Drumlaydan is bounded on the north by Culliagh and Cronery townlands, on the west by Sradrinan townland in County Leitrim, on the south by Sraloaghan townland in County Leitrim and on the east by Bellaleenan and Torrewa townlands. Its chief geographical features are the River Blackwater, County Cavan, a stream, a mill-race, forestry plantations, a quarry and a spring well. Drumlaydan is traversed by minor roads and rural lanes. The townland covers 125 statute acres.
History
The 1652 Commonwealth Survey lists the townland as Dromledane and the proprietor as Lieutenant-Colonel Tristram Beresford. In the Hearth Money Rolls compiled on 29 September 1663 there was one taxpayer in the townland- Feragh McGowan of Dromledan. The 1790 Cavan Carvaghs list spells the name as Dromledan. Lowther Kirkwood of Mullinagrave, parish of Templeport, Co. Cavan, gentleman made the following will- The Tithe Applotment Books for 1827 list six tithepayers in the townland. The 1836 Ordnance Survey Namebooks state- It is bounded on the south and west sides by a large stream in the bed of which limestone can be procured. The Drumlaydan Valuation Office Field books are available for 1839-1840. In 1841 the population of the townland was 39, being 21 males and 18 females. There were six houses in the townland, all of which were inhabited. In 1851 the population of the townland was 3, being 2 males and 1 female, the reduction being due to the Great Famine. There was one house in the townland, it was inhabited. Griffith's Valuation of 1857 lists two landholders in the townland. On 6 July 1857 the Incumbered Estates Commission published the following notice-
In the Matter of the Estate of James Brien, Geo. Brien, Edward Brien and Francis Brien, Owners. Exparte by Isabella Crummer, Petitioner. The commissioners having ordered a Sale of the Lands of Shanadaragh and Curnagunlogh, Cullegh, Drumlohgher, Drumledin, Sananaragh, and Drumledin and Corlough, situate in the Barony of Tullyhaw, and County of Cavan, held under lease dated 10 April 1718, from the Bishop Raphoe, for lives renewable for ever, and which Lands are included in the denominations of Ballymagord, Owngally, Gortneglough, Drumedin or Ballylennin, in said lease mentioned:
In 1861 the population of the townland was 14, being 8 males and 6 females. There were two houses in the townland and both were inhabited.
Drumlaydan National School, Roll No. 11,323. In 1886 there was one male teacher, a Roman Catholic. There were 154 pupils, 89 boys and 65 girls. In 1890 there were 154 pupils.
