Drumcree

Church, cemetery and country house history shape the character of Drumcree. The buildings tell stories of religious life, the Smyth family and the agricultural functions of an estate. If you are looking for a hotel, this historical character is a useful starting point for planning your stay.

Churches and Historic Houses

The detached Saint John's Church (Kilcumny) is a Church of Ireland church that was rebuilt around 1811. It is regarded as a prominent landmark in the area and recalls the once-thriving Church of Ireland community in North Westmeath. Its artistically significant features include stained glass, interior plasterwork and dressed stone details. A 2004 survey describes the building as a private residence.

The history of Glananea House is also linked to the person who commissioned it: the house was built to designs by Samuel Woolley for Ralph Smyth and was originally known as “Ralphsdale.” It is a Neoclassical country house with two storeys over a basement and six bays, built around 1795. The associated gate lodge dates from around 1850 and displays Gothic Revival features, including ornamental bargeboards and limestone ashlar details. The gate lodge is unoccupied.

Glebe House was a Church of Ireland rectory built around 1811. It lies southeast of Drumcree in extensive, mature grounds. Together with the former Church of Ireland church in Drumcree, it forms a historic architectural ensemble. The house is a private residence.

Estate, Cemetery and Local History

A barrel-vaulted service tunnel at Drumcree House was built around 1800. It connected the main house to the farmyard to the northwest, illustrating the architectural link between the residential and agricultural areas. The outbuildings at Drumcree House offer insight into the agricultural activities of a 19th-century estate. A cast-iron water pump is also located at Drumcree House: an early surviving example of industrially manufactured cast-iron goods. It is no longer in use.

The disused cemetery at Kilcumny lies within an early medieval monastic site. The church there dates from before 1700; both the church and the monastic site are of archaeological significance. Family vaults and Smyth family gravestones connect the cemetery with the estates of Glananea and Drumcree. Archaeological traces and family history therefore come together at this site.

If you plan to visit a specific site, check access in advance. In addition to the private residence described as Saint John's Church in the 2004 survey, Glebe House is a private residence; the gate lodge at Glananea House is unoccupied. The cemetery is also disused, and the pump is no longer in use.

Getting There and More to Explore in County Westmeath

The regional road R395 runs through Drumcree between Delvin, Castlepollard and Edgeworthstown. It provides a guide for planning your drive; check current traffic information for specific journeys.

For broader travel planning, County Westmeath has more than 100 kilometres of walking and cycling trails. One specific route is the 40-kilometre Old Rail Trail from Athlone to Mullingar, which follows a converted section of the Midlands Great Western Railway. The Royal Canal offers a different perspective: it is fully navigable through County Westmeath and passes near Mullingar on its way to the River Shannon. Check the current navigation status before taking a boat trip. This lets you shape your regional plans around walking and cycling trails or a water route, while Drumcree itself is primarily defined by its architecture and local history.

Discover More Destinations

Castletown Geoghegan, Ballydavid, Kinnegad, Castlepollard, Rathowen, Athlone, Multyfarnham, Glasson

For the broader travel overview: County Westmeath.