Raffin

19 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Raffin, from 44 m² to 377,474 m² (37.75 ha, 93.28 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary. 20 neighbouring parcels touch it.

Download the townland as DXF, in Irish Transverse Mercator metres, with its boundary, parcels and buildings, or as GeoJSON or KML.

• P5RA - Rural Area (Mixed/general primary sector uses, including 'rural')
  Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027 (As Varied), Meath · 39 parcels The zoning objective in the plan

Source: Tailte Éireann and the Department of Housing (MyPlan), national zoning, CC BY 4.0.

No planning application touches the townland of Raffin in the national file, which goes back to 2010.

Source: National Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Applicants are not shown.

Designated sites

No designated site (Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Area, Natural Heritage Area or proposed one) touches the townland of Raffin.

Recorded monuments

• ME011-040 Ceremonial enclosure
  Description

  Situated on the summit of a N-S ridge. When first described in 1969 (SMR file) it presented as a large ring-barrow consisting of a circular grass-covered area (diam. 40m N-S; 39.5m E-W) separated by a fosse (Wth of top 6.5-7.5m; Wth of base 2-2.5m; int. D 0.6-0.7m; ext. D 0.8-0.9m) from an outer earthen bank (Wth of base 6.5-8m; ext. H 0.5m at NW to 1.2m at SE). A NNW-SSE scarp (H 0.4m) sloping down to the W that proved to be early medieval crossed the interior and extended across the fosse at N. There was an entrance (Wth of base 1.7m) in the outer bank at SSE. The earthwork was damaged in 1988 and a subsequent excavation (E000510) in the years 1989-1993 revealed a complex of features including a possible Neolithic house (ME011-040003-), Late Bronze Age (ME011-040005-) and Early Iron Age (ME011-040007-) hut-sites, the fosse of a Neolithic enclosure (ME011-040002-), a Late Bronze Age palisaded enclosure (ME011-040004-), two timber circles (ME011-040001-; ME011-040006-), and a ritual burial (ME011-040008-). The excavation demonstrated that there was a causeway inside the entrance gap which had a metalled surface in the outer bank of the final monument (Newman 1993c, 14-15). The N-S surface scarp had a gully at its W base, and it appears to have overlain the circular Iron Age hut-site. A sample from the gully provided a C14 date of AD 380-670, but there appears to have been no further structural development of the monument after this (ibid. 18) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of revision: 10 April 2019 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 4/1988).

• ME011-040001 Timber circle
  Description

  Situated on the summit of a N-S ridge. When first described in 1969 (SMR file) the earthwork presented as a large ring-barrow consisting of a circular grass-covered area (diam. 38.5m NW-SE) separated by a fosse (Wth of top 6.5m-7.5m; Wth of base 2-2.5m; int. D 0.6-0.7m; ext. D 0.8-0.9m) from an outer earthen bank (Wth of base 3-5.8m; ext. H 0.5m at NW to 1.2m at SE). The earthwork was damaged in 1988 and a subsequent excavation (E000510) in the years 1989-1993 revealed a complex of features including a possible Neolithic house, two hut-sites, two enclosures, a ritual burial and two timber circles. In the aftermath of the final 1993 season a circular building (diam. c. 9m) consisting of at least 5 rings of post-holes that were graded with the slightest at the centre came to light. The posts were closely set (c. 0.5-0.8m apart), but a wider passage from the S to the centre was kept open. The structure overlaps building A (ME011-040005-), a large hut-site (diam. 13m) with a double wall that is Late Bronze Age in date. (Newman 1993a) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 10 April, 2019

• ME011-040002 Enclosure
  Description

  Situated on the summit of a N-S ridge. When first described in 1969 (SMR file) the earthwork presented as a large ring-barrow consisting of a circular grass-covered area (diam. 38.5m NW-SE) defined by a fosse (Wth of top 6.5m-7.5m; Wth of base 2-2.5m; int. D 0.6-0.7m; ext. D 0.8-0.9m) and an outer earthen bank (Wth of base 3-5.8m; ext. H 0.5m at NW to 1.2m at SE). The earthwork was damaged in 1988 and a subsequent excavation (E000510) in the years 1989-1993 revealed a complex of features including a possible Neolithic house, two hut-sites, two enclosures, two timber circles and a ritual burial. In the 1993 season an enclosure, dated by radiocarbon to c. 3000 BC, was partially excavated. It consisted of a ditch (Wth c. 2.4-3m; D c. 0.8m; exposed L 23m), and a pit (dims 1.2m x 0.7m; D 0.15m) is associated with it. The ditch is the earliest feature uncovered and is partly overlain by a small subrectangular wooden structure or house (ME011-040003-). (Newman 1993c, 6-7; 1993d, 21) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 10 April, 2019

