This is the tenth issue of Creggan, journal of the Creggan Local History Society. It is also my tenth year as editor and the fifth journal I have edited along with two other publications.

In this issue we welcome three new contributors; Seamus Murphy starts our journal off with the `New Church At Glassdrummond, Co. Armagh.' Seamus is from the school of great local historians in Creggan parish (The Murphy family Barney, Jem, and Pat).

His vision in recognising the historical value of letter correspondence between the Parish Priest of Crossmaglen and a Dublin Architect during the 1920s and early 1930s has produced a fine account of the building of the beautiful church of St. Brigid's in the townland of Glassdrummond.

Dennis M. Hanratty who lives and works in Washington D.C. has meticulously researched the journeys of three priests (The Lenaghan Fathers) born in the parish of Upper Creggan, Crossmaglen, and who served the Catholic Church in America for a hundred years. Dennis Hanratty's ancestors were from Rathkeeland / Loughross townlands in the parish of Upper Creggan.

Kieran McConville a Librarian with the Southern Education and Library Board N.Ireland, and a Cullyhanma man has given us an insight into the courageous and heroic adventures of a fellow Cullyhanna man Paddy Lennon, during the Boer War.

Réammon Ó Muiri is a regular contributor to Creggan. His bilingual poem Imeacht an Iarla / The Flight of The Earl is something special, as it is about the late Cardinal Tomas O Fiaich. He is the incumbent editor of Seanchas Ard Mhacha journal of the Armagh Diocesan Historical Society an author of many books including The Archdiocese of Armagh - A History (Strasbourg, 2000).

Len Gourd is a member of the Creggan Local History Society, and a regular contributor to the journal. In this issue Len takes a look at the townland of Cornonagh - in the parish of Upper Creggan - through the 1901 census.

Kevin McMahon probably the best known local historian and prolific researcher in South Armagh. He works tirelessly for the good of the society, and is responsible for the creation of the society's unique collection of archive material. He has contributed to every issue of Creggan to date and is coauthor of the `Guide to Creggan Church and Graveyard'. His compilation of The Creggan Presbyterian Congregation and the tombstone inscriptions in Freeduff Presbyterian Graveyard, will preserve a large piece of our history for future generations.

We conclude the journal with the addresses from the Ecumenical services held in Creggan Parish Church for the years 2000 and 2001. It is through the efforts of Rev. Mervyn Kingston, Rector of Creggan Parish Church, and all concerned, that this Annual Ecumenical Service continues to flourish and is now into its fifteenth year.

As editor I would like to take the opportunity and thank the contributors for their articles and all who helped in any way in the production of this issue of Creggan.

I particularly would like to thank Liam Flynn (Printing) Dundalk and his staff for their professionalism and courtesy afforded me during the production of this and previous issues of Creggan. Thanks also to Mr Noel Ross, Old Dundalk Society, for his kind permission to reproduce photograph of Ravensdale House.

The contents of this issue may cut across the Christian religious spectrum of the society we live in, and in doing so, I hope you the reader will find it educational and informative, that it creates an awareness of the rich and vibrant cultural heritage within our midst, and to bring alive the history and traditions of our colourful past.

Michael McShane (Editor)
May 2002