The O`Neil Vault within the graveyard

Upon my research I came across this story on how the O`Neil Vault was found. For many years the exact position of the O’Neill Vault was a subject of speculation Have a read its rather extraordinary.


In 1973, during renovations at Creggan graveyard in preparation for the Art McCooey bi-centenary celebrations, local historian, the late Jem Murphy and Michael Hearty were clearing up beside the Eastwood vault when they noticed a tractor-driver, Owen Hearty on his knees, peering down.
Jem recalled: “We thought he was examining a large stone, on which he had caught the tiller. He waved us over. What he was looking down at was the long-lost Clan O’Neill vault. Silence ensued for a short while, as the realisation set in. Excitement was high, - the tension almost tangible.”Tipped off about the historic find, I drove to the scene, and was permitted to climb down the makeshift iron ladder with my camera. Despite the bright sunshine outside, it was difficult to penetrate the gloom. Gradually, the eyes grew accustomed to the dim light.Visible in the large enclosure was an amazing array of human skulls and bones, remains of the O`Neill clan chieftains, their ladies and warriors. They were laid out around the stone walls, beneath the arched roof, with lintels, limestone quoin and chiselled sets, constructed by artisans, 500 years before.Later, Jem Murphy wrote: “As we left the graveyard at Creggan that evening, the moon was coming up over Drumbally, throwing all kinds of shadows over the giant beech trees. The river was singing beneath us, and around us were centuries of buried kith and kin. For Creggan pulls the centuries together.“At no time do the whispers of the past become more vibrant than at twilight time, here in Creggan of the princes, the Irish chieftains, and Cromwellian landlords; Creggan of the Gael, the priest-hunter, the men of `98, the famine and the Land League; Creggan of the clergy, - Church of Ireland, Presbyterian and Roman Catholic; as well as countless thousands of ordinary people.”






All Rights to:
http://www.newrymemoirs.com/stories_pages/cregganoneillclans_1.html