Restoration work has started on the Strabane War Memorial as part of a heritage programme funded by the Special EU Programmes Body through the PEACE Plus Programme.

The memorial, a cenotaph built in the 1960s and dedicated in 1969, is located on the Derry Road. It commemorates those who died in the First and Second World Wars.

Irish Stone, a specialist conservation contractor, is carrying out the work, with Consarc Conservation Architects providing conservation architecture services.

The project involves repairs to the memorial wall, including specialist cleaning, repointing of coping stones, crack stitch repairs, stone carving and gold gilding. Adjacent walls will be re-rendered and new paving and railings installed.

The scheme also includes removal of existing steps and installation of new interpretation boards and planters to improve access and the setting.

The Strabane work is part of a wider programme covering memorials in Derry City, Castlederg and Sion Mills. That scheme includes stone conservation, maintenance, landscaping and accessibility enhancements.

A cross-community outreach programme is being delivered by RAPID, North West Cultural Partnership and Creggan Enterprises. It will engage schools, community groups and organisations in learning about the memorials and discussing remembrance, peace and reconciliation.

Karen Phillips, Director of Environment and Regeneration at Derry City and Strabane District Council, said the memorial is an important landmark and place of remembrance. She said the investment would ensure it is conserved and enhanced for future generations while improving accessibility and the site setting.

Phillips added that the restoration is about more than preserving historic structures, and the outreach activities would create opportunities for people from different backgrounds to come together and learn about shared history.

The project supports the council's District Heritage Plan and is expected to be completed by November 2026.