Tyrone

Tyrone is most often used to refer to County Tyrone, one of the six traditional counties of Northern Ireland. The name derives from the Irish Tír Eoghain, meaning “land of Eoghan” (Owen).

It lies in the west of Northern Ireland in the historic province of Ulster. It is bordered by County Derry to the north and east, by County Fermanagh to the south, and by the Republic of Ireland to the west. The Sperrin Mountains traverse large parts of the county, and the River Blackwater runs through Omagh and other towns. The county town is Omagh; other sizeable towns include Dungannon, Strabane, and Cookstown. Population and economy are centered on agriculture, food processing, and manufacturing.

County Tyrone has a long Gaelic history and was part of the kingdom of Tír Eoghain. It played a role in the Nine Years’ War against English rule and in later plantation-era changes. The county is known for its strong Gaelic games tradition, particularly in the Tyrone GAA inter-county teams, and for a landscape dominated by hills, rivers, and historic sites.

Beyond Northern Ireland, Tyrone is used as a surname and given name. Notable people include the American film actor Tyrone Power. The name also appears in places in the United States, such as Tyrone, Pennsylvania.