Your Place And Mine - Armagh - The Creggan Graveyard

History from Headstones
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As part of a series of special features on how community history of a can be read from gravestones, Marie McStay visits the Creggan graveyard near Crossmaglen.

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Michael McShane, William Roulston & Kevin McMahon inspecing the headstones at Creggan

One person who has been very active in spreading the word about this graveyard is Kevin McMahon of the Creggan Historical Society. Kevin has a passionate interest in this graveyard and in the '70s he and Cardinal O'Fee undertook a labour of love and made copies of every inscription within it.

The Cardinal was an expert in Gaelic poetry and this being the burial place of Art McCooey added a special interest for him. during the project Kevin realised just how diverse and interesting the character were who are now buried here. He says that the history of a Parish is a slice of the history of the land. "If you understand the history of the Parish you'll understand the history of your country."

Mary Cumiskey is the chair of the Creggan Historical Society. Her paternal and maternal ancestors are buried here in Creggan. She feels that this old graveyard has a true sense of peace about it. The old headstones along with the aged Yew trees lends a real sense of the ancient to it. She comments that many of the visitors who come here mention the feeling of peace.

Northern Ireland's history of emigration and the widespread diaspora ensures that this area, like so many others, has connections abroad and right here on the headstones there are clear links to the USA to be found. One example of this is seen on two headstones side by side. One says "Erected by Margaret Lenaghan of New York" and the other "Erected by Rev Peter Lenehan of Beantown USA". Quite clearly this is the result of families parted by emmigration.

There is a curious little stone buiilding which is in fact the Eastwood vault. The Eastwoods were a family who owned much land areound thes parts and were closely associated with the church here.

Going inside the vault reveals some interesting features. It is barrel shaped and even today you can see evidence that during its building it was formed around bent Willow branches.

The other fascinating thing is the small splayed window. One theory put forward to explain this was that this window might have been deliberately positioned to allow the winter solstice sun light to shine into the vault...

The Eastwood Vault

So, some years back the measurements of the vault and the window were sent to the Armagh Planetarium for examination. It turned out that the window was indeed in a position to capture the winter solstice light and this would happen on the 10th and 11th of February. Further calculations revealed that this would have happened in the fifth century. This tends to suggest that this building was in fact a very early Christian Church but William Roulston says that while converting churches into mausoleums wasn't as uncommon practice, there's no conclusive evidence that this was the case here.

Audio Clip 5: Kevin McMahon / Mary Cumsikey / Michael McShane

Inside the church at Creggan there is a stained glass window which is dedicated to Sir Thomas Jackson. The Jacksons came to the area around 1740. Sir Thomas was a great benefactor to the area and was responsible for putting the town clock in Crossmaglen. Before he did there had been an artificial clock there which had hands painted on it... Apparently the thinking had been that the local people wouldn't know the difference! It was known locally as the 'dummy clock'.

The other thing that made Sir Thomas a notable character was that he was the founder of the 'Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank'... yes, it's true.

In summing up the Creggan graveyard, William Roulston says that it is a unique place that will never fail to hold a fascination for locals and visitors alike.

Audio Clip 6: Sir Thomas Jackson, founder of the Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank

Creggan Church & Graveyard - exudes a true asense of peace.

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If you enjoyed this article you may like to read some of the others in this series, exploring community history through headstones... click here

Relevant weblink:

History from Headstones: http://www.historyfromheadstones.com/

Your Responses...

Ranald Alasdair MacDonald of Keppoch - Jan '07

Nothing "flowery" about the story you have related on your web site about the O'Neill tomb. They were the progenitors of the Gael Kings of Irish and Scottish Dalriata and descended from my own earlier ancestors who ruled at Tara. Conn Ceud Cathach was one of them as was his grandson Cormac Mac Art. Interestly, he was a Christain by AD254 long before Patrick set foot on Isle of Destiny!

A beautiful peaceful looking graveyard and one that must be preserved for posterity and retaining family connections throughout the diaspora.

You have my full hearted support as Chief of the Honourable Clan Ranald of Lochaber Mac Mhic Raonuill. Ireland and Scotland are inseparable but ignorance of both Irish and Scottish history abounds even in today's enlightened society with all the technical paraphernalia at their disposal . Love of family is the key to understanding the Gaelic tradition. That is what real clanship is all all about.

Steven Knipp
Much enjoyed your informative site. I'm American journalist based in Washington DC. But, as my grandmother was born and raised in Creggan (just a few meters down the road from the church, in an old slate roofed house which was only knocked down in the late summer of 2002) I've visited the church and the graveyard twice over the years. My grandmother's maiden name was Margaret Hearty, and she was one of about 12 children of which about 10 moved to the USA before 1920. She married a Michael McShane. When visiting the graveyard I noticed that there were lots of McShanes resting there, as well as several Hearty's.

It was also of interest to me to read about the Sir Thomas Jackson and his link to Hong Kong, because I was based there for many years as a foreign correspondent! A small world, as they say!
Cheers,
Steven Knipp

Ciara - Nov '06
A few years ago I visited this graveyard as part of a local school project and have never forgotten the O'neill vault. Since then I have found that some of the stories relating to this place are fascinating. I think this interesting to all ages and I hope that the website is a success!

Annette, Australia - April '06
It was a few years ago in February when I visited Urchill an Chreagain and walked among this ancient history. I still remember the feeling of awe as I looked at the O'Neill tomb and the other reminders of yesterday. This feeling was greatly enhanced when, as we left, I felt this light patter on my head and, looking up, there it was, a kiss of snow farewelling us.

A bit flowery---sure----but that is Ireland and that is the emotion that Ireland invokes.

Eamonn - Jan '06
Years ago I visited the graveyard and saw Art Mc Cooers grave. I hope it is looked after. I never saw the O' Neill stone. Very nice and interesting website, good luck.