Ardstraw (from (hill or height of the holm or strath) ) is a small village, townland and civil parish in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, three miles northwest of Newtownstewart. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 222 people (81 houses).

Bishopric

The Diocese of Ardstraw was founded in the 6th century by Saint Eoghan. It is one of the dioceses recognized by the Synod of Ráth Breasail in 1111. Although the 1152 Synod of Kells replaced it in its list of dioceses with that of Maghera, the seat of which was later moved to Derry, bishops of Ardstraw continued to exist until the early 13th century, when the see was finally united to that of Derry. No longer a residential bishopric it is today listed by the Catholic Church as a titular see.

John de Courcy

In 1198, John de Courcy, a Norman knight who had invaded Ulster in 1177, destroyed the church of Ardstraw on his way to Inishowen.

Ardstraw townland

The townland is situated in the historic barony of Strabane Lower and the civil parish of Ardstraw and covers an area of 353 acres. The population of the townland declined during the 19th century:

Sport

Ardstraw F.C. plays association football in the Northern Ireland Intermediate League.

Notable people

Civil parish of Ardstraw

The parish is largely situated in the historic barony of Strabane Lower and partly in Omagh West. The parish contains the following towns and villages:

Townlands

The parish contains the following townlands: