Church of the Week
Creggan, Crossmaglen, County Armagh
Creggan Parish Church in Crossmaglen, County Armagh, a Gothic Revival church set inside an ancient graveyard, is our Church of the Week. The B+ listed church is steeped in fascinating stories and connections to the history of the area. Built sometime in the latter half of the 18th century and with a tower dating to 1799, the church stands on the site of an earlier medieval church, believed to have been founded when the O’Neill family arrived in the area in around 1450, building a castle at nearby Glassdrummond. The O’Neills were a powerful dynasty descending from High Kings of Ireland, and it’s believed that their family vault was located underneath the church that originally stood here. The O’Neills aren’t the only notable figures buried here. The ancient churchyard is home to the graves of three 18th-century poets – Art Mac Cumhaigh, Pádraig Mac Aliondain and Séamus Mór Mac Murphy. A walk inspired by them, the Poets Trail, begins outside the church and explores the local area through the stories of historical poets and scholars who lived there, bringing visitors to enjoy the church. In 2021, Creggan Parish Church needed help to address damp and protect the building for future generations. The National Churches Trust stepped in with a grant towards the costs, helping to preserve the fascinating heritage of this building, as well as keeping the church open for regular services, concerts and community events.
View Creggan Creggan Parish Church
