Eskra

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Eskra (from the Irish: Eiscreach meaning "ridges of gravel or sand") is a small village located in the south-west of County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, on the Omagh to Clogher road, about 10 miles from Omagh and about 4 miles from Clogher. It was originally part of Clogher and also contains the hamlet of Newtownsaville.

Eskra is home to Eskra Emmetts Gaelic football club. The Roman Catholic parish church is named St. Patrick's. The Protestant Church of Ireland is named St. Mark's. Drinkers in the village are served by the Bridge Tavern (also known as O'Hagan's) and Marlowes Pub in Newtownsaville (formerly known as McSorley's).

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Sites of interest
4 Townlands

[edit] Geography

Eskra is located in the hilly land overlooking Augher and the Clogher Valley. Its most notable geological feature and historical site is Knockmany Hill.

[edit] Demographics

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

[edit] Sites of interest

On the crown of the wooded hill stands a remarkable megalithic 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.

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.