AS interest buillt up for the All-Ireland Semi-final in 2002 against Dublin, it was fitting that the Slieve Gullion region should supply key players to the Armagh county squad, - the O�Rourke brothers from Dromintee; goalkeeper Benny Tierney, the Mullabawn teacher; and the McNulty brothers from nearby Lislea.

For four Forkhill players, - Paddy Toner, Peter Conlon, Eddie Toal and Jim Maguire, - were in the Orchard county side, which won the All-Ireland Junior Championship in 1926; Malachy McEvoy from Jonesboro was �man of the match� in the 1953 All-Ireland Final against Kerry; and Padraig McNamee from Carricksticken was President of the GAA from 1938 until 1943.

Meanwhile, this scenic area in the shadow of legendary Slieve Gullion has really been put on the map, as regards tourism, music and politics. For example, the cultural and heritage complex, known as Ti Chulainn, has been awarded the �Best Tourism Project� by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and British Airways.

And a few miles away is Slieve Gullion Forest Park and Courtyard, also a top attraction for visitors. They can drive to the summit of this famous mountain, enjoy the various walks and wall garden, or visit the heritage centre and licensed restaurant.

Meanwhile, Moyra Pass or �Gap of the North,� has been the scene of many historic battles. Here, Cuchalainn defeated Queen Maeve and her army, while Edward Bruce (of �Braveheart� fame,�) invaded the Pale through the Pass, and was crowned King of Ireland at Dundalk.

In the 16th century, the O�Neill clan were masters of �the Fews,� as Hugh O�Neill forced Queen Elizabeth�s favourite, the Earl of Essex, to negotiate a Truce. Recalled to London, he organised a rebellion and was beheaded.

The notorious General Mountjoy then took over, out-smarted O�Neill�s forces and breached the Pass, building Moyra Castle in 1601. King William�s army, under the command of General Schomberg, also came this route, on his way to the Battle of the Boyne. Later, St Oliver Plunkett came through the Pass, when �on the run.�

Of course, this region has witnessed more recent �armies,� official and paramilitary. The most sensational episode came when under-cover British Army officer, Captain Nairac, posing as an itinerant musician, was taken by an armed IRA gang from �Three Steps� public house in the 70�s. His body has never been recovered.

And a son of the �Three Steps� publican, the late Des McCreesh, was killed when a car-bomb exploded outside the premises. Another youth was blinded by the blast. Two other young men, Sean Campbell and Jim Loughrey, were also killed in a bomb explosion. Four British soldiers lost their lives when a landmine was detonated, while RUC Inspector White was shot dead in his car, a few miles from the Forkhill Station, where he was based.

However, the image of this area as �Bandit country,� was rejected by a leading member of the Irish National Foresters, John McEvoy, chairman of Newry and Mourne district council, speaking at an Annual INF Convention, hosted by the Red Hugh O�Donnell Branch.

He stated: �Forkhill has the unwelcome distinction of being known as a place of some danger and lawlessness. But this Convention has presented a resounding rebuff to that allegation. I am sure that visitors from all over Ireland, here to-day, will be spreading the message that a false impression has gone forth about Forkhill, which is really a peaceful place, in a lovely setting.

On the political front, Paddy O�Hanlon from Mullabawn was elected MP for South Armagh, and later an Assemblyman, while his cousin, Dr Rory O�Hanlon, was Irish Minister for Health, and is now Chairman of the Fianna Fail Party.

Sportsman, civil rights leader, teacher, rock musician, author, dramatist and captain of Warrenpoint Golf Club, the snowy-bearded barrister, Paddy O�Hanlon has just released his latest work of fiction, based on the Crossmaglen area. He has declared no further interest in a political career, at Stormont or Westminster.

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