Established in 2011, Drumcliffe and Rathcormac Tidy Towns Committee is a voluntary group of local people working together to create a more attractive, sustainable, and inviting community where residents enjoy a better quality of life and visitors are warmly welcome.

In addition to maintaining and enhancing the physical appearance of the local area, we also regularly deliver educational, environmental, and social/ cultural projects and initiatives such as guided biodiversity walks, commemorative events, and heritage talks. Our work is supported by local contributions and grant aid.

St. Columba’s (Drumcliffe) Church

Built in 1809, St. Columba’s Church stands on the site of the monastery founded in 575CE reputedly by St. Colmcille (Columba) in atonement for the Battle of the Books which…

The Round Tower

The stumped remains of an 11th century round tower, rising to a height of only nine metres, stands to the west of Drumcliffe Church, and the High Cross. The only…

Drumcliffe High Cross

In ancient times, Drumcliffe was referred to as Druim Cliabh na gcros, or Drumcliff of the crosses, due to the number of high crosses found there. While most were probably…

Drumcliffe Monastery

The monastery at Drumcliffe was in existence for almost a thousand years, from 575CE until the end of the 16th century. For most of this time, up until its dissolution,…

The Battle of Cúl Dreimhne (Cooldrumman)

Located a short distance to the north of Drumcliffe, at the base of Benbulben in Cúl Dreimhne (Cooldrumman) townlands, is the reputed site of the Battle of Cúl Dreimhne (Cooldrumman), more…

Rathcormac Fort

Situated on a ridgeline overlooking Rathcormac, on privately-owned farmland, is the large ráth, or ringfort, from which the village takes its name. Local folklore links this ráth to Cormac, a…

Possible Boulder Burial Stones, Kintogher

In 2008, Archaeologist Faith Bailey identified four possible boulder burial stones were identified on a north-facing slope in Kintogher townland, at the far end of the Branley’s Yard Nature Trail…

Coolbeg Wedge Tomb

The Giant’s Grave Located at the end of a short trail at the rear of Yeats’ Tavern carpark, on privately owned land, are the remains of a large, man-made stone…

Drumcliffe Fearsat

A fearsat, ford or strand pass, is a manmade route across a body of water easily passable at low tide. These causeways, also referred to as toghers, were constructed by overlaying…

Rathcormac Japanese Knotweed Project 2012 onwards

A 2009 County Council-commissioned survey of Rathcormac identified four instances of Japanese Knotweed in the village area and further survey work by Tidy Towns volunteers identified seven additional sites in…

Constance Markievicz Statue

Located in Rathcormac park is a statue of Countess Constance Markievicz (1868-1927), Irish nationalist, suffragette, politician, and champion of the poor. Born Constance Gore-Booth, the daughter of local land owner Sir Henry…

Holy Well, Doonerin

One of several holy wells once found in the locality, the well at Doonerin is unique in that is located on the seabed of Drumcliffe Bay and visible and accessible…

National Tidy Towns Competition

Drumcliffe and Rathcormac Tidy Towns enter the National Supervalu Tidy Towns Competition each year. Rathcormac first entered in 2011 with the twin villages entering jointly as Drumcliffe Rathcormac in 2014. Since then we have improved our score each year. A copy of the most recent Adjudicator Report can be accessed here.

Tidy Towns Competition 2021 Adjudication Report Drumcliffe Rathcormac

The Tidy Towns initiative has been in place for over 50 years in Ireland. Over 800 cities, towns, villages and rural areas take part each year. Assessment of participating towns is carried out by an independent panel of adjudicators appointed by the Department of Rural and Community Development and takes place during the months of June, July and August each year, on a date which is not specified. As a result, this assessment is conducted in secret.