Last year 2007 the society published Mary Cumiskey's book titled Creggan Charter School 1737-1811, this year we are back on course again with the thirteenth issue of "Creggan".

2007 brought trials as well as tribulations, the untimely death of John Fee, the first editor of "Creggan" was one of those trials which cast a shadow over, not least the Creggan Local History Society, but over the whole community.

The present editor dedicates this issue of "Creggan" to his memory and pens a short tribute to honour his work, his vision, his enthusiasm and commitment which he had shown to the society and the community.

In this issue we publish articles researched by some new and some old contributors to our journal.

The first article is by Rory Kieran on an historic find that was made at Urney Graveyard back in the late 1950s.

Kevin McMahon provides us with a detailed account that led to the death in Mountjoy Jail of Michael Watters, of Monegilla, near Cullaville. He was one of twelve men sentenced, and received ten years penal servitude for his alleged part in the "Crossmaglen Conspiracy".

Eamon O hUallachain delivered the Jem Murphy Memorial Lecture to the society on 24th November 2006 as part of the 400th anniversary of the Flight of the Earls. We are pleased that Eamon has provided an abridged version for our journal.

Len Gourd has been researching the Eastwood family who owned property both in Co. Louth and South Armagh. In this article Len gives us an insight into the life of James Eastwood 1797-1865.

Michael McArdle one of our new contributors has collated information from different sources to form an interesting account of Loyalism in the Fews, 1572-1925.

In issue number 12 we published census lists and a rental list relating to the townland of Cregganduff. The original boy's school register of Cregganduff was also included. In this issue we complete the task by publishing the original girl's school register from 1887-1953.

Gerard McCann who hails from the townland of Ballykeel near Mullaghbawn gives us a personal account into the "rough and tumble" of "Threshing" on the farms in his neighbourhood in the 1950s.

Much has been recorded in previous Creggan journals about the building of St. Brigid's Church Glassdrummond. In this issue we record the 75th Anniversary of its opening and dedication.

St. Oliver Plunkett Church Dorsey celebrated its Golden Jubilee on Sunday 19th November 2006. The homily was given by Archbishop Sean Brady. The annual ecumenical service took place in Creggan Parish Church, Crossmaglen on Sunday 29th October 2006. Preacher: Revd Mervyn Kingston.

The Society is indebted once again to Liam Flynn and his staff for their professionalism in the production of this issue of Creggan.

Michael McShane
October 2008