‘History doesn’t stop at the border’ – Louth councillor backs South Armagh to be included in Ireland’s Ancient East
A Louth councillor has led calls for South Armagh to be formally included in the national ‘Ireland’s Ancient East’ tourism campaign, saying the region’s heritage and cultural identity long predates the border.
Fine Gael councillor John Reilly tabled a motion at the April meeting of Louth County Council urging that South Armagh be added to the Ireland’s Ancient East website, highlighting the deep historical and cultural links between the two neighbouring areas.
Cllr Reilly told councillors he had been contacted by community groups in South Armagh who were seeking support for their efforts to have the area recognised as part of the tourism initiative.
“I live just 700 metres from the Border, and I look over at the Gap of the North and we’ve got such a rich history in north Louth,” he said.
“Our shared heritage doesn’t stop at Carickedmond. It predates this Border formed one hundred years ago.”
Cllr Reilly said that while South Armagh had faced challenges historically, particularly during the Troubles, it now had significant untapped tourism potential.
“South Armagh has had issues over the years with the Troubles, but it is really crying out for tourism,” he said.
He added that the inclusion of Faughart in the Ireland’s Ancient East campaign had already inspired community groups north of the Border to pursue similar recognition.
According to Cllr Reilly, South Armagh’s historic landscape aligns naturally with the themes of the national campaign, with ancient routeways, archaeological sites, early Christian heritage and a strong literary tradition forming a continuous cultural landscape across the modern Border.
He highlighted close historic and family links between Faughart and Creggan, where communities were interconnected for generations. Sites such as Creggan graveyard and Church of Ireland, and Moyra (Mora) Castle, overlooking the Gap of the North—an ancient route linking Ulster with eastern Ireland—were cited as clear examples of shared and uninterrupted heritage.
The motion also referenced the area’s cultural legacy, pointing to Irish-language poets Peadar Ó Doirnín, born in Roskeagh, Kilcurry and buried in Urney, Dungooley, and Art Mac Cumhaigh (Art McCooey), whose work is rooted in the wider Oriel region spanning both sides of the Border.
Cllr Reilly said inclusion in Ireland’s Ancient East would bring tangible economic benefits by supporting tourism enterprises and local businesses, north and south.
“This is not about politics,” he told the meeting. “It’s about recognising shared heritage and ensuring South Armagh can benefit from a proven, sustainable tourism framework.”
The motion received cross-party support. Cllr Ciaran Fisher said the history of north Louth “doesn’t stop at the Border,” while Cllr Pearse McGeough described the proposal as “timely”.
However, Cllr Maeve Yore struck a note of caution, pointing out that Louth itself had originally been omitted from the Ireland’s Ancient East campaign.
“So I wish you luck getting South Armagh into it,” she said.
The motion was agreed by councillors.