Cookstown

Cookstown is a market town in County Tyrone that spreads along an unusually wide main street. This street forms the backbone of the settlement and is lined with shops, restaurants, and public buildings showing a mix of older structures and modern additions.

The settlement was founded in 1620 when James Stewart received land from the Archbishop of Armagh and established a marketplace. This creation was part of the broader planned colonization effort in Ulster and still shapes the town's basic structure today.

The town takes its name from the founding family and was designed as a planned market settlement. The wide main street shows how the place was deliberately created to serve as a regional trade hub.

Visitors will find independent shops, regular markets selling local farm produce, and various dining options spread along the main street. The wide street layout makes it easy and pleasant to walk and explore on foot.

The nearby Forthill Cemetery preserves traces of ancient Celtic settlements that reach far back into prehistory. These archaeological finds show that people have lived in this area for thousands of years.

Location: Mid Ulster

Website: https://midulstercouncil.org

GPS coordinates: 54.64700,-6.74500

Latest update: December 6, 2025 21:31