History Aughnacloy, County Tyrone

much of town built in 18th century acheson moore, local landlord. because backed jacobite cause, planted estate in shape of thistle , planned out town on edge of it. unable rename mooretown , had settle naming main street moore street , , side streets sydney, lettice, , henrietta (now ravella road), after 3 wives.

aughnacloy served important staging post on road derry. however, lacking large-scale industry, started wane in late 19th century.

famous residents

aughnacloy catholic church



aughnacloy presbyterian church



the old railway station

james young malley, son of aughnacloy farmer , merchant, eldest of 3 brothers fly raf bomber command. service raf during second world war extended 127 operations on enemy territory, including more 30 raids on berlin. malley achieved distinction second time private secretary prime minister of northern ireland, terrence o neill. oversaw delicate negotiations preceded meeting between o neill , seán lemass @ stormont in january 1965.

andrew beatty, journalist , editor has served white house correspondent agence france-press since 2015, aughnacloy.

the troubles

on 20 january 1974, cormac mccabe (42), first headmaster of aughnacloy secondary school , captain in ulster defence regiment (udr), shot dead provisional irish republican army (ira). corpse found in field near aughnacloy.

on 6 july 1977, david morrow (37) royal ulster constabulary (ruc) officer, killed ira while sitting in stationary ruc patrol car in aughnacloy.

in 1988, aidan mcanespie, catholic civilian, killed, in contested circumstances, bullet heavy machine-gun held british army soldier @ aughnacloy. in june 2008, police service of northern ireland historical enquiries team published findings on case in report. in fatal shooting soldier claimed hands wet, causing him accidentally fire machine-gun. report called least version of happened.