News

Call out to Strabane’s global family to share their stories and support Town of Culture bid

1 October 2026

A new digital postcard celebrating Strabane’s rich cultural heritage, unique cross-border identity and the stories that make it special has been launched as part of the campaign to secure Town of Culture status for Strabane in 2028.

The initiative centres around a specially commissioned postcard illustration by local artist Barry McGowan that will encourage people at home and across the world to share their memories, stories and connections to the town.

Called A Postcard from Strabane, the postcard captures the character and spirit of Strabane, showcasing its distinctive places, cultural heritage and strong sense of community.

Built around the message "One Place, Thousands of Memories", the campaign invites residents, former residents and members of the wider Strabane diaspora to reflect on the people, places and experiences that have shaped their connection to the town.

Through shared stories and personal memories, the campaign aims to inspire civic pride, celebrate Strabane's unique identity, spark nostalgia, and encourage people to share their own special connections to the town. A Postcard from Strabane highlights the many memories that unite generations, demonstrating how one place can hold thousands of different stories.

Rather than being a one-off campaign, a different postcard message and conversation starter will be shared each week across social media, encouraging people to take part and add their voices to the growing collection of stories. The weekly themes will invite people to answer questions such as -What memory would you put on a postcard from Strabane?, What do you miss most about Strabane? and My Strabane in Three Words. The campaign aims to inspire pride, spark memories and encourage people to share their personal connections to the town. Whether it is a favourite place, a childhood memory, a local tradition or simply the people who make it feel like home, the campaign encourages everyone to share their own story.

The campaign also aims to reconnect with people who may have left Strabane but whose links to the town remain strong. Through photographs, memories and personal stories, participants will help create a collective picture of the town and demonstrate the deep sense of pride and belonging that exists across generations and communities.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Grace Uí Niallais, welcomed the initiative and encouraged the public to get involved. She said: “Strabane is a town with a proud history, strong community spirit and a rich cultural heritage. Throughout the years, people from Strabane have travelled across the world, but many still hold a special connection to their hometown. This campaign is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate those connections and to gather the stories and memories that make Strabane such a unique place. Whether you live in Strabane today or thousands of miles away, your story is part of our story. What I particularly love about this campaign is that it will continue to grow over the coming weeks, with different themes and prompts encouraging people to share new memories and experiences. Every contribution will help us build a richer picture of Strabane's identity and demonstrate the passion people have for this remarkable place. Community involvement is at the heart of our Town of Culture bid and every story shared will help showcase the people, places and experiences that make Strabane truly special.”

The postcard features artwork created by local artist, Barry McGowan, whose design reflects many elements that have helped shape Strabane’s identity over the years.

He said: “I am very proud to be commissioned to design this postcard and contribute to such an important campaign for Strabane. My artwork aims to capture the spirit of the town by celebrating its iconic buildings, history, sporting achievements, arts, culture and the people who make it such a vibrant place. Art and culture have a unique way of bringing people together, sparking conversations and helping communities tell their stories. I hope this postcard will inspire people near and far to reconnect with Strabane and share the memories that mean so much to them.”

Deirdre Harte, Programme Manager, who is leading the Town of Culture bid on behalf of Derry City and Strabane District Council said the initiative places local people and their stories at the centre of the final bid, which will be submitted in November.

She said: “A Postcard from Strabane is about much more than a postcard. It is an opportunity for people to tell their stories and celebrate the connections that unite our community, whether they live in Strabane today or on the other side of the world. By introducing a new theme each week, we hope to encourage people to revisit memories, share photographs, reconnect with old friends and become part of the conversation. These stories will play an important role in helping us demonstrate the strength of Strabane’s cultural identity as we prepare our final Town of Culture bid. The stories we gather through this campaign will help us tell Strabane’s story in the most authentic way possible, through the voices of the people who know and love this town.”

People are encouraged to follow the campaign online and take part in the weekly conversations by sharing memories, photographs, stories and messages of support, creating a growing collection of stories celebrating the town’s heritage, character and global connections.

To take part in the campaign, people can comment on the weekly social media posts through via Stabane Town of Culture Bid Facebook and Instagram pages or email their stories and memories to [email protected].

For more information on the campaign and the Strabane Town of Culture bid, visit the Council website or follow the Strabane Town of Culture social media channels.