Overview
Strule Arts Centre went up on the site of Omagh’s Victorian town hall, demolished in 2003, and opened in 2007 as a £10.5m glass-and-steel building on the bank of the River Strule in County Tyrone. It is Omagh’s main venue for theatre, music and exhibitions, and its ground floor doubles as the town’s tourist office, so it is a useful first stop whether or not you are there for a show. Inside are a 384-seat auditorium, a 125-seat lecture theatre, a visual-arts gallery, dance and recording studios, meeting rooms and a café. If you are just passing through, the free gallery and the rooftop museum are worth twenty minutes; otherwise the reason to come is a performance in the main theatre.
Architecture and design
The centre was designed by Kennedy Fitzgerald and Associates. It opened on 8 June 2007 and was officially opened the following January by ministers Edwin Poots and Margaret Ritchie. The glass-filled façade, cantilevered roof and open public spaces were meant to knit the High Street, George Street and riverside precincts together while framing views of the water, and the building won an RIBA Regional Award and an RSUA Design Award in 2008.
What’s on: theatre, music and comedy
The main auditorium runs a rotating calendar of touring productions, locally developed musicals, comedy nights and dance. Recent programming has included West End-calibre shows such as Annie alongside homegrown talent and regional orchestras, with past music line-ups featuring Kimmie Rhodes, Proud Mary and the Ulster Orchestra. Comedy and drama seasons run through the year, often pairing well-known UK and Irish performers with local theatre companies.
Galleries and exhibitions
The gallery shows changing exhibitions, free to view during opening hours. Recent shows have featured regional artists and cultural themes, including Connection by Buncrana-based artist Veronica Buchanan and Colours of Culture, a photographic look at Irish and Highland dance across local landscapes. It also hosts community installations and themed displays.
Workshops, talks and learning
The learning programme runs across ages and abilities, from Pilates and chair dance for beginners to contemporary dance for active seniors. The lecture theatre hosts author readings, historical talks and craft workshops, including sessions on Ulster’s linen heritage and local railway history, and schools and community groups use the venue for performances and outings.
Community and heritage
Upstairs, the Rooftop Museum is developing as the first step towards a museum collection for Omagh, opening with a display on the town’s 1960s and 70s show-band era. The centre is also the starting point for the Omagh Music Heritage Trail, a self-guided walking route past the town’s old dance halls and ballrooms; you can pick up the map and see the Showband Exhibition here before setting off.
Visiting and practical information
The box office and information centre are open through the day, with the building open later on performance evenings. Hours change with the programme, so check the website before you travel. Admission to gallery exhibitions is free, while ticket prices for shows, concerts and workshops vary by event, bookable online or at the box office.
- Accessibility: Two step-free entrances, one from the car park over the footbridge to the south and one via the Omagh Visitor Information Centre. Blue Badge parking is at the High Street entrance and at the rear on Castle Street; baby-changing is in the café.
- Parking: There is no general on-site car park. Use the town centre car parks, including High Street and George Street.
- Getting around: Regular buses stop within a five-minute walk, and taxis are easy to find for short trips across town.
- Contact: 028 8224 7831; Townhall Square, Omagh BT78 1BL.
- Venue hire: Spaces from small meeting rooms to the full auditorium are available for conferences and private functions, with in-house catering.
Nearby attractions
A short walk leads to the town’s regenerated riverside precincts, and the Ulster American Folk Park nearby brings Irish emigration history to life. Further afield in County Tyrone, Baronscourt has grand estate gardens and a historic house, Burnavon Arts Centre in Cookstown offers more theatre and exhibitions, and the Alley Arts & Conference Centre hosts community performances.
Because the ground floor is also Omagh’s tourist office, you can step in for free, browse the gallery and pick up the map for the Omagh Music Heritage Trail, the self-guided show-band route that starts at the door.