The Governor's house in Omagh is now on the market and priced at a modest ยฃ40,000. The house is part of a broader gaol complex, most of which has been demolished. The B1 listed building was built in 1820 by renowned Irish architect John Hargreaves for ยฃ17,000.
This eight-sided building was where the governor of the gaol lived, and he could come out onto the platform and look down on the prisoners from above. The prisoners were kept segregated. Males were on one side, and paupers and females on the other. A report made in 1876 showed 32 male and 16 female prisoners. He also noted: ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ก๐๐ ๐๐ 1876 โ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ฆ ๐ก๐ 100 ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ก โ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ , ๐๐๐๐กโ๐๐ โ๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ค๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ฅ๐ก๐ฆ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ก๐ฆ, ๐ ๐กโ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ค๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ก๐ฆ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ก๐ฆ, ๐๐๐ 2 ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ 5 ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ โ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ค๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ค๐๐๐ก๐ฆ ๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐๐ก๐ฆ ๐ก๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐ค๐๐กโ๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐๐ก.
Executions were commonplace in these times, and many took place here with the bodies buried on site. In later years the hangings took place on Gallows hill. The goal closed in 1902, and the house came into private ownership in 1960. It is one of the few historical buildings left in Omagh and would be a good opportunity for the property to return to public ownership. The potential here is massive to restore this piece of history and turn it into something for all to enjoy. This unique building is one of a kind and should be saved in the right way for future generations.
There is a meeting in Omagh Community House on the 11th of Oct at 7.30 PM to discuss its future. Please join the 'Save Omagh Gaol' group on Facebook for more updates.