Capitalising on the rugged, unspoiled countryside of extinct volcanoes and valleys, forest parks, fish-filled lakes and rivers, the local Tourist Office, with Michele Boyle in charge, have noticed an increasing flow of visitors, especially from the United States and back-packers.

Tom McKay commented: �Some of the flags and signs might have put some visitors off. But to many Americans they are an attraction. You can see them taking photographs of the signs. Since the ceasefire, we have noticed bus-tours coming around, just to look out of curiosity.

�This is an ideal spot for tourists. We are equi-distant from Belfast and Dublin, and have some of the best fishing in these islands. Because of the conflict, the rivers and loughs have been under-fished. We can even promise visitors a better catch than most other angling venues.�

And Tom recalled: �The Square in Cross` was the catalyst that finally got the community off its knees. Once it was redeveloped, shopkeepers began to revamp their premises, many retaining a quaint style. The town really began to take off. A new community centre was constructed on the site of the old cinema, burned down during the Troubles.�

The major injection of funds for the South Armagh Tourism Initiative, under the Natural Resource for Rural Tourism, was announced by the North�s Agriculture and Culture Minister, Ian Pearson. It was part of the Department�s Rural Development Programme for the period 2001 to 2006.

It focused on �developing and enhancing the natural and cultural resources, which many have suffered as a result of conflict, and which can benefit from the opportunities now available from peace.�

Big Tom McKay came to the town over 40 years ago, when he married a local girl, Joan McShane. Since then, he has made a magnificent contribution to the community and the region. Director of the Local Strategic Partnership, he is chairman of the Board of Governors at St Joseph�s High School, as well as having been the first Youth Club leader; also a player, Scor Officer, and now P.R.O of Crossmaglen Rangers GFC.

Born at Castlewellan, he spent some years in Newry, employed at Quinn�s the Milestone (now Dunnes Stores on Hill Street)). Also on the Milestone GAA side were future Down star, Tony Hadden, and Pat Toner from Forkhill, later chairman of Newry and Mourne district council. And he was in the Newry Shamrocks squad, which won the County Senior Championship in 1956.

Tom, who retired from his post as Manager of the Employment and Training Office in Newry, a few years, has two sporting brothers, - Benny, a former hurler and member of the popular Crubeen Folk Group; and Anthony, a champion Irish dancer, who was in the Abbey CBS side, which won their first-ever MacRory Cup in 1954.

Another local resident, who made a major contribution to the community at Cross�, was the late Dr Jack Crummie. One of the most esteemed GP�s in the North, he was awarded the supreme accolade as Fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners, ten years ago. A native of the nationalist �Tunnel� area of Portadown, Jack was educated at St Patrick�s College in Armagh, and graduated from the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, where he played rugby for Blackrock.

In 1939, �Jolly Jack� Crummie came to Crossmaglen, which he later described as �a small village, with a few houses and shops, - best known for smuggling.� But, as the late Cardinal O Fiaich recalled, at a presentation to mark the doctor�s retirement in 1993, �from the moment he arrived in Cross�, Jack Crummie won a place in the heart of everyone with his kindness, consideration and humanity.

�Not only was he the local doctor, but also your friend and trusted confidante. He not only dealt with bodily afflictions, but helped to heal broken hearts, raising the spirits of those who had lost hope, and giving confidence to those who were on the verge of despair.�

And the late cardinal added: �When a new doctor comes along, people are a bit shy at first. But on Jack�s arrival at any house or sick room, the perpetual smile on his face broke down all barriers. Everyone fell in love with him. Nor can we forget his long and unselfish service on pilgrimages to Lourdes, for which he received the Silver Medal of the Hospitalate.�

Mrs Deirdre Fee, whose late husband had been a colleague of Dr Crummie, described him as �very jovial, kind and community-orientated, totally committed to the Lourdes Invalid Committee.� And the doctor�s brother-in-law, Eugene Donaghy, spoke of his �great sense of humour, giving himself completely to the welfare of his patients, as well as support for every organisation in the district.�

In response, the late Dr Jack Crummie stated: �I have always found the Crossmaglen people very kind, friendly, charitable and generous. It has been my privilege to have spent my life, serving the people of Crossmaglen.�

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