We know the Digital Film Archive contains treasures. Connecting with people passionate about their community unlocks the stories behind the films and their true importance.

Úna Walsh is a local historian in South Armagh. Úna is a keeper of the oral traditions of the area and works to preserve these stories for future generations. So, to have film that helps Úna do that work and connects her to her own story is very special.

From “Once Upon a Place: Crossmaglen”, produced by UTV in 1990, Úna has selected this clip that shows Cardinal Tómas O’Fiaich, Canon Clarke, Mary Cumiskey & Jem Murphy (Úna’s father) visiting the vault of the O’Neills in Creggan Graveyard, South Armagh.

Úna writes:

“Creggan Graveyard is an important heritage site, pulling the centuries together and shows them in the nudity of their co-relation. It gives food for thought and at no time of the day do whispers of the past become more vibrant that at the twilight hour – Creggan of the princes; Creggan of the Irish chieftains; Creggan of the Cromwellian landlords; Creggan of the Gael; Creggan of the Gall; Creggan of the poets; Creggan of the outlaw; Creggan of the pries-hunter; Creggan of ’98; Creggan of the Famine; Creggan of the Land League; Creggan of the clergy – Church of Ireland, Presbyterian and Roman Catholic; Creggan of the countless thousands of ordinary people.

As the O’Neill vault is closed, this Digital Archive clip is enormously important. Oral tradition tells us that Art MacCumhaigh wrote Úrchill a’ Chreagain (the anthem of Southeast Ulster) as he sat in the vault surrounded by the bones of the Gaelic Chieftains.”

We have worked with Úna and the local community to record her work in the area. This one-hour documentary is available for screenings. Contact us for more information.

https://digitalfilmarchive.net/media/treasuring-south-armagh-stories-una-walsh-7600