Intrigue at Drum Bridge. Congratulations UlsterLatinos for FTF.
The story of Haddock’s ghost has been passed down through the generations of the parishioners of Drumbeg. In 1657 James Haddock died leaving behind him his wife Arminell and a son John. Before his death he had arranged for a lease of his lands that his son's name to go into it with his own. Unfortunately, Haddock died before the lease was completed. His widow then married, Jacob Davis of Malone, and by him had another son whose name his father got inserted in the lease, thus ousting the young Haddock from his patrimony.
The ghost of James Haddock appeared to Francis Taverner who was riding to his home at Malone. The ghost prevailed upon Taverner to visit Arminell Davis and get her to restore the lands to his son John. Davis refused to surrender the lease and Haddock convinced Taverner to take the matter to court and that he would appear as a witness! Well he did and the land was restored to his son. The full story can be found by the gravestone of James Haddock buried in Drumbeg Church.
As if this story isn’t intriguing enough, there used to be a gallows at Drum Bridge. On the 17th April 1783 one Patrick Gordon was executed there for stealing linen from bleach greens in the area.
And finally a glowing ball of light has been seen dancing around the headstones and, in the 1970s it was reported that a ghostly lady with a child in her arms was seen on the Drum Bridge. I kid you not – look it up!