Drumquin
Encyclopedia
Drumquin is a small village
and townland
in County Tyrone
, Northern Ireland
. It lies between Omagh
and Castlederg
, on the banks of the Drumquin River (Fairywater). It had a population of 1923 people in the 2001 Census
.
stone circle
, a Holy Well, and the Giant's Stone on Dooish Mountain.
Those who are acquainted with the works of the noted Irish writer Benedict Kiely
will be aware of his many references to the Drumquin district, with which he has family connections on his mothers side. In 1802, the countryside around Drumquin was described as one continuous scene of dreary mountains. However, the traveller did point out that forty years before that a rich coalmine had been opened at Drumquin and a canal opened to transport the coal. Drumquin has been in existence since 1211. Sir John Davies founded the village itself in 1617, and the same gentleman built Castle Curlews, later called Castle Kirlish, the remains of which can be seen in the town land of that name. His agent was a man called Bradley, one of whose family was responsible in later times for the building of the fine stone house, which is a feature of the village today. It is interesting to note that Castle Kirlish was joined to Castlederg Castle by a straight causeway, which was seven miles (11 km) long. Traces of this causeway could still be observed in 1837.
Drumquin was also a stageing town in the 19th and early 20th century for coaches and travellers who were making their way to Derry from Omagh and vice versa. As a result of this the village flourished and hosted a hotel and several shops.
Felix Kearney immortalised this area with songs such as "The Hills Above Drumquin" and others.
On 26 August 1920, during the Irish War of Independence
, the Irish Republican Army
(IRA) attacked the Royal Irish Constabulary
(RIC) barracks in Drumquin. One RIC constable and one IRA volunteer were killed.
The village itself is dominated by Dooish Mountain which is the highest point in the area. Close to the village Sloughan Glen Waterfalls can be found these rest in a deep ravine. Beyond the townland of Bradan lies miles of wet bogland that streches to the border with County Fermanagh. In the area of the glen the land rises dramatically before falling again into the Fermanagh countryside. The area in general is also dotted with several quarries the biggest of these lying 2 miles outside of the village itself.
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
and townland
Townland
A townland or bally is a small geographical division of land used in Ireland. The townland system is of Gaelic origin—most townlands are believed to pre-date the Norman invasion and most have names derived from the Irish language...
in County Tyrone
County Tyrone
Historically Tyrone stretched as far north as Lough Foyle, and comprised part of modern day County Londonderry east of the River Foyle. The majority of County Londonderry was carved out of Tyrone between 1610-1620 when that land went to the Guilds of London to set up profit making schemes based on...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. It lies between Omagh
Omagh
Omagh is the county town of County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is situated where the rivers Drumragh and Camowen meet to form the Strule. The town, which is the largest in the county, had a population of 19,910 at the 2001 Census. Omagh also contains the headquarters of Omagh District Council and...
and Castlederg
Castlederg
Castlederg is a village in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It lies on the River Derg and is close to the border with County Donegal. The village has a ruined castle and two ancient tombs known as the Druid's Altar and Todd's Den...
, on the banks of the Drumquin River (Fairywater). It had a population of 1923 people in the 2001 Census
United Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
.
History
It has a rich and varied historical legacy with a NeolithicNeolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
stone circle
Stone circle
A stone circle is a monument of standing stones arranged in a circle. Such monuments have been constructed across the world throughout history for many different reasons....
, a Holy Well, and the Giant's Stone on Dooish Mountain.
Those who are acquainted with the works of the noted Irish writer Benedict Kiely
Benedict Kiely
Benedict "Ben" Kiely was an Irish author and broadcaster from Omagh, County Tyrone, Ireland.-Early life:Benedict Kiely was born in Dromore, County Tyrone to Thomas John and Sara Alice Kiely. He was the youngest of six children, the others were Rita, Gerald, Eileen, Kathleen and Macartan; four of...
will be aware of his many references to the Drumquin district, with which he has family connections on his mothers side. In 1802, the countryside around Drumquin was described as one continuous scene of dreary mountains. However, the traveller did point out that forty years before that a rich coalmine had been opened at Drumquin and a canal opened to transport the coal. Drumquin has been in existence since 1211. Sir John Davies founded the village itself in 1617, and the same gentleman built Castle Curlews, later called Castle Kirlish, the remains of which can be seen in the town land of that name. His agent was a man called Bradley, one of whose family was responsible in later times for the building of the fine stone house, which is a feature of the village today. It is interesting to note that Castle Kirlish was joined to Castlederg Castle by a straight causeway, which was seven miles (11 km) long. Traces of this causeway could still be observed in 1837.
Drumquin was also a stageing town in the 19th and early 20th century for coaches and travellers who were making their way to Derry from Omagh and vice versa. As a result of this the village flourished and hosted a hotel and several shops.
Felix Kearney immortalised this area with songs such as "The Hills Above Drumquin" and others.
