce electric power. A large wind farm may consist of several hundred individual wind turbines, and cover an extended area of hundreds of square miles, but the land between the turbines may be used for agricultural or other...
, one of the largest in Ireland, with 20 turbines. Another 10 are planned for neighbouring Hunter's Hill. Murley Mountain's location is lonely and exposed, especially to prevailing south-westerly winds. This makes it a prime site for wind-generated power.
Farming plays a key role in the economy of Fintona. Much of the farming is cattle
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
based involved meat and milk production, with some sheep rearing, particularly on higher ground. There are also some pig farms in the area. The land and climate does not lend itself to arable
Agronomy
Agronomy is the science and technology of producing and using plants for food, fuel, feed, fiber, and reclamation. Agronomy encompasses work in the areas of plant genetics, plant physiology, meteorology, and soil science. Agronomy is the application of a combination of sciences like biology,...
farming, but some maize
Maize
Maize known in many English-speaking countries as corn or mielie/mealie, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain seeds called kernels. Though technically a grain, maize kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable...
is grown. This does not ripen and is not meant for human consumption, but is used to boost the protein
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
of cattle feed. On higher ground near the summit of Murley Mountain, there are also peat bogs.
A small river named the "Quiggery Water" flows through Fintona, with bridges crossing it at Kiln Street and Mill Street. This river then joins with the Ballynahatty Water to form the Drumragh River, which in turn joins the Camowen River at Omagh to form the River Strule.
Sport and leisure
- There are several sports clubs in Fintona, which include Fintona TennisTennisTennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
Club, Fintona CyclingCyclingCycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...
Club and Fintona BadmintonBadmintonBadminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players or two opposing pairs , who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their...
Club. There are also two indoor bowls clubs. The Fintona GolfGolfGolf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
Club, beside Ecclesville Demesne, is seen by many as one of the finest nine hole golf courses in Ireland. - Partly thanks to the number of public houses in Fintona (no less than 10), dartsDartsDarts is a form of throwing game where darts are thrown at a circular target fixed to a wall. Though various boards and games have been used in the past, the term "darts" usually now refers to a standardised game involving a specific board design and set of rules...
, poolEight ballEight-ball is a pool game popular in much of the world, and the subject of international professional and amateur competition...
and snookerSnookerSnooker is a cue sport that is played on a green baize-covered table with pockets in each of the four corners and in the middle of each of the long side cushions. A regular table is . It is played using a cue and snooker balls: one white , 15 worth one point each, and six balls of different :...
also prove popular. - The Fintona Swifts FootballFootball (soccer)Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
Club field two teams in the Fermanagh & Western Junior Football league. Home games are not played in Fintona, instead they are played at Cranny Bridge in OmaghOmaghOmagh 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...
. As of March 2009 accommodation is being prepared to bring the team "home" with the development of a football pitch in Ecclesville Park by Omagh District Council. - Fintona PearsesFintona PearsesFintona Pearses is a Gaelic Athletic Association club. The club is based in Fintona, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, and is named after the Irish poet and revolutionary, Patrick Pearse....
Gaelic Athletic AssociationGaelic Athletic AssociationThe Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
Club provide for Gaelic footballGaelic footballGaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
teams in the village, and play their home games at St. Lawrence's Park just outside Fintona on the Tattymoyle Road. It is the oldest sports club in Fintona and has in the past supplied the Tyrone county teamTyrone GAAThe Tyrone County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Tyrone GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Tyrone. The county board is also responsible for the Tyrone inter-county teams....
with players. A Ladies Gaelic football team of the same name and Setanta GAA Club, which fields hurlingHurlingHurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
teams at youth level, also play their home games at St Lawrence's Park. - The Ecclesville Centre, on the Ecclesville Demesne, is one of the most unusual in the UK and Ireland in that it is a combined equestrianEquestrianismEquestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
and communityCommunityThe term community has two distinct meanings:*a group of interacting people, possibly living in close proximity, and often refers to a group that shares some common values, and is attributed with social cohesion within a shared geographical location, generally in social units larger than a household...
/leisureLeisureLeisure, or free time, is time spent away from business, work, and domestic chores. It is also the periods of time before or after necessary activities such as eating, sleeping and, where it is compulsory, education....
complex. Opened in 1995, the facility has proven popular not only among equestrians, but also for other sports activities, in particular indoor footballIndoor soccerIndoor soccer or arena soccer, or six-a-side football in the United Kingdom, is a game derived from association football adapted for play in an indoor arena such as a turf-covered hockey arena or skating rink. The most important difference in play is that the indoor field is surrounded by a wall...
