An Ráithín (na nGarraidhthe)

An Ráithín or Raheen is a townland of 65 hectares or 160 acres and in the early part of the 20th century, 92 individual fields were mapped in this townland.

It is in the Electoral Division of Myross, in Civil Parish of Myross and the Roman Catholic Parish of Castlehaven and Myross.

An Ráithín is bordered by Baile na Tóna (Ballinatona), An Chathair Gheal (Cahergal) and Meall Uí Chorráin (Maulicarrane) to the east, An Chúil Dorcha (Cooldurragha) to the north and An Rinn (Reen) and An Liag (The League) to the south

OpenStreetmap contributors, with input from the Castlehaven & Myross History Society, have created a detailed townland map including all its minor placenames. Zoom in for further detail.

Etymology

An Ráithín was interpreted by Bruno O'Donoghue as The Small Fort. He also terms it as Ráithín na nGarraidhthe which means the little fort of the gardens. However na Garraidhthe was an old name for Myross parish and, as there there was another Raheen in Castlehaven this may well refer to "the Myross Raheen".

History

Flax: There were flax ponds in this townland up to the 1940s. There were three ponds in all. They would fill the first one and let it flow into the next one etc. You would put sheaves of flax in the pond and weigh them down with stones. After 11 to 14 days, you would walk into the pond to take them out and then they would be laid out to dry (known as bleaching). They would be then re-sheaved and taken to the mill. This was very difficult and back-breaking work. There was also a very strong smell when the flax was taken out of the pond.

Creamery: John Sheehy's creamery was situated first where the Collins house is now situated. It moved later to Reen to a location near the slipway.

Castle: At the edge of the water are the ruins of Raheen Castle of the O' Donovans which was built in 1584 by Donnell O' Donovan, 2nd chieftain of the Clanncahill. His father, Donnell 1st also known as as Domhnall na gCraiceann (Donnell of the Hides/Skins), was responsible for building Castledonovan in 1560. The O' Donovans were strict loyalists and joined with James, 3rd Earl of Castlehaven, who was commander-in-chief of the Royalists during the Cromwellian rebellion. Both Castledonovan and Raheen were attacked and blown up by the Cromwellians. The east wall of the castle has fallen down and the western wall looking out the harbour's mouth, is fissured with rents and presents a battered appearance. Several holes are visible where cannon balls once penetrated, some of which are still imbedded in the solid masonry of the wall.

Quays: Marked in the OSI maps are three quays on the shoreline beneath the castle where fishermen probably landed their catches in olden days. Sadly these quays no longer exist.

Famine: The book, "The Famine Story" lists the men from this townland that were working on the Myross Relief Scheme on 28th August 1846 during the Great Famine. These were public works that involved hard labour for a low wage for a workforce that were already weak and starving. The names from this townland were as follows: John Donovan, Daniel Mahony.

Housing

As part of Griffiths Valuation in 1852, a survey of house quality was carried out to calculate what rates were due by each household. These were issued in the form of house books (Pg 1, Pg 2) and a guide on how to interpret these can be seen here. These show that 5 of the 9 houses in the townland at this time were Class 3. This means that they were thatched houses with stone walls with mud or puddle mortar. All five were described as old (more than 25 years) with two being in repair and three being out of repair. The remaining four houses were Class 1 which means that they were slated dwelling houses built with stone or brick and lime mortar. The condition of three was described as medium (not new), deteriorated by age and not in perfect repair while the other was old but in repair. All of the class 3 houses in the townland are between 5 foot 6 inches (!) and 7 foot tall which indicates that they were single storey at this time. The class 1 houses vary between 5 feet and 9 feet tall.

By the 1901 census, there is a slight drop to 8 occupied houses and all have walls of stone, brick or concrete with roofs of slate, iron or tiles. Six of the houses have two, three or four rooms with one having two windows in front (which indicate that it is probably still single storey at this time) while two have three windows in front, one has four and two more have five windows in front. The remaining two houses in the townland have five or six rooms with one having five windows in front while the other has seven.

