Sixmilecross

Updated on Jan 16, 2024

Edit

Comment

Population 282 (2001 Census) Country Northern Ireland Post town Omagh Local time Thursday 7:55 AM Province Ulster UK parliament constituency West Tyrone		County County Tyrone Sovereign state United Kingdom Postcode district BT79 District Omagh District Council Dialling code 028

Weather 4°C, Wind N at 18 km/h, 78% Humidity

Sixmilecross is a townland and small village in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Its toponym is said to be derived from a Celtic cross that stood in a field outside the village, in the townland of Aughnaglea and also from its distance of six Irish miles from Omagh. The original Irish name for Sixmilecross is 'Na Corracha Mora', this refers to marshy ground, probably the ground that runs along the Glusha river at the back of the village. Sixmilecross is one of the few villages in County Tyrone that lost all connect with its Irish root name. It is situated in the historic barony of Omagh East and the civil parish of Termonmaguirk. The village has a wide, tree lined main street and a population of 282 in the 2001 Census. Sixmilecross is in the Omagh District Council area about 9 miles (14 kilometres) south-east of Omagh town.

Map of Sixmilecross, Omagh, UK

People

Sixmilecross was the home of the poet W.F. Marshall, whose contribution to the cultural heritage of mid- and west Tyrone has been commemorated by the Marshall Trail, a tourist trail featuring many of the places mentioned in his works.

Willie Anderson (rugby coach) was born here.

Mic Christopher, singer-songwriter, has maternal roots here; his mother, Vaun (née Heaney), comes from Sixmilecross.

History

The great O'Neill dynasty of Tyrone had some connection with the area because the hill above the village was known as Tulach Uí Neill, meaning O'Neill's Hill. It lies above the Presbyterian Church in the village and is still known as Tullyneil. Tullyneil hill is said to be the geographical centre of Ulster.

Sixmilecross is believed to have been established in 1634. St Michael's Church of Ireland has a stained glass window commemorating the Dunlap family, one of whom, John Dunlap printed the United States Declaration of Independence. The Portadown, Dungannon and Omagh Junction Railway opened Sixmilecross railway station in September 1861 and the Ulster Transport Authority closed the station and the PD&O line in February 1965.