Drumcar
Encyclopedia
Drumcar is a small village and a historical parish, in the barony of Ardee
, County Louth
, Leinster
, northeastern Ireland
.
, on the River Glyde
, and near the high road from Dublin to Belfast
. It comprises, according to the Ordnance survey, 4041 ½ statute acres, of which, 3712 are applotted under the tithe act, and 18 ½ are in the River Glyde. Nearby are Kilsaran, Dillonstown Cross, Keenanʼs Cross, Annagassan, Baile an Ghearlánaigh, Castlebellingham, Clonmore, Stabannan, Dromin , Grangebellew, Civil Hollow, Lurgan, Martinʼs Cross, Salterstown, Mooretown, Milltown, Dromiskin, and Togher. The River Drumcar is formed from two streams that merge at a bridge.
The Patron Saint of Drumcar was Saint Fintan
(d. 603) who founded a monastery in the village. Tradition places it 840 feet (256 m) west of the old church. It was named Raire na bratar. There was reportedly an abbey
located in Drumcar as far back as 811. The Patron Day is celebrated in Drumcar on July 29.
The parish church history is that of the Diocese of Armagh
. The vicarage formed part of the union of Dunleer
. The Protestant parishioners attended the church at Dunleer, but religious service was also performed every Sunday evening by the curate in the school room at Drumcar. The rectory was under the jurisdiction of the Lord-Primate. Advowson
s were granted to Peter Pipard in 1187. Between ca.1200 and 1220, Ralph de Repenteny granted the tithes, mills, fisheries and lands of the Church of St. Fintan, Drumcar, to the Abbot and Convent of St. Mary's Church, Dublin
. From 1582, the rectory, parsonage, church and chapel were granted to Lord Ormond. They passed to Sir John Bath in 1630-1. William DiUon was impropriator in 1633. The tithes were rented by Henry Usher in 1656. There was an endowment for a clergyman to be appointed by the lord of the town. A payment of £50 per annum to the perpetual curate of Moylary was a provision of a testator's will as of 1837. The tithes amounted to £343, of which £292 was payable to the lord-primate and £51 to the vicar. The glebe
comprised 11 acres. A churchyard was used as a burial-ground; it contains the featureless ruins of the previous church.
In the Roman Catholic church, the parish forms part of the union or district of Dysart
. Historically, it did not have a regular chapel, but a house was given to the priest, in which he officiated.
Drumcar contained 1634 inhabitants as of 1837.
was built in 1845 by John McClintock, 1st Baron Rathdonnell
. It cost £1,550, of which the Ecclesiastical
Commissioners contributed £160. It was consecrated May 15, 1845, by the Bishop of Meath
. The architectural style follows the High Anglicanism design of John Henry Newman's Littlemore
church. Its features include a small four-bay lancet hall, buttress
es, a bellcote over the west gable
, a south porch, and limestone
[dressings. In 1868, the choir section was extended and the chancel, with a triple-light east window, was added by Slater & Carpenter. The lychgate
is from 1895 while a 1924 stained glass
east window is of the Ascension by F. Clarke & Sons. The octagonal McClintock mausoleum
is located opposite the church's north door. Built in 1868 by Slater & Carpenter, it is of Protestant High Victorian architecture style
.
Drumcar House
, the seat of John McClintock
, Esq., MP, was an elegant mansion. Built in 1777, it is situated in an extensive and richly wooded demesne, commanding a view of the Carlingford
and Mourne
mountains and the sea. In 1948, it was sold and became St. Mary's Hospital, a colony for the mentally ill. It was later converted to Saint John of God Residence, a rectory, hospital/infirmary. The Old Rectory stands on 2.5 hectares, and was up for auction in 2000.
In present day, students are served by St Mary's Special School, and St. Finian's National School.
Ardee
Ardee is a town and townland in County Louth, Ireland. It is located at the intersection of the N2, N52, and N33 roads. Ardee is on the banks of the River Dee and is approximately 20 km from Dundalk, Drogheda, Slane and Carrickmacross...
, County Louth
County Louth
County Louth is a county of Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Louth. Louth County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Leinster
Leinster
Leinster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the east of Ireland. It comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Mide, Osraige and Leinster. Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the historic fifths of Leinster and Mide gradually merged, mainly due to the impact of the Pale, which straddled...
, northeastern Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
Geography
Drumcar is 1 ½ miles (N. by E.) from DunleerDunleer
Dunleer is a town and townland in County Louth, Ireland.Dunleer town is situated midway between Dundalk and Drogheda. It is the principal Town Borough in the Barony of Ferrard. It has a Charter dating back to 1252...
