The Strabane History Society was founded in December 1989 by a group of local school teachers to further the interest and knowledge of the history of the area. The group widened the circle of interest to include the general public as it was felt that a vast wealth of local expertise and interest in the community.

To date the group has held activities of local and national interest – the story of Dr. Rogan, the ’98 Rebellion in Strabane, The Hiring Fairs of the North West, Emigration from Strabane Workhouse, the Carricklee Races, Studying your Townlands, Architecture of Strabane, Columba and visits to Armagh, local churches, the famous Holly Hill House, Cavanacor House and Donegal historical sites such as Derek Hill’s House, Doe Castle and Dunfanaghy Workhouse. In the year 2000, the Society partnered Ramelton Town Hall Society to help promote the Hiring Fair musical, “When our roads meet again”. The year 2002 was also noteworthy for the major publication “Fair River Valley”, in honour of Mr. Jim Bradley and two years ago the Society published “Strabane through the Millennium”.

The Society also publishes a Journal of articles of local interest every two years. Details of past issues of this Journal, Concordia, can be found in the publications section of this site.

The committee has been very encouraged by the support it has received from those who are interested in local history and by the attendance at the monthly lectures. A programme of events is drawn up yearly. Please watch the local press or check with committee members for up-to-date amendments.

The Society meets on the last Thursday of each month, at selected local venues in the Strabane area; new members are always welcome.