Overview
The Fews – known in Irish as Na Feadha (the woods or wilderness) – dominate the southern part of County Armagh. Their rugged hills, deep glens and scattered stone monuments have earned the region a reputation as both a natural playground and a living museum of Irish history. Visitors who venture into the Fews will find a landscape that has resisted conquest for centuries, offering dramatic vistas, ancient burial sites and a strong sense of community folklore.
Name & Landscape
The name Fews derives from the Irish plural féa, meaning “woods”. Historically the whole island was heavily forested, and many place‑names in the area retain the root – Feebane, Feemore, Feebeg, etc. The terrain is characterised by drumlin fields left by the last Ice Age, steep volcanic ridges that form the Ring of Gullion, and a network of rivers and lakes that support fishing and kayaking.
History
The Fews were long a refuge for Gaelic families because the terrain made plantation difficult. In 1572 Queen Elizabeth I granted the area – then described as “Orior, the Fews and Gallowglass country” – to Sir Thomas Chatterton, but his attempts to establish a fortified settlement at Camlough failed and the grant was later revoked. Subsequent waves of Scottish and English settlers arrived in the 17th century, establishing small colonies at Markethill, Creggan and Shillan, yet the native Irish population remained dominant well into the Cromwellian era.
Redmond O’Hanlon and the Rapparees
The 17th‑century Gaelic chieftain Redmond O’Hanlon became a legendary outlaw (rapparee) who operated from the Fews. He collected protection money from locals and redistributed it, earning a folk‑hero status. O’Hanlon was assassinated in 1681, but his story lives on in local ballads and place‑names.
Patrick Linden – The Fews Harpist
The celebrated 18th‑century harper Patrick Linden (Pádraig na gCláirseach) lived in the Fews, near the townland of Lisleitrim in Lower Creggan. He taught harpist Patrick Quin and performed at the Harpers’ Assembly in Belfast in 1792. Contemporary sources note that Linden was a distinguished performer who could read and write Irish fluently, and that he was described as “very poor” in Edward Bunting’s notes. His repertoire included airs such as Miss Hamilton, Saely Kelly and Maudhin Voge Eveen.
Pilgrimage and Sacred Sites
St Brigid, one of Ireland’s three patron saints, is traditionally said to have been born at Faughart in the Fews in 451 AD. A small shrine at the site attracts pilgrims and visitors interested in early Christian heritage. The area also contains the Dorsey Enclosure, an Iron‑Age earthwork, and numerous stone cairns that are linked to ancient ritual practices.
Modern History & The Troubles
During the 20th century the Fews were a focal point of the Irish War of Independence, the Civil War, and later the Troubles. The British Army erected fifteen concrete observation towers across the borderland, with helicopters resupplying troops to avoid roadside ambushes. All towers were demolished after the Good Friday Agreement, and no remnants remain for visitors to see.
What to See & Do
| Attraction | Highlights | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Slieve Gullion – “The Holy Mountain” | 573 m summit with a cairn, Calliagh Berra’s Lough, legends of Archbishop Oliver Plunkett and Cú Chulainn. | Well‑marked trail from the village of Camlough; the climb takes about 2 hours. |
| Ring of Gullion | A natural ring‑dyke of low hills encircling Slieve Gullion; includes the Dorsey Enclosure, an Iron‑Age earthwork. | Public footpaths loop around the ring; car parks at Dorsey and at the base of Slieve Gullion. |
| Ballykeel Dolmen | Portal tomb with three upright stones and a capstone, locally called “The Hag’s Chair”. | Located at the western foot of Slieve Gullion; a short walk from the roadside. |
| Annaghmare Cairn | A 20 ft long megalithic court grave, known locally as “The Black Castle”, reputed for ghostly sightings. | Isolated forest near the village of Cullyhanna; a marked trail leads to the cairn. |
| Creggan Graveyard & Poet’s Glen | Church of Ireland graveyard containing the O’Neill burial vault and the graves of 18th‑century Gaelic poets Art McCooey, Padraig MacAlinden and the rapparee Seamus MacMurphy. An underground vault discovered in 1971 holds additional O’Neill remains. | Near the wooden banks of the Creggan River; free parking at the village of Creggan. |
| Moyry Castle | Square tower built in 1601 by Lord Mountjoy to command the “Gap of the North”; features gunloops and an interior bawn wall. | Visible from the Moyry Pass road; exterior can be viewed at any time. |
| Kilnasaggart Pillar Stone | Early‑Christian pillar stone dated to c. AD 700, bearing an inscription dedicating the site to St Peter. | Sited on the historic Tara‑to‑Dunseverick road through the Moyry Pass. |
| Killeavy Old Churches | Ruins of a 5th‑century monastic site founded by St Monenna; a granite grave marker attracts pilgrims seeking healing. | Accessible from the Killeavy village centre; a short walk from the main road. |
| Hearty’s Folk Cottage | Restored thatched cottage operating as a traditional pub/restaurant, offering live music and storytelling. | Located in the heart of the countryside near Crossmaglen; open evenings May–September (check Facebook for exact times). |
| Camlough Lake – “The Crooked Lake” | Ribbon lake surrounded by gentle hills; popular for fishing, kayaking and picnics. | Parking available at the lake’s north shore; easy access from the A1 road. |
| Forkhill Village | Small historic village on the Forkhill River, once a key trade centre en route to Armagh. | Walkable streets with a few local craft shops and a community centre. |
Activities & Trails
- Ring of Gullion Walk – a 12‑km loop that starts at the Dorsey Enclosure, climbs Slieve Gullion and returns via the low‑lying ring‑dyke. The route is well‑signposted and suitable for walkers of moderate fitness.