, on the River Glyde
River Glyde
The River Glyde rises in the town of Bailieborough in Cavan. Some smaller tributaries of the Glyde are the River Dee and the Killanny Rivers which contain stocks of sea trout and salmon. The Glyde flows in a south-easterly direction before entering the sea at Annagassan in Louth, site of the...
, and near the high road from Dublin to Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
. It comprises, according to the Ordnance survey, 4041 ½ statute acres, of which, 3712 are applotted under the tithe act, and 18 ½ are in the River Glyde. Nearby are Kilsaran, Dillonstown Cross, Keenanʼs Cross, Annagassan, Baile an Ghearlánaigh, Castlebellingham, Clonmore, Stabannan, Dromin , Grangebellew, Civil Hollow, Lurgan, Martinʼs Cross, Salterstown, Mooretown, Milltown, Dromiskin, and Togher. The River Drumcar is formed from two streams that merge at a bridge.
History
Early records that mention Drumcar are noted in the Annals of Ulster, 431 to 1540, that Cellach, son of Muirghis, who was Abbot of Druin-cara, was slain by Gertide, son of Tuathal.The Patron Saint of Drumcar was Saint Fintan
Saint Fintan
Saint Fintan was born in Leinster. He received his religious formation in Terryglass, Co. Tipperary under the abbot Colum mac Crimthainn, and was deeply influenced by his penitential practices and the severity of the Rule. Fintan made his own foundation in Clonenagh, Co. Laois. He died in 603. His...
(d. 603) who founded a monastery in the village. Tradition places it 840 feet (256 m) west of the old church. It was named Raire na bratar. There was reportedly an abbey
Abbey
An abbey is a Catholic monastery or convent, under the authority of an Abbot or an Abbess, who serves as the spiritual father or mother of the community.The term can also refer to an establishment which has long ceased to function as an abbey,...
located in Drumcar as far back as 811. The Patron Day is celebrated in Drumcar on July 29.
The parish church history is that of the Diocese of Armagh
Diocese of Armagh (Church of Ireland)
The Diocese of Armagh is the Metropolitan head of the Ecclesiastical province of Armagh. The province is one of two such provinces of the Church of Ireland in the island of Ireland...
. The vicarage formed part of the union of Dunleer
Dunleer
Dunleer is a town and townland in County Louth, Ireland.Dunleer town is situated midway between Dundalk and Drogheda. It is the principal Town Borough in the Barony of Ferrard. It has a Charter dating back to 1252...
. The Protestant parishioners attended the church at Dunleer, but religious service was also performed every Sunday evening by the curate in the school room at Drumcar. The rectory was under the jurisdiction of the Lord-Primate. Advowson
Advowson
Advowson is the right in English law of a patron to present or appoint a nominee to a vacant ecclesiastical benefice or church living, a process known as presentation. In effect this means the right to nominate a person to hold a church office in a parish...
s were granted to Peter Pipard in 1187. Between ca.1200 and 1220, Ralph de Repenteny granted the tithes, mills, fisheries and lands of the Church of St. Fintan, Drumcar, to the Abbot and Convent of St. Mary's Church, Dublin
St. Mary's Church, Dublin
St. Mary's Church, Dublin is a former Church of Ireland building in Mary Street, Dublin.-The Church:Dating from the 17th century, the building was designed by Sir William Robinson, and is notable as the first Dublin church to be built with galleries....
. From 1582, the rectory, parsonage, church and chapel were granted to Lord Ormond. They passed to Sir John Bath in 1630-1. William DiUon was impropriator in 1633. The tithes were rented by Henry Usher in 1656. There was an endowment for a clergyman to be appointed by the lord of the town. A payment of £50 per annum to the perpetual curate of Moylary was a provision of a testator's will as of 1837. The tithes amounted to £343, of which £292 was payable to the lord-primate and £51 to the vicar. The glebe
Glebe
Glebe Glebe Glebe (also known as Church furlong or parson's closes is an area of land within a manor and parish used to support a parish priest.-Medieval origins:...
comprised 11 acres. A churchyard was used as a burial-ground; it contains the featureless ruins of the previous church.
In the Roman Catholic church, the parish forms part of the union or district of Dysart
Dysart
Dysart is a former town and royal burgh located on the south-east coast between Kirkcaldy and West Wemyss in Fife. The town is now considered to be a suburb of Kirkcaldy. Dysart was once part of a wider estate owned by the St Clair or Sinclair family...
. Historically, it did not have a regular chapel, but a house was given to the priest, in which he officiated.
