Joe Mahon is in Mullaghbawn in south Armagh. From the top
of Slieve Gullion, Joe introduces us to this magical part of Ulster. The area
has a strong heritage of story-telling and myths. The landscape, created by a
volcano, is known as the Ring of Gullion. Kevin Murphy is the first person Joe
meets. He talks about the unique dialect of the area and how it is a mixture of
English, Irish and Plantagenet English.
Úna Walsh is a well-known historian in the area. Úna is part of a team, laying out stones marking all the townlands. Townlands are unique to Ireland and parts of Scotland. They mark geographical areas and each name tells a story. There are over 61,000 townlands in Ireland. Úna and Karen Murphy tell Joe all about it. At the Ti Chulainn community centre, at an exhibit of the history of the area, Diane McKevitt shows the importance of women's stories.
Pat McGeeney, a former winner of the Bard of Armagh competition, recites a poem in the bardic tradition. Barbara Grant is another poet. She and Sharon Eveson meet Joe and Sharon explains the legacy of the local Squire Jackson and the Jackson Trust. The local Church of Ireland is now a home and Laurence Evans shows Joe around it. As a listed building, it has retained some lovely features. Finally, Joe meets Elaine Burns, a local artist and Barbara Grant recites the poem she wrote especially for the show.