- Saint Patrick: March 17, c. 385–461: Armagh (near Tyrone) and Dungannon, County Tyrone Ireland’s patron saint, Patrick, is linked to Tyrone through his missionary work, particularly in Armagh, close to Tyrone’s border. Tradition holds he visited Tullaghoge, near Dungannon, baptizing local chieftains. Captured as a slave, he later converted Ireland, using the shamrock to explain the Trinity. His influence in Tyrone is evident in local church dedications.
- Saint Colman Elo of Muckamore: June 7, c. 555–611: Muckamore, County Tyrone (and Antrim) Colman Elo, born in Tyrone, founded the monastery of Muckamore, which spans Tyrone and Antrim. A relative of St. Columba, he studied under St. Fursey and was known for his scholarship and miracles, such as healing ailments. His monastery was a center of learning, and his feast is noted in Irish calendars.
- Saint Lughaidh (Lughaidh, Son of Lughaidh): July 1, c. 6th century (exact dates unknown): Clogher, County Tyrone Lughaidh is an obscure saint listed in the Martyrology of Tallaght, associated with Clogher, possibly as a monk or hermit. Little is known beyond his feast day, but his connection to Tyrone reflects the region’s early monastic tradition.
- Saint Mac Nisse of Connor: September 3, c. 5th century (exact dates unknown): Clogher, County Tyrone (via diocese) Mac Nisse, a disciple of St. Patrick, was the first bishop of Connor but is linked to Tyrone through the Clogher diocese’s early history. Known for converting pagans and performing miracles, he influenced Tyrone’s Christianization through regional ecclesiastical ties.
- Saint Brigid of Kildare: February 1, c. 451–525: Ardstraw, County Tyrone (via veneration) Brigid, one of Ireland’s three chief saints, founded Kildare’s monastery but is venerated in Tyrone, notably in Ardstraw, where churches honour her. Known for her generosity and miracles, like multiplying food, her cult spread widely, influencing Tyrone’s parishes.
- Saint Columba (Colum Cille): June 9, c. 521–597: Desertmartin, County Tyrone (via influence) Columba, born in Donegal, founded Iona and influenced Tyrone through monastic networks. Tradition links him to Desertmartin, where a church may have been dedicated to him. Exiled after a dispute, he missionized in Scotland, leaving a lasting legacy in Tyrone.
- Saint Tighernach of Clones: April 4, c. 5th–6th century (exact dates unknown): Clogher, County Tyrone (via diocese) Tighernach, a disciple of St. Monenna, founded Clones, Monaghan, but was bishop of Clogher, Tyrone. Known for miracles like restoring sight, he was a key figure in the early Clogher diocese, influencing Tyrone’s Christian landscape.
- Saint Cera of Kilkeary: January 5, c. 7th century (exact dates unknown): Kilkeary, County Tipperary (venerated in Tyrone) Cera, a female saint, founded a convent at Kilkeary, Tipperary, but her cult spread to Tyrone through monastic networks. Known for her piety and miracles, she is listed in the Martyrology of Donegal and venerated regionally, possibly in Clogher.
- Saint Fintan of Clonenagh: February 17, c. 526–603: Clogher, County Tyrone (via influence) Fintan founded Clonenagh, Laois, but his influence reached Tyrone through his role as a teacher of St. Comgall. Known for strict asceticism and miracles like multiplying food, his cult was venerated in Tyrone’s monastic communities.
- Saint Eugene of Killegar: August 23, c. 6th century (exact dates unknown): Killegar, County Tyrone Eugene (Eoghan) is an obscure saint linked to Killegar, possibly a monastic site in Tyrone. Little is known beyond his feast in the Martyrology of Tallaght, reflecting local veneration of early Christian figures in the region.
- Saint Conall of Drumconnell: May 22, c. 5th century (exact dates unknown): Drumconnell, County Roscommon (venerated in Tyrone) Conall, brother of St. Attracta, founded a monastery at Drumconnell, Roscommon, but his cult extended to Tyrone through regional devotion, possibly in Ardstraw. His feast is noted in Irish calendars, and he was known for his piety.
- Saint Mac Cairthinn of Clogher: March 24, c. 5th century (exact dates unknown): Clogher, County Tyrone Mac Cairthinn, a disciple of St. Patrick, was the first bishop of Clogher, establishing its diocese. Tradition credits him with miracles and founding a church at Clogher, making him a key figure in Tyrone’s early Christian history.
Saints
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Sacred Places
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Holy Wells
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
County Tyrone:
Ireland’s county Tyrone is a county of rolling landscapes and historic sites, with the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh offering a fascinating look at emigration history through recreated villages. The Sperrin Mountains provide hiking trails with panoramic views, while the Beaghmore Stone Circles add ancient intrigue. Other attractions include the historic town of Dungannon and its castle ruins. Tyrone is Ireland’s seventh largest county by size (3,263 square km) and 11th largest by population (188,383). Population peaked at 312,956 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 127,586 in 1936. In terms of hospitality, Tyrone is Ireland’s 24th most visited tourist county with around 68,000 international visitors per year.
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