In 1836, a researcher named Mudge documented the discovery of what he described as a ‘wooden house’ embedded in the bog. The structure measured 12 feet square and stood 9 feet tall, with a second floor dividing it into two distinct rooms, each with just four feet of clearance; barely enough space for a person to stand upright.

What makes this find particularly fascinating is its location on rising ground that had been covered by deep peat deposits over the centuries. The bog’s preservative qualities likely helped maintain the wooden structure, though Mudge’s original report frustratingly doesn’t specify when the building might have been constructed. Whether it dates from the early medieval period, the Iron Age, or some other era remains unknown, leaving archaeologists to speculate about who built this compact dwelling and why.

The discovery forms part of County Donegal’s rich archaeological landscape, documented in the comprehensive Archaeological Survey of County Donegal compiled by Brian Lacey and his team in 1983. This survey catalogues field antiquities spanning from the Mesolithic Period through to the 17th century, placing the Drumbeagh structure within a broader context of human habitation in this corner of Ireland. The wooden house, with its unusually small proportions and bog preservation, stands as a tantalising glimpse into how our ancestors adapted to life in Ireland’s challenging wetland environments.