Brief history of Drumlish/Ballinamuck villages

Until the middle of the 18th century, drumlish formed part of the parish of Killoe. It was first known as "The Parish of Monaduff", because the church stood in the townland so named about half way between Ballinamuck and Drumlish. It was not until 1822 that the name was changed from Monaduff to Drumlish.

Drumlish has however many reminders of pre-historic past which carries the mind back to the dim and distant ages of the Bronze Age, or even to Neolithic Times.

At Melkagh, there are a number of Pillar Stones whcih in Pagan Times (about 2500B.C.) were erected as memorials to the dead. The name Creaghlaghta (Crith-Leachta) would suggest an abundance of prehistoric monuments. Remains of a crannog is still to be seen in Fardromin lake - also a ringfort in Drumbad. At Cloonaugh (Cluain Each), "The Meadow of the Steeds", a large flag with many emblems on it is yet refusing to reveal its secrets.

The name Ballinamuck, Baile Atha na Muice, recalls the black pig tradition assosciated with the boundary of Ulster. It ran from Lough Boderg towards Granard on to the Blackwater, and the Boyle, which would suggest that part of the North Longford area was in the province of Ulster at one time. In the time of St. Patrick, it was in the kingdom of Meath, later still, with the coming of the Comnaice, in Connaught and since the time of James I, in Leinster. At Kilamhon, there are traces of an early church or Ceall, the cell of a hermit, St. Muadan. He didn't live alone, but actually had a large contingent of loyal worshippers.

Then came the year of the French, 1798. On the morning of the 8th september, General Humbert and his army of 800 French and 1,500 Irish were on their way from Cloone to Granard. He reached Ballinamuck pursued by an advance guard of general Lakes under the command of Colonel Crawford. He made contact with the rear guard of the French at Kiltycreevagh. About 200 men under Sarrazin lay down their arms immderiately. Humbert had gone onto Ballinamuck and made ready for battle. He and 400 of the French together with a large number of the Irish moved up the hill of Shanmullagh , the remainder, the Battalion of Irish Pipemen under General Blake along with the French Grenadiers, under Captain Jobit were posted along the road. They were expecting their own rear guard but instead, the British arrived. The French opened fire, but soon found themselves facing squadrons of cavalry After 15 mins., Jobit was outflanked, surrendered with about 200 men. Blake getting free withdrew to a new position at Gaigue.

"The Garden of Remembrance in recognition of the feats of our forefathers"

The police fortress (now the '98 Hall), was built in Ballinamuck in 1830, with 2 towers. It was ringed by the Barracks at Fardromin, Kilevaha, Leganomer, Aughadowry and Drumlish. All stood on elevated sites so the police RIC could communicate with each other by means of waving a lantern if attacked. The first muder took place in 1835. Peter Harte who had been ostricised for voting Tory was killed at Ballinamuck. John Brock, the first Protestant put into the estate by Lord Lorton at Creaghlaghta was murdered. Arthur Cathcart who lived in Fardromin was attacked on a number of occassions and finally shot near his own house. William Morrisson was appointed Baliff after Cathcart's death, but he was choked in Ginty's pub in Drumlish. Hugh Moorhead was choked beside a clamp of turf on the bog, later, Michael Kenny was hanged for Moorhead's murder. The most tragic scene of the war was the burning of the village with 40 houses in April of 1839, at the request of Lord Lorton. He admitted afterwards that the burning was promoted by his anger at the savage barbarism on his estate. During the next 20 years, the area suffered the same fate as the rest of the country - Famine

The next major historical event which occured in the parish was "The Land War". On the 12th January 1881 the process-server arrived in Drumlish to serve ejectment notices on a number of Lord Granard's tenants around the village. The Drumlish and Ballinamuck and neighbouring Branches of the Land League knew beforehand that he was coming, and they organised resistance. Lord Granard sent his bailiff to point out the houses. When they got near Drumlish they were met by a large crowd, and after some aggro (to use a modernism), they got as far as the barracks. They then set out for the house of Thomas Rogers in Derawley to serve the first process.

"The Land War Memorial erected in Drumlish village"

Every field around the house was literally packed with men, and the women too formed no inconsiderable portion of the vast multitudes. A very tense and dangerous situation developed, because the Land League and their supporters were determined that the process would not be served, and the authorities were equally determined that it would. In the end the process was not served. The situation was potentially ugly, and that it did not become bloody was largely due to the restraining presence and influence of Fr. Tom Conerfry. But the situation was intolerable from the point of view of the authorities, and they returned in greater numbers and with greater force on the 13th, and again on the 14th. They failed to serve the processes and the attempt was abandoned.

In 1889 the G.A.A. was founded in the parish. It helped to keep the spirit of the people high and eventually led to own independence. As you have already read, the parish too, played it's part in that fight for freedom.

In 1919, Longford was organised on a battalion basis. The Drumlish/Ballinamuck area was covered by the 5th battalion. On the 6th January 1920 with Sean Mac Eoin and James Connolly attacked the barracks in Drumlish. Later the barracks in Ballinamuck was attacked. On the 19th June, 1921, Tommy Kelleher was shot dead by 10 Auxiliaries. His death was only about three weeks before the truce that ended the war. A Celtic Cross known as "The Kelleher Monument" commemorates this tragic event.

"The Kelleher Monument which commemorates the killing of Tommy Kelleher just weeks before a truce."

Thanks to these men of brave, our parish of Drumlish/Ballinamuck achieved outstanding success on the playing fields in the years that followed. Their courage and bravery are testament to a parish which holds a strong tradition in both unity and pride.

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