DRUM, or EDARDDRUIM, a parish, in the barony of
ATHLONE, county of ROSCOMMON, and province of
CONNAUGHT, 4 miles (S. W.) from Athlone, on the river
Shannon, and on the road to Ballinasloe; containing
4957 inhabitants. An abbey was founded here by St.
Diradius, or Deoradius, brother of St. Canoc, about the
close of the fifth century: and in the retreat of the
army of St. Ruth from Aughrim, this is thought to have
been the spot where a battle was fought. The parish
contains 8965 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe
act: the land, in general very poor, is chiefly under
tillage; there is still a considerable quantity of bog,
though much has been reclaimed. The seats are Thomastown
Park, the residence of Edmond H. Naghten, Esq.;
Ardkenan, of Edw. Naghten,.Esq.; Johnstown, of J.
Dillon, Esq., now occupied by Mr. Kelly; Summer
Hill, of J. Gaynor, Esq.; and White House, of Mrs.
Reilly. There is a constabulary police station at
Cranough. It is in the diocese of Tuam; the rectory
is partly impropriate in the Incorporated Society; the
vicarage is episcopally united to that of Moore. The
tithes amount to £180, one-half payable to the impropriators,
and the other to the vicar. There is no church.
In the R. C. divisions the parish forms part of the
union or district of St. Peter's, Athlone, in the diocese
of Elphin: the chapel is in the old churchyard, in
which are the ruins of a chapel, which was dedicated to
St. Mary, and is said to have been erected by one of the
O'Naghtens, in 550. About 200 children are taught in
four private schools.