Timeline

The story of the Creggan region stretches back thousands of years, woven through ancient monuments, medieval churches, family names, and living traditions. This Timeline offers an overview of significant moments and eras that have shaped the history of the Upper Fews and the wider Creggan Parish.

It is not a complete chronology, but rather a guide to the flow of history — helping visitors understand how this landscape, and the people who called it home, have changed and endured through time.

We invite you to explore these key periods, and consider how the echoes of the past continue to resonate in the present.

Prehistoric Creggan (c. 4000–500 BC)

  • Neolithic and Bronze Age settlers leave their mark through megalithic tombs and standing stones.

  • The Ballykeel Dolmen and nearby stone circles are enduring reminders of ritual, burial, and settlement activity in the region.

  • Ringforts, raths, and ancient enclosures dot the landscape — signs of early agricultural life and social organisation.

Early Christian Period (c. 400–1100 AD)

  • Christianity arrives in Ireland and spreads through local monastic settlements.

  • Creggan Churchyard likely has origins in this period, as a sacred site used for burial and worship.

  • Townland names begin to reflect Christian influence — with references to saints, crosses, and wells.

  • The area lies within the broader influence of the Kingdom of Oriel (Airgíalla).

Medieval Creggan (1100–1600)

  • Anglo-Norman incursions affect southern Ulster, though the region remains largely under Gaelic control.

  • The powerful O’Hanlon clan dominates the Upper Fews area, defending their territory and Gaelic customs.

  • Church of Ireland structures begin to appear, replacing older ecclesiastical buildings.

  • Ongoing conflict between native Irish lords and English forces leads to instability and eventual change in landholding.

Plantation and Resistance (1600–1700)

  • The Plantation of Ulster begins in the early 1600s, introducing English and Scottish settlers across much of the province.

  • The Creggan region experiences land confiscations and settlement pressure, though Gaelic resistance remains strong.

  • Periods of rebellion and suppression, including the 1641 Rebellion, disrupt social and political life.

  • A mix of Catholic and Protestant communities begins to take root.

The 18th Century: Poets and Penal Times

  • The Penal Laws restrict Catholic landownership, education, and worship. Hedge schools and secret masses become common.

  • Creggan becomes a centre of Irish-language poetry and folk tradition.

  • Notable local poets such as Peadar Ó Doirnín and Séamus McMurphy compose verses that survive to this day.

  • Both are buried at Creggan Churchyard, which remains a cultural focal point.

Rebellion and Emigration (1790–1850)

  • The 1798 United Irishmen Rebellion stirs unrest in the region. Some locals are involved or affected by the violence and its aftermath.

  • Rural poverty, high rents, and failed harvests lead to increased hardship.

  • The Great Famine (1845–1850) causes devastation, hunger, and a dramatic rise in emigration, particularly to America, Canada, and Britain.

  • Landholding patterns shift; many small farmers are evicted or forced to sell.

The 19th Century: Change and Continuity

  • Despite hardship, local traditions and community life persist.

  • New churches and schools are built; parish life becomes central to rural identity.

  • Political activism rises through movements like the Land League, seeking fair rent and tenant rights.

  • Local newspapers and memorials begin to document family names, events, and townland histories.

War, Independence, and Division (1900–1930)

  • The region is caught up in the broader political struggles of Ireland.

  • Some local men serve in the British Army during WWI, while others become involved in the IRA and the War of Independence.

  • The creation of Northern Ireland in 1921 leaves much of the Creggan area near the new border, with part of the parish lying in County Louth.

  • Partition introduces new tensions, boundaries, and identity questions.

Mid-20th Century: Memory and Movement

  • Families continue to emigrate, often to Britain, the U.S., or Australia.

  • Agricultural life remains dominant, though mechanisation begins to change the landscape.

  • Oral traditions, Irish-language remnants, and folk customs are passed down through schools and families.

  • The Creggan History Society is founded in 1975 to protect and promote the region’s history.

The Troubles and Community Resilience (1969–1998)

  • The Creggan area, like much of south Armagh, is deeply affected by the Troubles.

  • The community shows great strength and resilience during a period of violence, political tension, and loss.

  • Despite the hardship, cultural and historical interest continues to grow — with renewed efforts to preserve heritage and memory.

A New Century of Preservation (1998–Present)

  • The peace process brings hope and new opportunities for cross-border cooperation.

  • The Society expands its archive, publications, and events, drawing visitors and researchers from Ireland and abroad.

  • Modern descendants of emigrants reconnect with their roots through messages, family trees, and visits.

  • Digital tools and community projects allow for a wider sharing of local history.

  • A new generation of historians, teachers, and residents help carry the torch of memory forward.

The Story Continues

This timeline offers just a glimpse into the long and layered history of the Creggan region. Behind each date are people — families, neighbours, emigrants, and storytellers — whose lives shaped the land and traditions we inherit today.

We welcome contributions to expand or deepen this timeline. If you know of an important local event, anniversary, or turning point worth recording, please get in touch. Together, we continue to build a living record of our past.

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