Drumcliffe Church
The important early medieval monastery of Drumcliffe, now divided in two by the busy main road, is thought to have been founded in around AD 574 by St Colmcille (also known as Columba). The ‘modern’ church that stands on the site today is named St Columba’s Church, and it was finely constructed by the Board of First Fruits in 1809, in the Neo-Gothic style. Though Drumcliffe Church and its graveyard continue to be an important place for worship and burial to this day, the churchyard encompasses many clues that indicate the long history and significance of the site, with the remains of an early monastery with a round tower and high crosses.
Drumcliffe Church isn’t far from the site of the Battle of Cúl Dreimhne, in which Colmcille is famously said to have played an instigating role. The conflict is often described as the oldest copyright judgement in history, and it would eventually led to the exile of Colmcille. According to the tale, when Colmcille visited Finnian of Moville, he secretly copied Finnian’s rare and beautiful psalter, a book of psalms. Finnian was outraged when he discovered this, and claimed the copy for himself. Colmcille brought the matter before Díarmait Mac Cerbaill, the High King at Tara, but the High King sided with Finnian, and proclaimed the famous judgement: ‘to every cow its calf, to every book its copy’.
To make matters worse, a son of the King of Connacht who was a hostage at Tara, was executed on Díarmait’s orders after he had accidentally killed someone while playing hurling, despite the young prince being under Colmcille’s protection. Colmcille was furious with King Díarmait, and swore to avenge both the prince and what he saw as an unjust verdict. He returned home to his powerful family, the Cenél Conaill, who rose up in anger at the insults done to their most illustrious son. They joined forces with with the neighbouring Cenél nEógain and with the Kingdom of Connacht, who sought revenge for their murdered prince. This powerful confederation met with the army of the High King at the Battle of Cúl Dreimne, believed to be near modern day Drumcliffe, under the shadow of Ben Bulben. The battle ended in victory for the Cenél Conaill and their allies, though it was a costly and bloody affair. The Annals of Ulster recorded that 3,000 warriors were killed. According to Colmcille’s biographer, Adomnán, in 561 AD, a year after the battle, Colmcille was excommunicated at a synod at Teltown in Meath for his role in causing the conflict, though Adomnán goes on to say that this verdict was soon revoked. Other later sources suggest Colmcille felt great personal guilt at the loss of life. Whatever the case may be, in 562 AD, two years after Cúl Dreimne, Colmcille boarded a boat at Derry as he left Ireland in exile. He sailed for Scotland, Iona and everlasting fame.
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The important early medieval monastery of Drumcliffe, now divided in two by the busy main road, is thought to have been founded in around AD 574 by St Colmcille (also known as Columba). The ‘modern’ church that stands on the site today is named St Columba’s Church, and it was finely constructed by the Board of First Fruits in 1809, in the Neo-Gothic style. Though Drumcliffe Church and its graveyard continue to be an important place for worship and burial to this day, the churchyard encompasses many clues that indicate the long history and significance of the site, with the remains of an early monastery with a round tower and high crosses.
Drumcliffe Church isn’t far from the site of the Battle of Cúl Dreimhne, in which Colmcille is famously said to have played an instigating role. The conflict is often described as the oldest copyright judgement in history, and it would eventually led to the exile of Colmcille. According to the tale, when Colmcille visited Finnian of Moville, he secretly copied Finnian’s rare and beautiful psalter, a book of psalms. Finnian was outraged when he discovered this, and claimed the copy for himself. Colmcille brought the matter before Díarmait Mac Cerbaill, the High King at Tara, but the High King sided with Finnian, and proclaimed the famous judgement: ‘to every cow its calf, to every book its copy’.
To make matters worse, a son of the King of Connacht who was a hostage at Tara, was executed on Díarmait’s orders after he had accidentally killed someone while playing hurling. This was despite the young prince being under Colmcille’s protection. Colmcille was furious with King Díarmait, and swore to avenge both the prince and what he saw as an unjust verdict. He returned home to his powerful family, the Cenél Conaill, who rose up in anger at the insults done to their most illustrious son. They joined forces with with the neighbouring Cenél nEógain and with the Kingdom of Connacht, who sought revenge for their murdered prince. This powerful confederation met with the army of the High King at the Battle of Cúl Dreimne, believed to be near modern day Drumcliffe, under the shadow of Ben Bulben. The battle ended in victory for the Cenél Conaill and their allies, though it was a costly and bloody affair. The Annals of Ulster recorded that 3,000 warriors were killed. According to Colmcille’s biographer, Adomnán, in 561 AD, a year after the battle, Colmcille was excommunicated at a synod at Teltown in Meath for his role in causing the conflict, though Adomnán goes on to say that this verdict was soon revoked. Other later sources suggest Colmcille felt great personal guilt at the loss of life. Whatever the case may be, in 562 AD, two years after Cúl Dreimne, Colmcille boarded a boat at Derry as he left Ireland in exile. He sailed for Scotland, Iona and everlasting fame.
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Drumcliffe • Sligo
Drumcliffe High Crosses


