Raheen-a-Cluig

Raheen-a-Cluig is a medieval church and National Monument in Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland.[1]

Raheen-a-Cluig
Raheenac[h]luig Church, Raheen na gClig, Raheen na Clig
Ráithín an Chloig
Raheen-a-Cluig viewed from the north
Raheen-a-Cluig
53.193786°N 6.090484°W / 53.193786; -6.090484
LocationNewcourt, Bray, County Wicklow
CountryIreland
DenominationPre-Reformation Catholic
History
Foundedc. 1200
DedicationSt Michael or St Brendan
Architecture
Functional statusruined
StyleNorman
Years built13th century
Specifications
Length12.5 m (41 ft)
Width5.3 m (17 ft)
Height2 m (6 ft 7 in)
Number of floors1
Floor area66 m2 (710 sq ft)
Materialsstone
Administration
DioceseDublin
Designations
National Monument of Ireland

Location

Raheen-a-Cluig lies on the north face of Bray Head in Raheen Park, about 300 m (330 yd) south of the beach, with a commanding view over the coastline.

History
c. 1875 photo with Bray promenade in background

Raheen-a-Cluig is believed to have been built in the 12th–13th century AD.[2] The name derives from the Irish Ráithín an Chloig. This would mean "little fort of the bell", but there is no sign of a fort. Ráithín can also refer to a wall of built-up sods of turf, or it could be a version of raithean, "ferny area". It was given to the Augustines by the then prominent Archbold family. It may have been dedicated to St Michael or St Brendan.[3][4]

It was partially restored in the 18th century. Over the years it has also been used as a hideout by smugglers, and it associated with various ghost stories.

Church

The ruins have a doorway in the northeast wall which would have originally held a strong timber door, and round-headed windows in the east and west gables.

There were two smaller buildings close by and so is an enclosure: probably a cillín: a burial ground for suicides, shipwrecked sailors, strangers, unrepentant murderers and unbaptised babies.

About a 400 m (¼ mile) southeast of the church there was a holy well, known as Patrick’s Well. This was still used in the 1830s, mostly by invalids.[5]

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References
  1. "Raheen a Cluig church Bray head c1875". www.flickr.com.
  2. http://www.irishstones.org/place.aspx?p=522&i=1
  3. "Ireland In Ruins: Raheen-A-Cluig Church Co Wicklow". irelandinruins.blogspot.ie.
  4. "Raheen-a-Cluig Card Print". www.etsy.com.
  5. "Bygone Tour of Bray - Bray at the heart of it". www.bray.ie.
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