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.