Heritage

Poetry & Song

During the last great age of Irish Literature in the 18th Century, the Ring of Gullion was famed for it's strong association with 'fili agus filíocht' (poets and poetry), with all the major poets coming from this area. Their remains can be found in Creggan Church and graveyard in Slieve Gullion, which is known as the poet's graveyard. There are three waymarked trails, for walking or cycling, around Mullaghbane, Forkhill and Creggan, collectively titled The Poet's Trail, along which you can visit locations associated with these bards and find out more about them.

"Ag Úirchill and Chreagàin a chadail mé aréir faoi bhrón

At the fresh Churchyard of Creggan I slept last night in sorrow

Is le héirí na maiden tháinig ainnir fá mo dhéin le póig;

And at the rise of morning the maiden came to me with a kiss;

bhí gríos-ghrua ghartha aici ´gus lainnir ina céibh mar ór

she had flame heated cheeks and a gleam in her hair like gold

´s gurb é íocshláinte an domhain bheith ag amharc ar an ríoghain óig.

and it was the healing balm of the world to be looking at the young queen."

from Úirchill and Chreagáin by Art Mac Cumhaigh 1738-1773

Music

Irish music can be traced from its portrayal in high cross sculpture of harps and pipes, dated 800 AD, to present day pub sessions available nightly in South Armagh. The earliest songs were the work of the Gaelic bards and Úirchill and Chreagáin by Art MacCumhaigh is still sung locally. Songs composed locally recorded important events within the community and created historic festivals and fairs mirrored by the Slieve Gullion Singing Festival and Feile Camloch.

Literature

An oral tradition in storytelling, Celtic myths and legends created a rich environment for the Gaelic poets in the 18th and 19th Century and the short stories and prose of Michael J Murphy. South Armagh is regarded as important areas for the collection of folklore by Michael J Murphy and this work most certainly led to the amateur drama revival of post war years and the emergence of local plays and playwrights.