Raha

Townlands of Oughterard

By Paul Gibbons

Townland of Raha highlighted in yellow

Anglicized from Irish: Na Rátha

Translates to: “The forts”

Etymology:

Raha comes from the Irish ‘rath’ meaning a ringfort. However, in the Irish language ringforts are known by a number of names: ráth (anglicised rath), lios (anglicised lis), caiseal (anglicised cashel), cathair (anglicised caher or cahir) and dún (anglicised dun or doon). Although these terms all mean ringfort they also give us greater detail into the type of ringfort that was present. The ráth and lios was an earthen ringfort; the ráth being the enclosing bank and the lios being the open space within. Whereas the caiseal and cathair were stone ringforts and the term dún was usually used for any stronghold of importance, which may or may not be ring-shaped.

Unfortunately, no ringfort exists in the townland today. However, their existence is plausible given the fact that they would have been made of earth which could have been easily moved for agricultural or architectural reasons or simply eroded over time.

Size: 226 acres, 3 rods, 36 perchs

Siting:

In the eastern extremity of Kilcummin parish. Bounded on the north by Magherabeg, on the east by Drimneen and Killannin Parish (Drimnahoon), on the south by Carrowndulla and on the west by Magheramore.

Description:

Land not good. Contains 214 acres of land about the half of which is under tillage. There are 13 acres of water, the remainder is mountain pasture and bog. An old road passes through it.

Placenames within townland:

Knocknacarna – Translates to ‘hill of the carn’. A very high hill which has a triangulation station on it.

Lough Buffy – Translates to ‘lake of the yellow hut/tent’. A lough containing 37 acres of water in the parish of Kilcummin, the remainder to Killannin Parish.

Carn – Prominently situated on the summit of Knocknacarna, a low hill to north-east of Lough Buffy. Sub-circular flat-topped cairn of angular stones (diameter c. 18-20m, height 2.15m). There is a large area of disturbance on east side. Known locally as King Raha’s Grave.

Previous proprietor/landlord:

Robert Martin (1641)

Robert Martin (1670)

Robert Martin of Ross (c. 1850)

Land Value (1857): £ 38 s.15 d. 0

Buildings Value (1857): £ 0 s.15 d. 0

Surnames attached to the townland (1857-1911):

Carney, Murphy, Martin, Walsh

This page was added on 16/07/2014.

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