Drumquin

Drumquin
Tyrone
Location
Grid reference:	H329743
Location:	54°36’58"N, 7°29’26"W
Data
Population:	291  (2001)
Post town:	Omagh
Postcode:	BT78
Dialling code:	028
Local Government
Council:	Fermanagh and Omagh
Parliamentary constituency:	West Tyrone

Drumquin is a small village and townland (of 398 acres) in Tyrone. It stands between Omagh and Castlederg, on the banks of the Drumquin River, known here as the Fairywater. It had a population of 291 people in the 2001 Census.

The name of the village is believed to be from the Gaelic Droim Caoin, meaning 'Pleasant ridge'. It is in the Barony of Omagh West.

History

It has a rich and varied historical legacy with a Neolithic stone circle, a Holy Well, and the Giant's Stone on Dooish Mountain.

The works of the noted Irish writer Benedict Kiely contain many references to the Drumquin district, with which he had family connections on his mother's side. In 1802, the countryside around Drumquin was described as one continuous scene of dreary mountains. However, the traveler did point out that forty years before that a rich coalmine had been opened at Drumquin and a canal opened to transport the coal. Drum quin 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. 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 staging 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 attacked the Royal Irish Constabulary barracks in Drumquin. One police constable and one IRA terrorist were killed.

Geography

Bell tower at St Patrick's Church, Drumquin

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 are also forests 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 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 stretch 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 two miles outside of the village itself.

Places of interest

• Lough Bradan is located roughly seven miles from the village, and is used as a fishing location and regularly stocked with trout. The area around the lough also has a number of walking trails.
• Sloughan Glen Waterfalls are roughly four miles from the village. The waterfalls tumble through in a deep ravine and can be accessed by a series of walkways and steps.
• The stone monument on Dooish Mountain was built in order to mark the turn of the Millennium, and construction started on 14 September 1999 and was completed on 4 May 2000. The monument itself was built using traditional methods, with no modern tools or equipment used. It is accessed via a mountain walk from either east or west face of the mountain. From the top of the mountain itself there are views of the village of Drumquin and the surrounding countryside.

Sport

• Football: Drumquin United
• Gaelic sprts: Drumquin Wolfe Tones

Drumquin 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.

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Drumquin)