The West Face of the High Cross.
Tap the image to see a description of the panels
Drumcliffe’s fine sandstone high cross was erected in c.AD 1000. Like the majority of Ireland’s high crosses, it is decorated with biblical scenes, with some of the key stories from the Old and New Testaments recognisable along the shaft. The east face depicts Christ in Glory with the Apostles at the head of the cross. Below this are representations from the Old Testament, with Daniel in the Lions’ Den, then Cain killing Abel above a rather charming lion that looks ready to pounce. Adam and Eve are also depicted being tempted by the serpent in the Garden of Eden, with the serpent carved sinuously coiled around the apple tree.
The west face depicts the Crucifixion at the centre of the head of the cross, below which are scenes from the New Testament, with two unknown figures, then a depiction of Christ being mocked by his captors. A rather strange camel, which some believe to be a Bactrian camel, perhaps evidence of north Asian influence, is also discernible. The camel stands above a scene that shows the naming of John the Baptist.
The bottom of both the east and west face shafts are intricately carved with a delicate interlaced design. The sides of the cross continue some of the interlacing, along with strange and somewhat whimsical creatures. A plain shaft of another cross is also incorporated into the churchyard wall. Eagle-eyed visitors may also spot evidence of another high cross inside the church. In the northern wall of the interior porch area you can see a piece of the shaft of a high cross with interlace design, beside the gravestone to Elizabeth Soden. A second fragment is set into the west wall of the nave next to the west door. These pieces were presumably discovered broken on site, and were incorporated by the builders of the Church of Ireland church in the early 19th century.


The West Face of the High Cross.
Hover over the image to see a description of the panels
Drumcliffe Round Tower

The remains of the round tower • Drumcliffe
Only approximately a third of the round tower at Drumcliffe still survives. It is likely to date to some time around the 10th–11th century. According to historical records, the tower was struck by lightning in 1396, and that may have caused some of the damage. Though, by its roughly level appearance, it may have been partially demolished (or at least reduced to make it safe) in the 19th century. The tower is built from limestone boulders, roughly coursed and interspersed with undressed field stones. The masonry work appears to be of a lower quality than other round towers – such as the fine examples at Glendalough or Ardmore – and this may be a possible reason as to why little remains of the tower today.

The remains of the round tower • Drumcliffe
Drumcliffe Round Tower
Only approximately a third of the round tower at Drumcliffe still survives. It is likely to date to some time around the 10th–11th century. According to historical records, the tower was struck by lightning in 1396, and that may have caused some of the damage. Though, by its roughly level appearance, it may have been partially demolished (or at least reduced to make it safe) in the 19th century. The tower is built from limestone boulders, roughly coursed and interspersed with undressed field stones. The masonry work appears to be of a lower quality than other round towers – such as the fine examples at Glendalough or Ardmore – and this may be a possible reason as to why little remains of the tower today.
WB Yeats Gravestone at Drumcliffe Church

The gravestone of WB Yeats • Drumcliffe
The churchyard at Drumcliffe has the honour of being the final resting place of William Butler Yeats (1865–1939). WB Yeats had a truly prolific career as a writer of the highest distinction. He played a leading role, alongside his patron Lady Augusta Gregory, in the Irish Literary Revival, who together founded the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. He was awarded the 1923 Nobel Prize in Literature, and later served two terms as a Senator of the Irish Free State.
Yeats died in Menton, France, on 28th January 1939. He was buried after a discreet and private funeral in France, as his final request was: ‘If I die bury me up there at Roquebrune, and then in a year’s time when the newspapers have forgotten me, dig me up and plant me in Sligo.’ His wish was eventually granted and in September 1948, his remains were reburied here at Drumcliff. The words of his epitaph are taken from the last lines of ‘Under Ben Bulben’, one of his final poems: ‘Cast a cold eye on life, On death. Horseman, pass by!’
You can hear a recording of the graveside eulogy by Mayor of Sligo, Michael Rooney, as they reinterred the famous writer at Drumcliffe in 1948, in the RTÉ Archive:
‘On behalf of the people of Sligo, I pay this sincere tribute to the memory of one, whose genius was inspired by the lakes and mountains of our countryside. And, whose poetry has given the name of Sligo a place in the literature of the world… Today we have fulfilled the expressed desires of WB Yeats, that he might rest in the shelter of Ben Bulben…’
Yeats’ grave is well visited to this day. Drumcliffe Church has become a popular stop for tourists and lovers of literature, alongside serving its local community as a vibrant place of worship. As well as the church and its historic graveyard, visitors can also visit the Teach Bán Art gallery, a creative hub featuring a diverse range of Irish arts and crafts, including jewellery, original art and prints, photography and more. You can also enjoy a restorative cup of tea after all that history in The Pink Clover Café on site.
Drumcliffe features on our Sligo and Lough Gill Itinerary, that helps you to explore the monumental landscapes of Sligo and Leitrim to discover megalithic cemeteries, legendary mountains, monastic marvels, and hidden waterfalls. Available for Tuatha Members here.

The gravestone of WB Yeats • Drumcliffe
Upper left: the interior of the church • Lower left: a fragment of an early high cross inside the church • Right: Drumcliffe Church
Top: the interior of the church • Middle: Drumcliffe Church • Bottom: a fragment of an early high cross inside the church