, bowls and badminton. The equestrian part of the centre includes stables, an indoor arena and outdoor arena with the open park land and forestForestA forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...
of the Ecclesville Demesne also available. The leisure end of the centre includes a sports hall, a minor hall, changing roomsChangeroomA changing room, locker room, dressing room or changeroom is a room or area designated for changing one's clothes...
and a fitness suite with tennis courts and an all-weather basketballBasketballBasketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
and football area. The centre also hosts the Fintona Cross-Community Youth ClubYouth clubA youth club or youth social club is a place where young people can meet and enjoy activities such as football, soccer, basketball, table tennis, or video games, and other religious, sports activities are frequently sponsored by a community center....
and a computerComputerA computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
suite.
Parks
The main public park in Fintona is on the Ecclesville Demesne, and is known as Ecclesville Park. The park itself has a play-area for children and an all-weather football, basketball and tennis courts used alongside the Ecclesville Centre, walkingWalking
Walking is one of the main gaits of locomotion among legged animals, and is typically slower than running and other gaits. Walking is defined by an 'inverted pendulum' gait in which the body vaults over the stiff limb or limbs with each step...
routes, a pond
Pond
A pond is a body of standing water, either natural or man-made, that is usually smaller than a lake. A wide variety of man-made bodies of water are classified as ponds, including water gardens, water features and koi ponds; all designed for aesthetic ornamentation as landscape or architectural...
and a forest.
Other children’s play-areas are at Mill Street and Ashfield Gardens.
Education
Fintona has two primary schools; Denamona County Primary School and St Lawrence's Primary School. St Patrick's Primary School lies three miles (5 km) east of Fintona in the townland of Garvallagh but closed 31 August 2009 due to low enrolment. Another Primary school, St Joseph's in the townland of Lisconrea, was closed in 2003 due to low enrolment.There are no post-primary schools in Fintona, children continue their education at schools usually either in 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...
, Dromore
Dromore, County Tyrone
Dromore is a village in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is situated nine miles south west of Omagh on the A32 road and sixteen miles from Enniskillen. The town had a population of 1,101 in the 2001 Census. Agriculture and the building trades are the primary sources of employment in the town...
or Fivemiletown
Fivemiletown
Fivemiletown is a village and townland in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is 16 miles east of Enniskillen and 26 miles west-south-west of Dungannon, on the A4 Enniskillen-to-Dungannon road. Its population as of 2009 is estimated to be 1,128. The village is most famous for its creamery, which...
, while a few have also attended schools in Ballygawley and Enniskillen
Enniskillen
Enniskillen is a town in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It is located almost exactly in the centre of the county between the Upper and Lower sections of Lough Erne. It had a population of 13,599 in the 2001 Census...
.
Omagh College also provided outreach courses at the Ecclesville Centre.
Media and communications
As part of Omagh District, the media in Fintona very much mimics that of its big neighbour, with newspapers based in Omagh covering events in Fintona. This includes the Tyrone ConstitutionTyrone Constitution
The Tyrone Constitution is a newspaper based in Omagh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is published by the Alpha Newspaper Group. It describes itself as "The traditional newspaper for Omagh and district since 1844"....
, the Tyrone Herald and the Ulster Herald
Ulster Herald
The Ulster Herald is a weekly newspaper based in Omagh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, known locally as The Herald.It is published by the North West of Ireland Printing & Publishing Co. Ltd...
.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s a monthly local news magazine, the Village Voice, was published by the now defunct Fintona Development Association. The magazine covered news, features and activities in Fintona, Seskinore
Seskinore
Seskinore or Seskanore is a small village and townland in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is northeast of Fintona and southeast of Omagh...
and Eskra
Eskra
Eskra or Eskragh is a small village and townland in southwest County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is on the Omagh to Clogher road, about 10 miles from Omagh and about 4 miles from Clogher.-Buildings:...
.
A Post Office
Post Office Ltd.
Post Office Ltd is a retail post office company in the United Kingdom that provides a wide range of products including postage stamps and banking to the public through its nationwide network of post office branches.-Structure:Post Office Ltd...
lies in the Main Street with daily collections (inc. Saturdays & Sundays). The local postcode starts with BT78. A second postbox is at the Supervalu supermarket on Tattymoyle Road.
A BT Telephone exchange lies just outside the village on the Castletown Road, serving the village and the neighbouring hamlets of Seskinore and Eskra. The STD code is 028 in common with the rest of Northern Ireland, with all local numbers being in the format 8284xxxx. The exchange was enabled for ADSL broadband in September 2004. BT have set a date of the first quarter of 2010 for the exchange to be upgraded for the 21st Century Network.
