THE TOWNLAND OF DRUMBEECROSS
The townland of Drumbeecross is in the parish of Kildarton in Armagh County.
It is labelled number 7 on the map.
The Environment and Heritage Service Sites and Monuments Record (2002) notes
the following in this townland:
Cropmark enclosure of uncertain period noted on an aerial photograph.
SMR NO: ARM 017:060
GRIDREF: H92804220
CONDITION: SOME REMAINS
“A circular cropmark c.35m in diam. showed up on Aps [aerial photoghraphs].
It is of a ditch, which is wide and continuous NWSW, however the SW-NW arc
is narrow and fragmented. There appears to have been an inside bank. It is
situated at the middle of a ridge-like summit with steep sides, and under
crop. An O.S. spot height is just off the centre of the enclosure. Not visited.
”
Paterson (Armachiana, Vol. 16, p.22 ) notes:
-
Drumbeebeg, Drumbeecross and Drumbeemore. “The ridge of the food or provisions”,
in other words productive ground. Drum (Druim) is one of the most common names
and figures as a prefix to about 2,400 places besides an equal number in which
it is combined. Bee (bia) means food or provisions and the terminations of the
three townlands signify little (beg), cross, probably an ancient track or crossing,
and big (or more) meaning the larger. Such terminations are frequent in the
county — fore instance Annaghmore, the great moor or marsh; Ballymore, the
great town; Ballynahonebeg, the little town of the river; Ballynahonemore, the
great town of the river, etc..
PRONI records: VAL/1B/213 (1st Valuation Records); D.943/2 (Graham estate.);
OS/6/2/17/1 (Surveyed 1835. Engraved 1835.); OS/6/2/17/2 (Surveyed 1835. Engraved
1835. Revised 1860. Engraved 1863.); OS/6/2/17/3 (Surveyed 1835. Revised 1906.
Published 1908. Reprinted 1929, 1932.); OS/6/2/17/4 (Surveyed 1906. Revised
1954-5. Levelled 1889, 1892 and 1906. Published 1958 (2 copies).); VAL/12B/10/24A,
VAL/12B/10/24B, VAL/12B/10/24C, VAL/12B/10/24D (Valuation annual revision list.);
VAL/2B/2/12B (Griffith valuation list.).
H929423
In the accompanying audio recording, Frank McWhirter of Drumbeecross talks about his family (10mins 59s).
Use the audio controller to listen to this talk, given in 2013.
In the accompanying audio recording, Frank McWhirter talks more about life and work in the area (13mins 31s).
Use the audio controller to listen to this talk, given in 2013.
In the accompanying recording, Linda McMahon talks about growing up in the townland of Drumbeecross on the family farm and moving to Markethill.
Use the audio controller to listen to this talk, given in 2013.