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Castlederg

Castlederg
  • Irish: Caisleán na Deirge
Castlederg Town Centre - geograph.org.uk - 371674.jpg
The Diamond, Castlederg
Castlederg is located in Northern Ireland
Castlederg
Castlederg
Castlederg shown within Northern Ireland
Population 2,935 (2008 estimate)
Irish grid reference H262845
• Belfast 85 miles
District
County
Country Northern Ireland
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town CASTLEDERG
Postcode district BT81
Dialling code 028, +44 28
EU Parliament Northern Ireland
UK Parliament
NI Assembly
List of places
UK
Northern Ireland
TyroneCoordinates: 54°42′30″N 7°35′36″W / 54.7083°N 7.5934°W / 54.7083; -7.5934

Castlederg (earlier Caslanadergy, from Irish: Caisleán na Deirge, meaning "castle on the Derg") is a village in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It lies on the River Derg and is near the border with County Donegal. It stands in the townlands of Castlesessagh and Churchtown, in the historic barony of Omagh West and the civil parish of Urney. The village has a ruined castle and two ancient tombs known as the Druid's Altar and Todd's Den. It had an estimated population of 2,935 people in 2008.

The village hosts some of the district's key events each year, including the Derg Vintage Rally, Dergfest musical festival, Derg Soapbox Derby and the traditional Apple Fair which sees the apple growers of County Armagh visit to sell their wares.

Traditionally, Castlederg was a traveller's stop along the ancient pilgrimage route to Station Island on Lough Derg. The town boasts ancient ruins and monastic settlements.

During the Troubles, 25 people were killed in and around Castlederg (including Killeter and Killen) and there were many bombings in the village. The Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) killed 11 members of the Ulster Defence Regiment and Royal Ulster Constabulary, four fellow IRA members whom it accused of being informers, and three Ulster Protestant civilians. Four IRA members were also killed when their bombs exploded prematurely. Ulster loyalist paramilitaries killed three Catholic civilians. For more information, see The Troubles in Castlederg.


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