Coalisland was established around the Coalisland Canal in the 17th century due to the discovery of coal deposits in the region. In the 20th century, the town was known as an IRA stronghold during the Troubles, with 20 people shot in or near Coalisland from 1969 to 2001. The first civil rights march in Northern Ireland took place in Coalisland in 1968, organized by the CSJ and NICRA. The Coalisland Canal, now derelict, is the focus of a restoration campaign. Coalisland railway station operated from 1897 to 1965, but only remnants of the railway exist today. Daily bus services run through the town, and the Craic Theatre and Arts Centre serves as a performing arts venue and youth theatre programme.
In the late 17th century, coal deposits were discovered in East Tyrone. While it was possible to exploit these resources, the difficulty was in getting the coal to market in Dublin. In 1744 work began on the Coalisland Canal linking the coalfields to Lough Neagh. The town grew up around the canal workings.[4]
The town has traditionally been viewed as an IRA stronghold throughout the twentieth century, with deep and enduring links to republicanism in the vicinity. From 1969 to 2001, a total of 20 people were shot in or near Coalisland during the Troubles. The British Army killed a total of eight people, seven of whom were Provisional Irish Republican Army members and one a Catholic civilian;[6] the IRA killed five British soldiers, three Royal Ulster Constabulary policemen, one ex-Ulster Defence Regiment soldier, and two Catholic civilians, all in separate incidents. The Ulster Volunteer Force was responsible for the murder of a Catholic civilian in the nearby town of Aughamullan.[7]
The town was served by a canal (the Coalisland Canal or Tyrone Navigation), although this is now derelict. A campaign for its restoration is underway.
Coalisland railway station was opened on 28 July 1897, closed for passenger traffic on 16 January 1956 and for goods traffic on 5 October 1959, finally closing altogether on 1 April 1965. There are no remains of the railway other than the bridge on the Derry Road, an old goods shed, and grown-over platforms.[8]
Daily bus services operated by Ulsterbus go through the town.
The Craic Theatre and Arts Centre is a performing arts venue built on the site of an old weaving factory. Each year it provides opportunities and entertainment for people of the area, through its in-house company Craic Players. It has a youth theatre programme for children and young people aged 4–18. It also offers professional touring companies the opportunity to stage shows, concerts and workshops.[9]
