The history of Creggan is not just found in archives, monuments, or maps — it lives in the people who have called this place home across the centuries. From farmers and poets to rebels, clergy, teachers, and emigrants, the human story of the Upper Fews and Creggan Parish is one of resilience, resourcefulness, and deep-rooted identity.
This page pays tribute to the lives that have shaped the region’s history — both the notable individuals whose names appear in books, and the many more whose legacy lies in families, fields, and quiet traditions passed down through generations.
Everyday Lives
For every great name in the history books, there are countless others whose stories remain partly hidden — the women who kept homes and traditions alive during hard times; the men who walked the roads to markets, schools, or shipyards; the children who learned their lessons in one-room schools before heading abroad.
These ordinary lives are no less worthy of remembrance. They shaped the rhythms of townland life, preserved language and custom, and contributed to the survival of rural communities through famine, emigration, and political upheaval.
The Creggan History Society values the everyday. Through oral histories, family research, and local memory, we aim to uncover the people behind the census returns and grave markers — the voices behind the records.
Families and Surnames
Certain surnames have deep roots in the Creggan region — O’Hanlon, Murphy, McCreesh, Lennon, Quinn, Finnegan, Boyle, and many more. These names appear across generations in parish registers, headstones, and historical documents.
Many families remained on the same plots of land for centuries; others were displaced, resettled, or scattered through emigration. Some lines can be traced clearly through records; others survive mainly through memory and storytelling.
The Ancestry and Inscriptions pages contain further information on family histories and genealogical records. However, this section aims to explore not just where people came from, but who they were — their beliefs, their struggles, and their contributions to the community.
If you have researched a local family and would like to share a story or short biography, we would be glad to include it.
Notable Figures
The Creggan region has produced many individuals of national and even international importance — poets, prelates, patriots, and scholars. Among them:
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Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich (1923–1990) – Born in Cullyhanna, he became Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland. A respected scholar and fluent Irish speaker, he was also a founder member and great supporter of the Creggan History Society. His legacy continues through the Áras an Chairdinéil Ó Fiaich cultural centre.
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Séamus McMurphy (c.1720–1750) – A poet and outlaw associated with the Jacobite cause. Executed in Armagh, he is remembered in local folklore and song, and buried at Creggan Churchyard.
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Michael J. Murphy (1913–1996) – A folklorist and broadcaster from the nearby area, whose work with the Irish Folklore Commission captured vital aspects of rural life and speech.
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Peadar Ó Doirnín (c.1704–1769) – One of the most prominent poets of the 18th-century Irish literary tradition. He taught and composed in the area, and is also buried in Creggan.
These figures represent only a small fraction of those whose lives have influenced the culture, identity, and story of this place. We continue to uncover new names through research and contributions from Society members.
Emigration and the Diaspora
One of the most powerful themes in the history of the Creggan people is departure. For more than two centuries, waves of emigration have carried local families across the globe — to Britain, North America, Australia, and beyond. Many left out of hardship; others sought opportunity. But the connection to Creggan often remained strong.
The descendants of these emigrants now form part of our extended community. Through messages, research enquiries, and occasional visits, many seek to rediscover their family roots and learn more about the lives their ancestors left behind.
These modern descendants are very much part of the story of Creggan’s people. If you are one of them, we invite you to contribute your story to our Messages or Ancestry pages.
Remembered and Recorded
The Society works continually to ensure that the stories of local people — whether recorded in journals, stone, or memory — are preserved and shared with respect. We believe that everyone’s story matters, and that no life is too small to be remembered.
Some of the ways we honour and record local lives include:
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Publishing biographical essays in our annual Journal
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Recording oral histories with local residents
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Surveying gravestones and family plots
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Hosting commemorative events and plaques
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Collaborating with families to document private collections or memoirs
We are always open to new material, whether a photograph with names, a hand-drawn family tree, or a written recollection of a neighbour, teacher, or tradesperson.
Help Us Tell More Stories
If you know of someone — living or departed — whose story should be told, please consider reaching out. It might be a parent, grandparent, local character, or unsung contributor to community life. We’re interested in voices from all walks of life: men and women, young and old, Protestant and Catholic, native and newcomer.
Together, we can continue to build a fuller and more inclusive picture of the people who have shaped Creggan’s past — and who continue to shape its present.