Welcome to Drumlish.

Once part of the ancient parish of Killoe, Drumlish achieved its independence as a parish around the year 1822. nIt then became known as the parish of Monaduff, a name obtained from that of the chapel which stood about half way between Drumlish and Ballinamuck. The chapel stood on the old road which lay left of the present road. In the year 1834, the parish of Monaduff became known as Drumlish.

Land War.

Drumlish earned its place in history due to the participation of its people in the Land War, 12-14 January 1881. On the 11th if January in 1881, a confrontation between the members and adherents of the Irish National land league, and the Royal Irish Constabulary took place in the parish of Drumlish. Both parties came to serve notice of eviction for non-payment of rents, and were accompanied by a large constabulary. This was the bailiff who came to enforce rent collection, which the people of Drumlish were unable to pay. Unknown to its inhabitants, a confrontation between the members and adherents of the National League and the Royal Irish Constabulary was proceeding in the village of Drumlish. The purpose of this confrontation was to collect rent and evict those people unable to pay. The people of Drumlish and Ballinamuck, on hearing the unwelcome news, made a hasty exit from their slumbers and prepared to resist the process server. In 1882, three hundred families were evicted from within a radius of three miles around Drumlish. However, the people of Drumlish were not willing to give in lightly and it wasn’t long before things came to a head. The people were called by the church bell and armed with guns, scythes, reaping hooks and pitchforks to meet openly with the lord of Granard, his process-server, bailiffs and the red coats in Drumlish. Under the leadership of father Conefrey, an open battle was averted. The local people eventually won and were allowed to reduce rents. Father Conefrey is remembered, even to this day, in Drumlish and surrounding areas for his bravery and courage. This famous episode of the Land War which took place in Drumlish is documented in the book The Land War in Drumlish by Fr. P. Conefrey.

Drumlish Protestant Church.

Built in the early 1800’s, Drumlish Protestant church, a limestone building, was situated on the hill road almost directly opposite the old catholic church. It flourished for many years, however in the early 1900’s the Protestant congregation began to decline. The last service, with an attendance of only two people, was in 1932. Shortly afterwards, the church was closed and fell into disrepair. In 1949/50, it was unfortunately demolished.

Melkagh Dolman .

Melkagh is the last spectacular of the three known portal dolmans in the County. There are a number of stone pillars which date back to pre-Christian times. Usually in Pagan days, they were erected as memorials to the dead. In some cases, however, they were used as a medium through which worship was paid to the departed dead. During penal times mass was offered in the forth in Melkagh.nMelkagh is situated 2.5km north of Drumlish on the main Drumlish/Cloone road.

The Old Corn Mill.

The Old Corn Mill at Drumlish is situated along the main Longford/Cavan Road and almost beneath the shadow of Cairn Hill. The mill has been in the Rogers family for nearly two centuries and did a flourishing business up to the 1950s. It served a wide area for the milling of oats into oatmeal and also corn-crushing. During the famine of 1846/1847, the oats crop helped many to survive and as a result Drumlish did not suffer as badly as other areas. In recent years, the exterior of the Mill and its surround has been restored by Drumlish Enterprise Group under the Community Employment Scheme and has enhanced the entrance to the village. The village is the starting point for the climb of Cairn Hill. It is a pleasant climb and there are extensive views from its summit, which is crowned by a cairn.