placenames
Omagh - Ómaigh - The virgin or fertile plain.
Omagh was the capital of Tír Eoghain and was also known as the Seat of the Chiefs. Omagh in the Irish language is an Ómaigh and translates as 'The Virgin or fertile plain'.
The town grew around the point where the rivers Camowen and Drumragh which converge to form the River Strule. Before that however, it is thought a monastery was established on the site of the town about 792 AD, and a Franciscan friary was founded in 1464. A fortress was established there by the O'Neill clan who ruled Ulster until the 17th century.
In 1689, the same year as the Battle of the Boyne, James II arrived at Omagh, on his way to Derry something which gave the supporters of William of Orange, an excuse to burn the town!
There is a strong Irish language community in Omagh today.