For centuries, Ireland has been identified as the land of Saints and Scholars, a title well deserved when considering our unique wealth of heritage; a heritage that was beautifully established across the Irish landscape. Our forbears illustrious past still speaks to us, albeit through physical antiquity, sometimes in the form of ancient monasteries alongside their signature round tower. Today, these places remain on the pilgrimage trail of the interested, tourist and historian alike. In our busy world we occassionally ought to ditch technology, and make time to visit some of these old centres.
Casting stones
In November 1898, the Rev. Robert Leech, Church of Ireland rector at Drumlane, was horrified to learn of the locals quarrying activities at Drumlane Abbey. Leech who had a deep affection for Cavan’s history, enunciated his opinion in The Anglo-Celt, stating, ‘a few days ago I was startled by someone saying to me, “Mr. Millar has gone down to Milltown to examine about that house that has fallen.” “What house”, I asked. ”The house Mr. Wilson was building for his cattle.” “Well what of that”, said I. “Oh, but there’s something more in it than that”, said another.’
It transpired that the stones used by the farmer had being removed from the old Abbey at Drumlane. Leech added, ‘I fairly jumped from my seat. Drumlane Abbey carted away to build a cow or cattle shed! Impossible! ‘ Happily, Rev.Leech found that Mr. Wilson had ‘not done much harm and he had done what had been done without thinking harm.’ Over the years, both a section of wall that had previously fallen and its foundations were completely removed. It was chiefly due to Rev. Robert Leech, that Drumlane Abbey was preserved under Sir John Lubbock’s Ancient Monuments Act (1882).
Captain Nixon
Captain Nixon who lived at a house known as the Lodge, and farmed the ‘rectorial tithes of Drumlane parish’, had an eerie experience which he would never forget. In a time prior to the Abbey’s preservation, Nixon had obtained a fine cut stone from the old church which he thought suitable for use in his kitchen fireplace. The fireplace was just installed at the Lodge when all sorts of unusual sounds began to travel through the house. There was said to have been the sound of ‘cannon balls knocking against each other in the kitchen’, before rolling up the stairs, but no visible traces of these objects were observed. The noises would then begin again on top of the stairs and roll downwards. The Rev. Leech mentions that, ‘old Robert Jones, lately dead, then an active servant and huntsman … was often in the rooms when the noise would commence – often in the kitchen. Though an active and manly fellow, he and all were frightened.’ The story goes that Captain Nixon then had the stone removed and returned to the old church, whereupon the noise ceased and calm was restored at the Lodge.
Disturbances
Furthermore, another neighbour had removed enough stones from Drumlane Abbey so as to erect a stable. The horse was placed in the stable, trouble ensued as the horse almost went mad. The farmer had the shed knocked down and the horse returned to its usual self. Another, a carpenter, discovered a fine length of oak timber lying in the Abbey grounds and had it cut up to make part of a bed. No sooner had the people retired to bed, when noises began, being of a similar nature to those witnessed by Captain Nixon.
The family sat by the kitchen fire until sun-rise. On the following evening, their friends came around to sympathise; noises arose, but nothing visible appeared. Scared by the bad vibes, the carpenter had the bed broken up and thrown in to the round tower at Drumlane. His home returned to normal.
Rev. Leech corroborates the carpenter’s story, explainig that he saw parts of the bed-frame in the round tower, with its mortised holes. Now, the next time that you are in search of peace and contemplation, make a trip to Drumlane Abbey, but beware!
