Community at the heart of Omagh housing estate 50th anniversary celebrations

THE proverb ‘home is where the heart is’ means that, wherever you are and whoever you are with, your home and family provide the greatest emotional bond.

That's certainly true of the Strathroy housing estate in Omagh. It celebrates its 50th birthday this week and thanks to an energetic band of locals, the area has been celebrating this unique milestone in a variety of ways.

The activities in their wide and varied programme got underway on Saturday when children and adults participated in a Fun and Sports Day in and around the local community centre. Every event ensured all interests and abilities were catered for.

Locals flocked to the 50th anniversary Mass in Chrrist the King Church on Sunday afternoon where the congregation heard about the strength in unity and the importance of community in their area.

The community centre was the venue on Monday evening for the 'Bingo in the Roy' as locals joined in the fun at this popular event.

It was the turn of the musicians to make their mark last night (Tuesday) as locals and visitors joined their combined talents for a Traditional Music Seisún.

The programme of events continues today (Wednesday) as the action moves to the Strathroy playing fields at 7pm for the popular 'It's A Knockout' competition which pits the combined talent of those from the top of the park against those for the bottom to see who will get the bragging rights on this important anniversary. Needless to say all competitions are laced with a huge amount of fun and frolics, so indeed everyone emerges a winner!

This will be followed by a barbecue which promises to be a feast to cater for everyone, especially those who have exhausted themselves at the 'knockout' competition.

Another major community event, and some might argue one of the highlights takes place on Thursday night at 7pm where once again, the pride of the Roy is up for grabs. Old veterans and not so old tog out for a challenge match at the playing fields. They say talent never disappears, at least that's what the older guys will be hoping so it all points to an fun-filled and action packed match that will delight everyone.

There's a photographic exhibition in the community centre at 7pm on Friday night where the organisers have collected a variety of pictures that will capture the half century of Strathroy Park and its residents. The memories and the occasions are all there and no doubt this event will bring back many happy recollections of times and personalities gone by.

The Strathroy Community Association wraps up the week-long series of anniversary events with Strathroy's Golden Gala Ball which will be held in the Silverbirch Hotel starting at 7pm. Here again locals and former residents as well as their many friends and colleagues from Omagh and surrounding towns and villages will be able to come together to formally mark

50 years as a community that has grown strong and proud over the past five decades. It promises to be a wonderful occasion.

One of the local organisers, local Fermanagh and Omagh District Council councillor, Marty McColgan says the anniversary events are all community orientated and a celebration of the many wonderful personalities, talents and genuinely strong bonds developed there over the past 50 years.

"Thousands of families have passed through the Strathroy estate over the last 50 years so we thought it was important to not only mark the occasion but celebrate all the great achievements to come out of here as well.

"About a year ago the committee decided to hold a week-long series of events to mark the occasion. We held a similar celebration for our 40th anniversary and it was very successful so we agreed we should do the same again. The anniversary events will feature something for everyone."

Cllr McColgan added he had been living there since its opening in 1974 and was happy to report that despite the size of the area, the same sense of community prevails today.

"Everyone remembers their days in Strathroy with fondness. It's like a small independent community here. We have around 360 houses, a shop, community centre, church,school and enterprise units. People moved in here from all over the district. no one had ever experienced living in an area with so many houses so it was a new and exciting experience for many of us. Many friendships made back then have lasted through the years too," he added.

Cllr McColgan said the Strathroy area has contributed in many ways to Omagh and has worked with many groups over the 50 years.

"I remember in particular when Covid struck the community pulled together to make sure hot meals were provided to the more vulnerable and older members of the community, that food banks were operated in conjunction with St Vincent de Paul for those that could not get out and about."

He added friendships and the community were the central theme of the 50th celebrations and hoped the spirit that they all enjoyed there would continue for many years to come.