- Slieve Gullion Trail – a shorter 4‑km ascent from Camlough to the summit, offering panoramic views of the surrounding drumlins and the Mourne Mountains.
- Cycling – the quiet B‑roads north of Loughgall provide low‑traffic routes ideal for road‑bike day trips. The Moyry Pass offers a challenging climb for mountain bikers.
- Fishing & Water Sports – Camlough Lake is stocked with brown trout; anglers can obtain permits from the local Angling Association. Kayaks and paddle‑boards are available for hire in Camlough village during summer.
- Cultural Walks – follow the “Poets’ Trail” linking the graves of Art McCooey, Padraig MacAlinden and Seamus MacMurphy, with interpretive panels at the Poet’s Glen.
Pilgrimage & Sacred Sites
- Faughart Shrine – commemorates the birthplace of St Brigid. A modest stone shrine marks the spot and is a quiet place for reflection.
- Calliagh Berra’s Lough on Slieve Gullion is linked to the legendary 8th‑century monk who is said to have created the lake with a single sweep of his staff.
Music & Cultural Heritage
The Fews have a strong musical tradition, exemplified by the 18th‑century harper Patrick Linden. Local venues such as Hearty’s Folk Cottage host regular traditional music sessions, keeping the harp and fiddle traditions alive.
Nearby Attractions
The Fews lie within the wider Mourne Gullion Strangford Geopark – a UNESCO‑recognised area that includes the Ring of Gullion, the Mourne Mountains and the coastal cliffs of Strangford Lough. Visitors can extend their day‑trip to explore the Mourne Gullion Strangford Geopark. The rolling Armagh Drumlins to the north provide additional scenic walks and cycling routes (Armagh Drumlins).
Practical Information
The Fews are best explored by car, as public transport is limited. The main access routes are the A1 (Belfast‑Newry) and the B27 which runs through Crossmaglen, Forkhill and Newtownhamilton. Parking is generally free at most attractions, though some sites such as Hearty’s Folk Cottage may charge a modest fee for table service.
- Opening hours – Most historic monuments (dolmens, cairns, stone circles) are open 24 hours year‑round. Hearty’s Folk Cottage operates evenings May–September; check their Facebook page for exact times.
- Admission – There is no entry fee for the natural sites. Moyry Castle and the Kilnasaggart Pillar Stone can be viewed from the public road at no cost.
- Website – For up‑to‑date information on events, accommodation and guided walks, visit the official tourism portal visitarmagh.com.
- Accessibility – The majority of outdoor attractions involve uneven ground and steep sections; they are best suited to visitors with a reasonable level of fitness. The Camlough Lake picnic area provides level paths and wheelchair‑friendly facilities.
- Local services – The market town of Crossmaglen offers a range of B&Bs, cafés and a visitor information centre where you can pick up detailed walking maps.
Whether you are tracing the footsteps of ancient chieftains, climbing the holy summit of Slieve Gullion, or simply soaking in the sweeping borderland scenery, the Fews of South Armagh deliver a uniquely Irish experience that blends myth, history and natural beauty.
Tags: [“Scenic”,“Historic”,“Outdoors”,“Family Friendly”]