| South Armagh |
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‘God’s country’ or ‘Bandit’s country’ depending which side you are on,
South Armagh is nonetheless a rural and republican area. Although
strongly marked by the events and the presence of security forces, it
is a part of the county which deserves not to be left out. |
BESSBROOK was founded as a model town by a 19th-century quaker highly
involved in the linen industry. Even though the Bessbrook Mill army
base is a reminder of the security forces, the town manages to keep its
village-like atmosphere. The lovely thatched cottage of Derrymore House
(call 30838361 for information) is located south of Bessbrook in a
large parkland. The RING OF GULLION is a ring of hills between Newry
and Forkhill, a magical place of Celtic legend as it is on Slieve
Gullion |
that Celtic Warrior Cúchulainn took his name (he killed the dog
–cú– of a smith called Culainn). The ruins of Killevy Churches lie on
the site of a 5th-century nunnery. A drive through Slieve Gullion
Forest Park is a scenic experience which will take you through the
hills and their surroundings. Thí Chulainn (call 30888828 for
information or visit www.tichulainn.ie) in Mullaghbane is a cultural
activities centre for the promotion of Irish language, folklore,
traditional music and storytelling.
The strongly republican town of CROSSMAGLEN is also famous for Gaelic
football, horse breeding and pubs with great traditional music
sessions, such as Murtagh’s Bar on North St or Ma Kearney’s on Newry St. |
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