Strabane offers several ways to explore its culture: the self-guided Heritage Trail focuses on its industrial heritage, the Alley Arts and Conference Centre features theatre and art, and Patrick Street Graveyard offers a historical focus.

A walk through industrial history

The Strabane Heritage Trail is a self-guided walking route of about 3.5 miles or 5.5 kilometres. You can start on Railway Street at the Alley Arts and Conference Centre. The route explores the town’s industrial heritage, including Strabane’s important role in the local shirt-making industry. This makes the route a cultural and historical walking activity centred on a specific sector of the town’s economy. If you are interested in the history of work and manufacturing, the trail offers a clear focus for your plans. Its approximate distance is a practical guide to how much time to allow for the walk during your stay.

Art and live performances

The Alley Arts and Conference Centre in Strabane includes a theatre complex, an art gallery, a visitor information centre and a conference centre. Its programme features shows, drama, dance and comedy performances, as well as festivals. This brings together several forms of culture: the art gallery and theatre complex offer different experiences, while a particular performance may take place on a specific date. If a performance or festival is important to your stay, check the relevant event dates before planning around it.

The sculpture “Let The Dance Begin Sculpture” was created by Maurice Harron and is made of stainless steel and bronze. It offers a different focus from the trail’s industrial history: here, attention is on a single work of art, while the trail explores a historical theme across the town on a self-guided walk.

Café and local history

Cafe Horizon serves speciality coffee, homemade traybakes and sweets, as well as all-day meals, including lunch and snacks. You can combine a visit to the Alley Arts and Conference Centre with a meal or coffee break. For a break, you can choose between snacks for a light bite and lunch as a meal.

Patrick Street Graveyard is the oldest burial ground in Strabane. The oldest legible gravestone there commemorates George Home, who died in 1672. To arrange access to the graveyard, you can contact the Strabane Visitor Information Centre on +44 (0) 28 7138 4444.

Planning your stay

Each focus involves different planning considerations: the trail is defined by its approximate walking distance, a particular performance depends on its date, and you can contact the Visitor Information Centre about access to the graveyard.

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Go to the main travel overview: Tyrone.