Drumlish
Brief History of Drumlish
Drumlish is a large picturesque village in North County Longford. It is close to the Cavan and Leitrim Borders and is 11 kilometers from Longford Town. Drumlish Parish extends from the eastern side of the parish of Clonguish to a short distance beyond the village of Ballinamuck. The area is predominantly rural with lakes and unspoilt landscape. Drumlish earned its place in history due to the participation of its people in the Land War, 12-14 January 1881.
ATTRACTIONS
The 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 Land War Monument
The monument commemorates the people who took part in the Land War. It was designed by John Carthy and Mattie Casey. It is erected on a site donated by Michael Burbage and was unveiled on 19 July 1981. James McDonnell of Melkagh is named on the inscription and represents the thousands of men and women who took part in the fight against the tyranny of the landlords. The symbolic cabin of 1881 and the dwelling house of 1981 mark the dramatic change in living standards that has accompanied the transition from tenancy to pride of ownership.
Kilmahon Graveyard
At Kilmahon there is an ancient cemetery and some faint traces of an early church or ‘ceall’ - the cell of a hermit. This hermit was St Muadan or St Mahon and reference is made to him in the ancient manuscript relating to St Colmcille. In fact he is a contemporary of Colmcille and so lived in the 6th century. The Book of Leinster speaks of Mahon of Kilmahon and gives the 12th May as his feast day. The Martyrology of Donegal gives the 6th March as his date of birth.
Bogs, Flora and Fauna
Drumlish has a unique environment with its unspoilt rural landscape and the natural beauty of its bogs. Peatlands are ecosystems comprising 95% water. They support combinations of plants and animals that do not exist in other habitats. Plants which can be seen include sphagnum, sundrew and bladderwort. Birds likely to be spotted include the kestrel, the red grouse and the snipe. Many bog plants were traditionally used in folk remedies and new uses are still being investigated.
Lough Salach
Set in a remote and unspoiled landscape, Lough Salach is a haven of tranquility. The lake teams with pike, perch, bream, roach and it situated approximately three miles from Drumlish .