The arrival at Ballymoyer school of teacher Louis Trodden in 1932 saw a revival in piping. Together with Frank Malone, who became Instructor, they re-organised the band, based on veterans from the original combination, augmented by interested newcomers.

Those who joined were Tommy and Gerry Reynolds, Joe Deane, Hughie Lennon, Eugene Malone, Gus McParland, Shamie Toner, Tommy Carlisle, the three Garvey brothers, Eddie Finnegan, John and Edward Boyle, Tommy Lennon, Des and Seamus McParland.

Previously, Eugene had been unable to play for that team, because there was an abundance of talent. So he joined the Drumheriff side, organised by John and Jimmy Reavey, Pat McManus and Eddie Boyle. They won the South Armagh Junior Championship, reached the final of the County Junior Championship, and won the Divisional League three times.

Meanwhile, the Whitecross Youth Accordion Band was launched, 25 years ago, due to the initiative of Fr Peter Hughes, Seamus Reavey, Brendan Loughran, Tony McParland, Anne McClorey, Alphonsus and Mary Quinn. The Instructors were Joe Deane, Paddy Campbell and Joe Convery.

Their first outing was to greet the Armagh county GAA squad, passing through Whitecross en route from the 1977 All-Ireland Senior Football Final at Croke Park. Next year came the official opening of St Killian�s GAA Park, when the youthful musicians played a colourful and attractive role. They also participated in the St Patrick�s Day Parade in Dublin.

Competing in band contests at venues from Attical to Kilcoo, often being entered in the senior category, as well as entertaining at Benburb and Dromantine Sundays, they contributed immensely to the community, enhancing the self-worth of the young people involved.

Seamus Reavey who, along with Seamus McParland and John McGivern, played a major role in the band�s progress, insisted that 15 new musicians should be recruited each year to maintain numbers.

Sadly, this fine band ceased to exist a few years ago, due mainly to educational pressures on young people, and the change in life-styles. But those, who were fortunate to have belonged to the Whitecross Youth Accordion Band, will have gained important benefits from that experience.

On the Scor na n-Og scene, the St Killian�s teams have won 12 county titles in Irish dancing, under the tutelage of Mrs Eileen Keenan from the Rooney School of Dancing. They reached the Ulster Final with Ursula Duffy, Mary O`Callaghan, Sheila Deighan, Una McDermott, Philomena Quinn, Marie, Geraldine and Josephine Savage.

Others who have brought awards to the Whitecross club include Eileen McParland, Joanne Reavey, Paula McMahon, Martina McClorey, Mary Murphy, Mairead, Roisin and Lorraine Toner.

Indeed, Irish dancing has witnessed a revival, - maybe because of �Riverdance,� � with a Ceili every Saturday night. And many young people attending twice-weekly classes in the local hall. Ceili dancing died out in the late 50�s with the surge of interest in pop groups and showbands, though Set-dancing still had its adherents.

As the late Louis Murphy wrote: �The existence of any tradition, whether of sport, music, dancing, football, hurling, camogie or dramatic expression, especially in a rural area, gives expression to its social life, widens the interests of its members, strengthening their bonds, as well as linking them to other organisations.

�From all these threads is woven the fabric of tradition, that is a living thing. A local tradition that is proud and aware draws the attention of other areas. And so the interest grows in an art or skill, for a worthwhile thing will always have its imitators.

�Those who have been born in a tradition, whether of music, sport, any craft or aspect of farming, will always be eager to interest others. Any district, which is conscious of its traditions, is alive and eager. When we allow a worthwhile tradition to die, something irreplaceable is lost,� stated this eminent local author and historian.

The community at Whitecross are fortunate that two local traditions have survived and are thriving, - St Killian�s GFC, and Irish dancing, - despite decades in the doldrums. Long may they continue to flourish!

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