Burial

The National Monuments Service's description

The remains were found in the field in which the abbey is situated, approximately 180m south of the church and round tower of Drumlane. The following is recorded by Cahill and Sikora (2011, ii, 305-6): ‘In late December 1970 human remains were discovered during bulldozing operations near the ecclesiastical site of Drumlane, Co. Cavan. The site was on an out-farm of a landowner, living some 5km away, who was levelling parts of the monastic site for reclamation purposes. During this work a row of human skulls had come to light, and operations were suspended. Some of the human remains were removed for examination by a local doctor and the remainder were left in situ. The site was reported to the Garda Síochána, who informed the NMI. An investigation was carried out by Michael Ryan on 1 January 1971, but the site was not excavated. . . . In the absence of any associated finds or other evidence it is not possible to suggest a date for these burials. Although they were found close to a monastic site and later abbey, there is insufficient evidence to associate them with either of these phases of use at the site. The likelihood remains, however, that there is a connection to the church. The human remains were not retained.’

Compiled by: Paul Walsh

Date of upload: 20 January 2015

References

Cahill, M. and Sikora, M. (eds) 2011 Breaking ground, finding graves - reports on the excavations of burials by the National Museum of Ireland, 1927-2006, 2 vols. Dublin. Wordwell Ltd. in association with the National Museum of Ireland.