On 26 August 1920, during the Irish War of Independence
Irish War of Independence
The Irish War of Independence , Anglo-Irish War, Black and Tan War, or Tan War was a guerrilla war mounted by the Irish Republican Army against the British government and its forces in Ireland. It began in January 1919, following the Irish Republic's declaration of independence. Both sides agreed...
, the Irish Republican Army
Irish Republican Army
The Irish Republican Army was an Irish republican revolutionary military organisation. It was descended from the Irish Volunteers, an organisation established on 25 November 1913 that staged the Easter Rising in April 1916...
(IRA) attacked the Royal Irish Constabulary
Royal Irish Constabulary
The armed Royal Irish Constabulary was Ireland's major police force for most of the nineteenth and the early twentieth centuries. A separate civic police force, the unarmed Dublin Metropolitan Police controlled the capital, and the cities of Derry and Belfast, originally with their own police...
(RIC) barracks in Drumquin. One RIC constable and one IRA volunteer were killed.
Geography
The geography of the area is a mixture of flat fertile lands that clings to the banks of the Fairywater and steep rolling hills. There is also significant forests' to be found to the southwest of the village. Lough Bradan is also located roughly 7 miles from the village. The land is also covered in numerous rivers and streams and two rivers in particular meet on the outskirts of the village to form the river Fairywater.The village itself is dominated by Dooish Mountain which is the highest point in the area. Close to the village Sloughan Glen Waterfalls can be found these rest in a deep ravine. Beyond the townland of Bradan lies miles of wet bogland that streches to the border with County Fermanagh. In the area of the glen the land rises dramatically before falling again into the Fermanagh countryside. The area in general is also dotted with several quarries the biggest of these lying 2 miles outside of the village itself.
Places of Interest
- Lough Bradan is an area of outstanding beauty located roughly 7 miles from the village. The lough is a well known fishing location and is regularly stocked with trout. The lough is open to fishing from the months of may through to September. The area around the lough also has numerous walking trails the longest of these taking you right around the diameter of the lake itself and into wooded areas before joining the main road back to the lough. There are several benches to be found near the lough's edge and these are ideal for pinicking. As the lough is bordered on three sides by forest it is not uncommon to see deer and stags roaming the area.
- Sloughan Glen Waterfalls are located roughly 4 miles from the village. This is a popular tourist location and it is common to see people pinicking throughout the year. The waterfalls themselves lie in a deep ravine and can be accessed by a series of walkways and steps. The layout of the walk is such that the visitor comes across the smaller waterfall first this can be viewed from ground level. The steps can then be taken to view the first waterfall from a high walkway. Upon following this walkway further and climbing several more steps the larger waterfall can be viewed from atop. The best time to view the waterfalls is after heavy rainfall when the waterfalls are at their strongest. There are several picnic areas in the Waterfalls and a sufficient size car park making access good.
- The stone monument on Dooish Mountain was built in late 1990s and can be accessed by a tough mountain walk from either east or west face of mountain. The monument itself is built in a traditional way with no modern tools or equipment and is an interesting place to visit. On top of the mountain itself you will be confronted by spectacular views of the village of drumquin and the surrounding countyside. Being the highest mountain for miles you have an unobstructed view and on a good day can see for miles upon miles in any direction.
Sport
- Drumquin Wolfe TonesDrumquin Wolfe TonesDrumquin Wolfe Tones is a Gaelic Athletic Association club. The club is based in Drumquin, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland.The club concentrates on Gaelic football. In youth competitions, the club combines with Dregish to form Michael Cusacks at all levels between Under 12 and Minor. Drumquin...
is the local Gaelic Athletic AssociationGaelic Athletic AssociationThe Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
club which has been in existence in its traditional form since 1968. Previous clubs have existed in various forms from the early 1930s. Drumquin have also a soccer team, Drumquin United, that has been in operation since 2007.
- Drumquin also plays host to several stages of the World Rally Championship as part of Rally Ireland and has successfully hosted two such races in recent years.
People
- Thomas Buchanan MLA, born in Drumquin, is a Democratic Unionist PartyDemocratic Unionist PartyThe Democratic Unionist Party is the larger of the two main unionist political parties in Northern Ireland. Founded by Ian Paisley and currently led by Peter Robinson, it is currently the largest party in the Northern Ireland Assembly and the fourth-largest party in the House of Commons of the...
MLA for West TyroneWest Tyrone (Assembly constituency)West Tyrone is a constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly.The seat was first used for a Northern Ireland-only election for the Northern Ireland Forum in 1996...
in the Northern Ireland AssemblyNorthern Ireland AssemblyThe Northern Ireland Assembly is the devolved legislature of Northern Ireland. It has power to legislate in a wide range of areas that are not explicitly reserved to the Parliament of the United Kingdom, and to appoint the Northern Ireland Executive...
.