When we advance to the 1911 census there is another slight drop to 7 occupied houses and, not surprisingly, all still have walls of stone, brick or concrete with roofs of slate, iron or tiles. Four of the houses now have two, three or four rooms with one having two windows in front (which indicate that it is probably still single storey at this time) while two have three windows in front and another has five windows in front. The remaining three houses in the townland have five or six rooms with two having five windows in front while the other has seven.

Places of Interest

Raheen Castle: This is located in this townland and is still fairly intact.

Céim Hill: This starts in the townland of Cooldurragha and runs through Raheen

Lake: This in one of the townlands in which Lough Cluhir is located. According to Bruno O'Donoghue, this name comes from Loch Cluthair (sheltered lake).

Interesting Placenames

No field names have been captured in this townland

If you know any other field names or placenames in this townland (or if you need to correct any or give further background information), please contact us at [email protected]

Folklore

Corcán Sheáin de Bhuala: This pot is supposed to be in the treasury of the Clann Chaithil (dominant O'Donovan sept) and was concealed beneath the ruins of Raheen Castle. Seán de Bhuile features in a story in the School Collection that is referenced below. This was also covered in Volume 4 of the Castlehaven and Myross History Society journal.

Raheen Castle: Rumour has it that a local farmer came across the skeleton of a human when digging near the castle.

Lough Cluhir: There are a number of stories in relation to Lough Cluhir. It is said that it was created by St. Bridget after she was refused milk by a local chieftain. It was also said that there was an ollphéíst (monster) that lived in the lake. Click here for further information

Magical Ship: It is said that a magical ship is seen on Lough Cluichir every seven years. It was also said that Íomhar O'Donnabháin (from Castle Ivor) rode a white horse around the lake on every full moon.

Enchanted Palace It is said that Ivor O'Donovan still lives in Lough Cluhir in an enchanted palace deep beneath the lake

Families and Notable Residents

The Tithe Applotment books of 1829 list the following family names: Shea, Murphy, Regan, Hennessy

Griffiths Valuation of 1853 lists the following family names: Truepick, Hennessy, Mahony, Attridge, Murphy, Gorman, Sullivan

The Census of Ireland of 1901 lists the following family names: Driscoll, Driscoll, McKennedy, Collins (the head of the household was a dairyman from Drinagh), Brien (with Hayes (daughter and 2 x grandson), Hennessy, Donovan, Hennessy.

The Census of Ireland of 1911 lists the following family names: Donovan (with Regan (servant) and McCarthy (servant)), Hennessy, Donovan (with Hayes (relative)), Brien (with Hayes (nephew)), McKennedy (with Neil (daughter, son-in-law and grand-daughter) and Lecane (daughter and grand-daughter)), Driscoll, Driscoll.

As an aside, the Lecane family (as mentioned in the 1911 census above) are descended from a French family who were originally Le Quesne. They settled in the Union Hall area in the late 19th century and changed their name as Lecane was easier to understand.

Note: the term 'with' refers to a person or persons of a different family name staying in the house. This may have been an in-law or other relative, a guest, or a farm labourer/housekeeper or domestic servant.

Demographics and Landholding

		*Occupiers	Population	Change	Link to record
1829	Tithe Applotment	9	45 est		1829
1841	Census of Ireland	20	99
1851	Census of Ireland	10	50
1853	Griffith's Valuation	9 (inc. 1 unoccupied)	45 est		1853
1861	Census of Ireland	10	65
1871	Census of Ireland	10 (incl. 1 unoccupied)	83
1901	Census of Ireland	8	61		1901
1911	Census of Ireland	8 (inc. 1 unoccupied)	48		1911

*Occupiers generally equate to households having a house and land but may also include households having houses but no land.

Between 1656 and 1658 the Down Survey mapped all areas of the country to track ownership of land after much had been granted to followers of Cromwell after the war of the 1650's. The most prominent proprietor (titulado) of this townland at that time was Daniell Oge O'Donovan. This townland was called Raheene at that time.

The proprietor of this townland in 1841 was Sir William Wrixon Beecher of Ballygiblin, Cecilstown and his agent was Rev. Nicholas Wrixon of Ballygiblin, Cecilstown. It was let to tenants at will at lump rents.

In 1841, the soil was described as light, producing wheat, oats and potatoes. Fuel was described as scarce and the prevailing names were Attridge, Trippock and Hennessy.