THY WILL BE DONE
O LORD
IN THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS
PRAY FOR THE REPOSE OF SOUL OF
JOSEPH GARGAN E. S. Q. J.P.
WHO DIED AT DRAKERATH. KELLS
20th SEPT. 1885. AGED 61 YEARS
AND OF HIS WIFE
MARIA TERESA GARGAN
WHO DIED 21st NOV 1912 AGED 82 YEARS
ALSO THEIR SON PATRICK WHO DIED OCT 1912
AGED 55 YEARS
JESUS MERCY
Source: Noel French.
In 1835 Drakerath was the property of Mr. Cruise. The ruins of a small castle was still visible in the middle of the townland. In 1835 it was described as a small tower about 30 feet high and overgrown with ivy. The 1837 OS map shows the castle remains surrounded by a wood. All that remains today is a slight rise in a field which indicates the castle site.
In the 1850s Joseph Gargan was leasing over 800 acres from Miss Ellen Cruise at Drakerath. Joseph Gargan married Maria Ellis. Joseph Gargan purchased 505 acres at Drakerath from the estate of William Cruise in 1870. In 1876 Joseph Gargan of Drakerath held 907 acres in County Meath. Joseph Gargan died 1885 aged 61. Drakerath House was constructed after 1854 and prior to 1909. The house had more than thirteen rooms and had eight windows to the front. The house was constructed near the Carlanstown-Ardee road.
In 1901 Maria Theresa Gargan and her family lived at Drakerath. Maria Theresa was aged 69, a widow, and born in Co. Kildare. Her son Patrick, aged 41 and her daughters, Jane, Emily and Agnes also lived at Drakerath. All of the family were residing at Drakerath in 1911. Patrick Joseph Gargan died at his residence in 1912. Agnes Gargan, youngest daughter of Joseph Gargan, died in 1938.
In 1914 Dan McArdle purchased the estate.