Drumlane

Drumlane. Ruins of round tower and church.

Drumlane (Irish: Droim Leathain, meaning "The Broad Ridge") is a monastery located in Milltown, County Cavan, Ireland. Located at the monastic site is an abbey, church and round tower which date back to 555. Drumlane was founded by Saint Columba, although Saint Mogue is generally associated with the monastery's foundation, evidence suggests that the foundation of Drumlane is older than his time.^[1] In 1261 the monastery was burned by the O'Rourkes, a rival clan of the O'Reillys of East Breifne.

The original monastic buildings were made of wood, but were replaced in the 12th century when the monastery was taken over by the Augustinians. The Round Tower is the most distinguished part of the monastery, a tall circular stone structure that stands beside the church and is the only remaining round tower in the Diocese of Kilmore.^[2]

Saints associated with Drumlane Abbey

• Saint Columba (founded Drumlane c. 555 AD)
• Saint Mogue (conceived after parent’s visit to Drumlane)
• Saint Danem (Feast Day 13 November)
• Saint Indem
• Saint Fintan
• Saint Indecht (Feast Day 11 August)

Abbots of Drumlane Abbey

• Urcain Mac Ailill (nicknamed Faircellach, ancestor of the O’Farrellys): 632-
• Conchobhar O’Farrelly: -965-
• Dubhinsi O’Farrelly: -1025 (died)
• Conaig O’Farrelly: -1059 (died)
• Muiredach O’Farrelly: -1257 (died)
• Niall O’Farrelly: -1357 (died)
• William O’Farrelly: -1366-1368 (died)
• Muiredach O’Farrelly: 1368-December 1368 (died)
• William O’Farrelly: -1400 (died)
• Maurice O’Farrelly: 1400-
• Muiredach O’Farrelly: -1438 (died)
• Nicholas O’Farrelly: 6 September 1438-
• Hugh O’Maelmocheirghe: -1512 (died)

Priors of Drumlane Abbey

• Conaig O’Farrelly: -1059 (died)
• Peter Magauran: -1431 (died)
• Patrick O’Farrelly: (but in actual possession of Cormac Mác Shamhradháin) 1431-1436
• Patrick O’Farrelly: 1436-1439
• Cormac Mác Shamhradháin: 1439-1444 (later Bishop of Ardagh)
• Thady Magauran: 1444-1455
• Peter Magauran: July 1456-
• John MacBrien: -26 August 1467
• Cormac Mág Shamhradháin: 26 August 1467-December 1511 (died) (Also Bishop of Kilmore)
• Ferdinand Farrelly: -1651-
• Andrew Magaghran: -1678-

R.C. Parish Priests of Drumlane

• William O’Farrelly: -1400 (died)
• Maurice O’Farrelly: 1400-January 1401
• David O’Farrelly: January 1401-1410 (died)
• Brian O’Farrelly: -1484 (died)
• Ferdinand Farrelly: 1631-?
• Andrew Magaghran: 1652-1705
• Edmund Magaghran: 1705-1726 (died)
• Bernard MacHenry: -1739-1749
• Thomas Fitzsimons: 1750-1769-
• Owen O’Reilly: -1782-1790 (died)
• Farrell O’Reilly: 1790- 24 August 1807 (later Bishop of Kilmore)
• Nicholas Brady (Upper Drumlane): 1815-2 September 1835 (died)
• Patrick McCabe (Lower Drumlane): 1815-2 September 1835
• Patrick McCabe (Upper & Lower Drumlane): 2 September 1835 -15 October 1843 (died)
• Philip Donegan: 1843-31 January 1854 (died)
• Patrick O’Reilly: 24 March 1854-16 February 1880 (died)
• Bernard Finegan: March 1880-May 1886 (later Bishop of Kilmore)
• Edward MacGennis: May 1886-15 April 1888 (later Bishop of Kilmore)
• James Brady: 15 April 1888-18 February 1918 (retired)
• Patrick Magauran: 18 February 1918-11 July 1920 (died)
• Bernard Carolan: 27 August 1920-21 August 1923 (died)
• Charles Magee: 20 October 1923-28 December 1938 (died)
• John Brady: 21 March 1939-14 December 1943 (transferred)
• Peter O’Reilly: 14 December 1943-26 January 1949 (transferred)
• Patrick MacGibney: 26 January 1949-22 June 1955 (died)
• Arthur J. MacMahon: 27 August 1955-31 March 1982 (retired)
• Patrick Callaghan: 20 July 1974-21 August 1982 (retired as P.P. but remained as Curate)
• Joseph C. Young: 21 August 1982-26 August 1989 (retired)
• Bernard Doyle: 26 August 1989-
• Gerard Comiskey: current P.P.

R.C. Curates of Drumlane

Drumlane parish had two curacies, one at Drumlane and one at Staghall

Staghall Curates

• Patrick Trainor: 1839-1840 (transferred)
• Patrick Brady: 1840- 15 January 1841 (died)
• Patrick Gilroy: 1841-1853 (transferred)
• Michael Clancy: 1844-1846 (transferred)
• Peter Brady: 1878-1879 (transferred)
• Bernard Carolan: 1900-1905 (transferred)
• John Brady: 1906-1907 (transferred)
• Thomas J. Bradley: 1907-1909 (transferred)
• Francis McGowan: 1911-11 November 1920 (died)
• Edward MacGennis: 1924-1927 (transferred)
• Laurence Corr; 1927-1929 (transferred)
• Alexander J. MacCabe: 1929-1930 (transferred)
• Walter J. McGrath: 1930-1935 (transferred)
• Thomas Galligan: 1935-1939 (transferred)
• Patrick Callaghan: 1982-1986 (retired)

Milltown Curates

• Charles O’Reilly: -1844-1851
• Peter Connolly: -1919-
• Thomas J. Bradley: 1922-1934 (transferred)

References

• McGuinn, J., ed. (1995). Staghall a History 1846-1996. Cavan: A Church Committee Publication. 

Coordinates: 54°03′26″N 7°28′41″W / 54.05722°N 7.47806°W / 54.05722; -7.47806