Drumcar contained 1634 inhabitants as of 1837.
Notable buildings
In Louth, dedications to Irish saints were common, such as Ultan at Killany, Edan at Clonken, and Fintan at Drumcar. St. Fintans's, the Drumcar parish church, under the Church of IrelandChurch of Ireland
The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...
was built in 1845 by John McClintock, 1st Baron Rathdonnell
John McClintock, 1st Baron Rathdonnell
John McClintock, 1st Baron Rathdonnell , was an Irish peer and Conservative Member of Parliament.-Biography:McClintock was appointed High Sheriff of Louth in 1840 and elected Member of Parliament for County Louth in 1857, a seat he held until 1859. He later served as Lord Lieutenant of County Louth...
. It cost £1,550, of which the Ecclesiastical
Commissioners contributed £160. It was consecrated May 15, 1845, by the Bishop of Meath
Bishop of Meath
The Bishop of Meath is an episcopal title which takes its name after the ancient Kingdom of Meath. In the Roman Catholic Church it remains as a separate title, but in the Church of Ireland it has been united with another bishopric.-History:...
. The architectural style follows the High Anglicanism design of John Henry Newman's Littlemore
Littlemore
Littlemore is a district of Oxford, England. It has a parish council that also represents parts of Rose Hill. It is about southeast of the city centre of Oxford, between Rose Hill, Blackbird Leys, Cowley, and Sandford-on-Thames.-History:...
church. Its features include a small four-bay lancet hall, buttress
Buttress
A buttress is an architectural structure built against or projecting from a wall which serves to support or reinforce the wall...
es, a bellcote over the west gable
Gable
A gable is the generally triangular portion of a wall between the edges of a sloping roof. The shape of the gable and how it is detailed depends on the structural system being used and aesthetic concerns. Thus the type of roof enclosing the volume dictates the shape of the gable...
, a south porch, and limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
[dressings. In 1868, the choir section was extended and the chancel, with a triple-light east window, was added by Slater & Carpenter. The lychgate
Lychgate
A lychgate, also spelled lichgate, lycugate, or as two separate words lych gate, is a gateway covered with a roof found at the entrance to a traditional English or English-style churchyard.-Name:...
is from 1895 while a 1924 stained glass
Stained glass
The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material or to works produced from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings...
east window is of the Ascension by F. Clarke & Sons. The octagonal McClintock mausoleum
Mausoleum
A mausoleum is an external free-standing building constructed as a monument enclosing the interment space or burial chamber of a deceased person or persons. A monument without the interment is a cenotaph. A mausoleum may be considered a type of tomb or the tomb may be considered to be within the...
is located opposite the church's north door. Built in 1868 by Slater & Carpenter, it is of Protestant High Victorian architecture style
Gothic Revival architecture
The Gothic Revival is an architectural movement that began in the 1740s in England...
.
Drumcar House
Drumcar House
Drumcar House is a manor house in the historical parish of Drumcar in the barony of Ardee, northeast of Dunleer, County Louth, Leinster, Ireland. The house was built in 1777. It was home to the M'Clintock family from then to the 1940s, stemming from Alexander M'Clintock , formerly of...
, the seat of John McClintock
John McClintock (MP)
John McClintock was an Irish magistrate for County Louth, and formerly Serjeant at Arms in the Irish House of Commons.-Early years:...
, Esq., MP, was an elegant mansion. Built in 1777, it is situated in an extensive and richly wooded demesne, commanding a view of the Carlingford
Carlingford
Carlingford may refer to:*Carlingford, County Louth, a medieval village in the Republic of Ireland* Carlingford Lough, the sea loch where the village is located* Carlingford, New South Wales, a suburb in north-west Sydney, Australia...
and Mourne
Mourne
-Places:*Mourne Abbey, a small parish just south of Mallow, County Cork, Ireland*Mourne , a barony in County Down, Northern Ireland*Mourne Mountains, a granite mountain range located in County Down in the south-east of Northern Ireland...
mountains and the sea. In 1948, it was sold and became St. Mary's Hospital, a colony for the mentally ill. It was later converted to Saint John of God Residence, a rectory, hospital/infirmary. The Old Rectory stands on 2.5 hectares, and was up for auction in 2000.
Education
A school was supported by Mr. and Lady McClintock who paid a master for teaching more than 100 children, and other expenses, amounting to £50 per annum as of 1837. A school was also supported by Mr. Thompson in which 40 children were instructed.In present day, students are served by St Mary's Special School, and St. Finian's National School.