Terrestrial Television
Terrestrial television
Terrestrial television is a mode of television broadcasting which does not involve satellite transmission or cables — typically using radio waves through transmitting and receiving antennas or television antenna aerials...
(both analogue & digital), FM
Frequency modulation
In telecommunications and signal processing, frequency modulation conveys information over a carrier wave by varying its instantaneous frequency. This contrasts with amplitude modulation, in which the amplitude of the carrier is varied while its frequency remains constant...
radio & DAB
Digital audio broadcasting
Digital Audio Broadcasting is a digital radio technology for broadcasting radio stations, used in several countries, particularly in Europe. As of 2006, approximately 1,000 stations worldwide broadcast in the DAB format....
services are received from the Brougher Mountain transmitter site. Satellite television is popular, nearly all with capable receivers subscribe to Sky Digital
Sky Digital (UK & Ireland)
Sky is the brand name for British Sky Broadcasting's digital satellite television and radio service, transmitted from SES Astra satellites located at 28.2° east and Eutelsat's Eurobird 1 satellite at 28.5°E. The service was originally launched as Sky Digital, distinguishing it from the original...
. There are no cable
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
operators in the village.
Government
Fintona lies in the West TyroneWest Tyrone
West Tyrone can refer to:*The western part of County Tyrone*West Tyrone *West Tyrone *West Tyrone...
electoral constituency for elections to both the Houses of Parliament and Northern Ireland Assembly
Northern Ireland Assembly
The Northern Ireland Assembly is the devolved legislature of Northern Ireland. It has power to legislate in a wide range of areas that are not explicitly reserved to the Parliament of the United Kingdom, and to appoint the Northern Ireland Executive...
. For local government elections (to elect councillors to Omagh District Council
Omagh District Council
Omagh District Council is a local council in County Tyrone in Northern Ireland. Its headquarters is in the town of Omagh, which is the traditional county town of Tyrone. The council area is about , making it the second largest local council area in Northern Ireland with a population of just over...
), Fintona lies within the West Tyrone District Electoral Area along with Dromore
Dromore, County Tyrone
Dromore is a village in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is situated nine miles south west of Omagh on the A32 road and sixteen miles from Enniskillen. The town had a population of 1,101 in the 2001 Census. Agriculture and the building trades are the primary sources of employment in the town...
, Drumquin
Drumquin
Drumquin is a small village and townland in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It lies between Omagh and Castlederg, on the banks of the Drumquin River...
, Trillick
Trillick
Trillick is a small village in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 303 people in the 2001 Census. Trillick lies within the civil parish of Cleenish and the barony of Clanawley.-History before the 18th century:...
, Seskinore and Newtownsaville.
Churches
Fintona has several church buildings, including:- Barr Parish Church (Church of IrelandChurch of IrelandThe 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...
) parishes/donacavey - Donacavey Parish Church (Church of IrelandChurch of IrelandThe 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...
) parishes/donacavey - Fintona Gospel Hall
- Fintona Independent Methodist Church http://www.fintonaimc.org.uk
- Fintona Methodist Church http://www.irishmethodist.org/where/northwest.htm#fintona
- Fintona Presbyterian Church
- St. Lawrence's Church (Roman Catholic) http://www.fintonaparish.com
People
- John of FintonaJohn of FintonaJohn of Fintona, fl. late 13th century.Called "subtillissimus canonum doctor/a most subtle teacher of canon law" by Tommaso Diplovataccio, John was the compiler of a fine commentry on decretals....
, fl.FloruitFloruit , abbreviated fl. , is a Latin verb meaning "flourished", denoting the period of time during which something was active...
late thirteenth century. - Gerry ArmstrongGerry Armstrong (footballer)Gerard "Gerry" Joseph Armstrong is a former Northern Ireland international footballer who played for Tottenham Hotspur....
, the Northern IrishNorthern Ireland national football teamThe Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
footballer, who scored three goals in the 1982 World Cup1982 FIFA World CupThe 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...
grew up in Fintona. - Kieran Corrigan (film producer) producer of films including The General and Evelyn, grew up and went to school in Fintona.
- Country music singer Derrick Mehaffey, a former "Male vocalist of the Year" at the European CMA awards, lives just outside Fintona; he once owned a radio and television sales and repair shop in the village.
2001 Census
Fintona is classified as a village by the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) (i.e., with population between 1,000 and 2,250 people). On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 1,359 people living in Fintona. Of these:- 24.9% were aged under 16 and 17.4% were aged 60 and over
- 48.3% of the population were male and 51.7% were female
- 72.3% were from a CatholicCatholicThe word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
background and 27.1% were from a ProtestantProtestantismProtestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
background - 5.9% of people aged 16–74 were unemployed.
For more details see: NI Neighbourhood Information Service