In medieval times Drumbrughas was owned by the McGovern Clan and formed part of a ballybetagh spelled (variously) Aghycloony, Aghcloone, Nacloone, Naclone and Noclone (Irish derived place name
Áth Chluain, meaning the ‘Ford of the Meadow’). The 1609 Baronial Map depicts the ballybetagh as
Naclone. On 12 November 1590 Queen
Elizabeth I of England granted a pardon (No. 5489) to ''Gerald m'Shane O'Reighlie, of Drumbrughus, husbandman'' for fighting against the Queen's forces, but it is unclear whether this refers to Drubrughas, Kinawley or Drumbrughas in
Drumlane parish. In the
Plantation of Ulster by grant dated 26 June 1615, King
James VI and I granted, inter alia,
The precinct or parcel of Nacloone otherwise Aghcloone to Sir George Graeme and Sir Richard Graeme to form part of the Manor of Greame. An Inquisition held at Cavan Town on 31 October 1627 found that
Sir Richard Greames of Corrasmongan died on 7 November 1625 seized of, inter alia, one poll in Drombochus. His son and heir Thomas Greames was aged 40 (born 1585) and married. A history of Richard and George Graham is viewable online. The Grahams took part in the
Irish Rebellion of 1641 and after the war their lands were confiscated under the
Act for the Settlement of Ireland 1652. The 1652 Commonwealth Survey spells the townland as
Drombrughus with the proprietor being
Mr Thomas Worshipp and the tenant being
Edmond Magwire & others. A deed dated 9 December 1710 From Ralph Darling and Adam Darling (the sons of Richard Darling, one of the founders of
Swanlinbar town) assigned, inter alia, their half share in
Drumbrochos to Peter Ward, a merchant of Dublin. By deed dated 9 April 1711 the aforesaid Peter Ward assigned his interest under above deed of 9 December 1710 to
Morley Saunders. The 1790 Cavan Carvagh list spells the name as
Drumbruhlis. The 1821 Census of Ireland spells the name as
Drumbolus and Drumbohis and Drumbolis and states-
Said townland containing 125 acres of arable ground & pasture. The 1825 Tithe Applotment Books spell the name as
Drumbrochus. The Drumbrughas Valuation Office Field books are available for 1838-1840.
Griffith's Valuation lists sixteen landholders in the townland. The landlord of Drumbrughas in the 1850s was the Gresson Estate. Folklore about Drumbrughas is found in the 1938 Dúchas collection. ==Census==