This area has been well served on the local councils, with the late Paddy McKenna and Matt Cunningham having been chairmen of Newry No. 2 rural district council, of which the late Michael McCreesh was a member. Also, Sean McCreesh, Patsy O�Rourke and Pat Toner have served on Newry and Mourne district council, of which the latter was chairman.

The arts and entertainment have produced many fine exponents, including authors and historians, John Campbell and the late Michael J. Murphy, along with the poets, Peadar O Doirnin, Sean Mc Murphy, Art Mac Cooey and Padraig McAlinden, A host of Irish traditional musicians have also thrived over the generations.

Meanwhile, Briege Murphy has recently released her album, �The Elm Wood,� The twelve tracks were all written by herself. This wife and mother of two daughters joined the local branch of Ceoltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, and sang at traditional music sessions for five years. Writing her own songs, a demo was made in Colm Sands� studio at Rostrevor, to which there was an impressive reaction.

A second album, �the Sea and Other Songs� was equally successful, winning the praise of Christy Moore, Frances Black and Niamh Parsons. Briege has also participated in various festivals in Britain, Europe and the USA.

Also, famous impresario Jim Aiken from Jonesboro has been responsible for bringing some of the biggest names in show-business to Ireland, including Slane, the Point Depot and, more recently, Stormont, where Rod Stewart topped the bill.

All this is a far cry from those far-off days when the village of Jonesboro was burned to the ground in the 1798 Rebellion. It was rebuilt by a British Army officer, Colonel Morris Jones, who was allocated this far-off area, because of being disliked by the military authorities. Giving his name to the locality, Col Jones built the two rows of houses, which are still in existence. The famous Squire Jackson later acquired the village and its environs, established a local school and local industries.

And to turn the wheel full circle, the popular Jonesboro market was established in 1974, under the inspiration of Fr Mallon, in order to generate funds for the parish. Its reputation grew, so that bus-loads of bargain-hunters came in search of cheaper petrol clothes and groceries, etc., as well as toys for Christmas.

Meanwhile, Forkhill, from the Irish for �cold wood,� was described in the Parliamentary Gazeteer for 1845: �The West side of the most sublime and far-seeing summit of Slieve Gullion. Around it skirts the most romantic scenery in the whole country.� In fact, the �Ring of Gullion� was formed over 30 million years ago, by a reservoir of molten volcanic rock, later moulded during the Great Ice Age.

In the 19th century, a corn and scotch mill was established at Forkhill, along with a Post Office, several grocery and drapery shops, while a court was held every month. Captain Alexander�s estate was developed, including trout lakes and picnic areas. There was an ancient priory, as well as a local fair in the early 1900�s.

And, of course, Mullabawn has its prestigious Ti Chulainn complex, the setting for various Clan gatherings, including the McGlades, McConvilles and O�Hanlons. Recently a party of 40 German visitors have been among those, who have enjoyed the traditional song and dance, story-telling, drama, folklore and history.

This initiative was launched in 1990 to foster the Irish language, as well as the rich cultural environment of the area, and to share these experiences with visitors. A purpose-built centre was officially opened in 1998, providing a mixture of formal tuition and practical workshops. Art and photographic exhibitions, along with guided historical tours, are also on the menu.

So, a unique mixture of the ancient and modern has been provided in one of the most spectacularly scenic areas of Ireland. Certainly, if the �Boys from the Co Armagh� are seeking an oasis, in which to relax and recharge their batteries, in preparation for the an historic day at Croke Park, they could choose no better place.

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