"Bury me in Ireland, the land of my adoption...": Thomas Drummond: 1797-1840

The epitaph bears a paraphrase of what were allegedly his last words:

BURY ME IN IRELAND

THE LAND OF MY ADOPTION

I HAVE LOVED HER WELL

AND SERVED HER FAITHFULLY.

During his short life of only 43 years, Scottish-born, Thomas Drummond served as a Captain in the Royal Engineers, Head of the Boundary Commission (1832), Private Secretary to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Under Secretary of Ireland (1835 until his death 1840).

Popularly known as 'The Drummond Era', it is his time as Under Secretary of Ireland for which Thomas Drummond is best remembered. It is said that he was respected by the Irish because he ruled from Dublin Castle with impartiality and fairness. During his tenure, Drummond grappled with injustice in the legal system, monitored issues accruing as a result of the growing Orange Order movement, and established a centralized Police Service. He had other initiatives planned as well when he died while in office, 15 April 1840.

For more information see: Thomas Drummond.

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All photos Copyright© J.Geraghty-Gorman 2011.