South Tyrone (UK Parliament constituency)

South Tyrone was a parliamentary constituency in Northern Ireland that existed from 1950 to 1983. It elected one Member of Parliament (MP) to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, using the first-past-the-post electoral system.

The constituency was created as a result of the House of Commons (Redistribution of Seats) Act 1949, which increased the number of parliamentary seats in Northern Ireland from thirteen to twelve (though the boundaries were drawn in such a way as to effectively represent the same area). South Tyrone was formed from parts of the former Mid Tyrone and Fermanagh and Tyrone constituencies.

Throughout its existence, South Tyrone was considered a marginal seat, often contested between unionist and nationalist parties. The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) held the seat for most of its history, but it was also won by nationalist candidates on several occasions, including those representing the Nationalist Party and later, the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP).

Notable MPs who represented South Tyrone include:

• Henry Mulgrew (Nationalist)
• Commander Charles Irwin (UUP)
• Patrick Gormley (Nationalist)
• John Taylor (UUP, later Lord Kilclooney)

In 1983, the constituency was abolished as part of a wider review of parliamentary constituencies in Northern Ireland. Its territory was largely incorporated into the new constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone. The most prominent legacy of South Tyrone is its historical significance as a key battleground between unionist and nationalist political forces during a turbulent period in Northern Irish history.