"Our heritage predates this border" - Calls for cross-border collaboration with South Armagh

Louth County Council have been told Ireland's heritage "predates this border" amid calls to have South Armagh included in Ireland's Ancient East.

Fine Gael councillor for Dundalk/Carlingford John Reilly tabled a motion at the April meeting of Louth County Council calling for the local authority to write to the relevant minister to request South Armagh's inclusion in Ireland's Ancient East. 

Cllr Reilly told the meeting he had been approached by community groups in South Armagh who he said had "seen the experience of Faughart" where visitor numbers have gone up "immensely since we've added the two holy sites in Faughart to Ireland's Ancient East". 

The Fine Gael councillor said he lives just 700 metres from the border and said monuments like Mora Castle and the Gap of the North, an ancient route between Ulster and eastern Ireland, are not being marketed. 

"I look over and I see the Gap of the North, we’ve got such a rich history in North Louth. So many different armies have been down there, William of Orange, Lord Mountjoy. 

Mora Castle was built around the time of that, it’s just across the border and it’s not marketed. Ireland’s ancient east is a story of our shared heritage and our shared heritage doesn’t just stop at Carrickedmond," he said. 

Cllr Reilly said South Armagh is "crying out for tourism".

"Our heritage predates this border a hundred years ago. South Armagh has had issues with the troubles over the years and it is really crying out for tourism and they’re crying out for help with tourism.

I believe if this area was included in Ireland’s Ancient East it would be a tremendous advantage," he said. 

He said parts of Fermanagh are already included in Ireland's Ancient East "so there is a precedent on it". 

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The motion received support from fellow councillors, with Independent Ciarán Fisher saying the East Border Region has shown the success of cross-border collaboration before adding "Ireland's Ancient East doesn't end in North Louth". 

Sinn Féin councillor for Ardee Pearse McGeough labelled the motion "timely" and said he hopes it is implemented.

However, Dundalk councillor Maeve Yore questioned the likelihood of South Armagh's inclusion. 

"Ireland’s Ancient East didn’t even put Louth in it when they were advertising it initially so I wish you luck with getting South Armagh into it," she said.

In a statement, Cllr Reilly said "inclusion would bring real economic benefits, supporting local businesses, on both sides of the border".

“This is not about politics,” he said. “It’s about recognising shared heritage and ensuring South Armagh can benefit from a proven, sustainable tourism framework.”

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.