Raheen, County Wexford

Raheen (Irish: An Ráithín) [1] is a townland and village in County Wexford, Ireland. It lies 27 km from Wexford, 11 km from New Ross, and 23 km from Enniscorthy.

Raheen

An Ráithín
Village
Raheen
Location in Ireland
Coordinates: 52°23′31″N 6°47′38″W
CountryIreland
ProvinceLeinster
CountyCounty Wexford
Elevation
48 m (157 ft)
Time zoneUTC+0 (WET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-1 (IST (WEST))
Irish Grid ReferenceS869277

Etymology

The meaning of the name is reasonably clear. Raheen, in Irish An Ráithín (or simply Ráithín), means 'the little Rath or Ringfort'. A Rath or Ringfort was a fortified wooden human dwelling. Raheen is situated in the townland of 'Raheenarostia' or 'Rochestown' (both names are used). This implies that the full meaning of the name may be 'Roche's little Rath or Ringfort'.

History

For most of the Norman period, the area was controlled by the Howell family. They gave their name to nearby 'Courthoyle', where they had a chapel and castle.

During the Irish Rebellion of 1798, one of the main rebel camps was located at nearby 'Carrigbyrne Hill'.[2]

Formerly a R.C. church existed at Courthoyle, nearby to the village of Raheen. The current R.C. church of Raheen dates from 1814.

A Protestant church that once existed at the townland of Templeshelin (located about 1 km away) has since been demolished. This belonged to the former Church of Ireland parish of Adamstown. The adjacent cemetery is still in existence and contains some of the victims of the Scullabogue barn fire that took place during the Irish Rebellion of 1798, as well as a small number of other graves.

Amenities

Raheen village contains a primary school,[3] a shop, a Roman Catholic church,[4] a childcare centre, a community centre, and a few houses. There is also a cemetery located about half a kilometre away at Courthoyle. Raheen Roman Catholic (R.C.) church, a curacy, is part of the R.C. Parish of Newbawn. The parish church is located at Newbawn.

Sport

The local GAA club is Adamstown GAA Club. The club's main pitch is located at Adamstown, about 3–4 km away. However, there is another pitch located at Newbawn that is sometimes also used. Rounders is also played in Raheen. Raheen school is involved in many sports.

See also

References
  1. "Placenames Order (Irish Government)". 1975. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
  2. Dickson, The Wexford Rising in 1798, p. 119.
  3. Raheen National School (N.S.)
  4. Raheen RC Church.

Sources
  • Dickson, Charles. The Wexford Rising in 1798. London: Constable & Co., 1997. ISBN 0-09-477250-9.
  • Brooks, Eric St. John. Knights’ Fees in Counties Wexford, Carlow and Kilkenny (13th-15th century). Dublin: Stationery Office, 1950.
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