Raheen, County Wexford

:"This article is about Raheen, a village in County Wexford. For other places called Raheen, see Raheen, County Laois, Raheen, County Limerick, or Raheen (estate)."Infobox Irish Place
name = Raheen
gaeilge = An Ráithín cite web
url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1975/ga/si/0133.html
title= Placenames Order (Irish Government).
work=
date=1975
accessdate=2008-05-09] | crest

motto =
map

pin coords = left: 45px; top: 77px
north coord = 52.3919
west coord = 6.7939
irish grid = S869277
area =
elevation = 48 m (157 ft)
province = Leinster
county = County Wexford
town pop = ...
rural pop = ...
census yr = 2006
web =
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Raheen ("An Ráithín" in Irish) 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.

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 the Irish Rebellion of 1798, one of the main rebel camps was located at nearby 'Carrigbyrne Hill'. [Dickson, "The Wexford Rising in 1798", p. 119.]

Formerly a R.C. church existed at 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 1km away) has since been demolished. This belonged to the former Church of Ireland (C.O.I.) 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.

Details

Raheen village contains a primary school, [Raheen National School (N.S.).] a shop, a R.C. church, [ [http://www.ferns.ie/parish.shtml?Id=Raheen%20(Newbawn) Raheen RC Church] .] , a community centre, and a small number of houses. There is also a cemetery located about half a kilometre away at Courthoyle. Raheen 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.

Famous Residents

*Matthew Furlong - 1798 Rebel.

References & footnotes

ources

*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.

External links

* [http://www.claneire.com/connected/raheen.htm Raheen Website, Co. Wexford, Ireland]
* [http://getamap.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/getamap/frames.htm?mapAction=gaz&gazName=g&gazString=S826277 Raheen on Ordnance Survey Ireland, via Getamap]
* [http://www.wexford.ie/ Wexford County Council website]