Drumlane Abbey Church and Round Tower

Drumlane is pleasantly situated near the quiet Co. Cavan village of Miltown, a monastic site overlooking Lough Derrybrick often associated with St. Colmcille and St. Mogue (St. Maedoc of Ferns) where it is said that an early Christiaan monastic site had existed from the sixth century, having been attacked by Vikings in around 836 AD.

Drumlane Abbey was an important site associated with St. Aidan or Maedhóg. The round tower and medieval church are the remaining structures still existing today. The round tower dates back to the 11th or 12th century, and the church that previously stood on site was replaced by a medieval building.

According to local legend, it is said that the bell from the original church can be heard ringing, every few years, from the bottom of the Drumlane Lake.

Drumlane acted as the burial place for the O’Reilly’s – the local Gaelic Lords – and the remains of the tomb niches date back to the late medieval period.

Conservation works on stabilising the eastern gable wall of the church began in 2014 by the OPW, under the inspection of former Senior Conservation Architect Ana Dolan. These extensive works were completed in 2017.

Information source: Heritage OPW