• ME011-040003 House - Neolithic
  Description

  Situated on the summit of a N-S ridge. When first described in 1969 (SMR file) the earthwork presented as a large ring-barrow consisting of a circular grass-covered area (diam. 38.5m NW-SE) separated by a fosse (Wth of top 6.5m-7.5m; Wth of base 2-2.5m; int. D 0.6-0.7m; ext. D 0.8-0.9m) from an outer earthen bank (Wth of base 3-5.8m; ext. H 0.5m at NW to 1.2m at SE). The earthwork was damaged in 1988 and a subsequent excavation (E000510) in the years 1989-1993 revealed a complex of features including a possible Neolithic house, two hut-sites, two enclosures, two timber circles, and a ritual burial. In the final 1993 season the earliest fosse uncovered (ME011-040002-) was Neolithic in date and it was partly overlain by a small subrectangular structure (Wth 2.8m), which is interpreted as a possible Neolithic house. However, no diagnostic artefacts are associated with it and the structure was truncated by an Iron Age ditch. (Newman 1993d, 21) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 10 April, 2019

• ME011-040004 Enclosure
  Description

  Situated on the summit of a N-S ridge. When first described in 1969 (SMR file) the earthwork presented as a large ring-barrow consisting of a circular grass-covered area (diam. 38.5m NW-SE) separated by a fosse (Wth of top 6.5m-7.5m; Wth of base 2-2.5m; int. D 0.6-0.7m; ext. D 0.8-0.9m) from an outer earthen bank (Wth of base 3-5.8m; ext. H 0.5m at NW to 1.2m at SE). The earthwork was damaged in 1988 and a subsequent excavation (E000510) in the years 1989-1993 revealed a complex of features including a possible Neolithic house, two hut-sites, two enclosures, two timber circles and a ritual burial. In the final 1993 season the earliest fosse uncovered (ME011-040002-) was Neolithic in date but an oval enclosure (dim. 29m N-S) defined by a single narrow palisade trench and with an entrance at SE was also uncovered. It is associated with coarse pottery that produced a radiocarbon date of 1500-800 BC, and encloses a hut-site (ME011-040005-). (Newman 1993b; 1993c, 7-8; 1993, 21d) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 10 April, 2019

• ME011-040005 Hut site
  Description

  Situated on the summit of a N-S ridge. When first described in 1969 (SMR file) the earthwork presented as a large ring-barrow consisting of a circular grass-covered area (diam. 38.5m NW-SE) separated by a fosse (Wth of top 6.5m-7.5m; Wth of base 2-2.5m; int. D 0.6-0.7m; ext. D 0.8-0.9m) from an outer earthen bank (Wth of base 3-5.8m; ext. H 0.5m at NW to 1.2m at SE). The earthwork was damaged in 1988 and a subsequent excavation (E000510) in the years 1989-1993 revealed a complex of features including a possible Neolithic house, two hut-sites, two enclosures, two timber circles, and a ritual burial. The oval palisaded enclosure (ME011-040004-) enclosed a circular hut-site (ext. diam. 13m) defined by a double wall of posts. The hut-site has a large central post and another post partly blocks the entrance (Wth c. 0.85m) at SE, but there was no evidence of a hearth or other signs of domestic use. (Newman 1993a; 1993b; 1993c, 11-13; 1993d, 21, 23) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 10 April, 2019

• ME011-040006 Timber circle
  Description

  Situated on the summit of a N-S ridge. When first described in 1969 (SMR file) the earthwork presented as a large ring-barrow consisting of a circular grass-covered area (diam. 38.5m NW-SE) separated by a fosse (Wth of top 6.5m-7.5m; Wth of base 2-2.5m; int. D 0.6-0.7m; ext. D 0.8-0.9m) and an outer earthen bank (Wth of base 3-5.8m; ext. H 0.5m at NW to 1.2m at SE). The earthwork was damaged in 1988 and a subsequent excavation (E000510) in the years 1989-1993 revealed a complex of features including a possible Neolithic house, two hut-sites, two enclosures, two timber circles, and a ritual burial. The oval palisaded enclosure (ME011-040004-), which enclosed a circular hut-site (ME011-040005-), proved to be Late Bronze Age in date. These were superseded by an Iron Age hut-site (ME011-040007-) that was within an enclosure (diam. c. 21m) of a ceremonial nature defined by at least five pits (max. diam. 0.8m; max. D 0.75m) placed c. 6m apart, each containing a single post and placed c. 6m from the walls of the hut and which could be described as a timber circle. (Newman 1993c, 14-15; 1993d, 23) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 10 April, 2019

• ME011-040007 Hut site
  Description

  Situated on the summit of a N-S ridge. When first described in 1969 (SMR file) the earthwork presented as a large ring-barrow consisting of a circular grass-covered area (diam. 38.5m NW-SE) separated by a fosse (Wth of top 6.5m-7.5m; Wth of base 2-2.5m; int. D 0.6-0.7m; ext. D 0.8-0.9m) from an outer earthen bank (Wth of base 3-5.8m; ext. H 0.5m at NW to 1.2m at SE). The earthwork was damaged in 1988 and a subsequent excavation (E000510) in the years 1989-1993 revealed a complex of features including a possible Neolithic house, two hut-sites, two enclosures, two timber circles, and a ritual burial. The circular hut-site of the Late Bronze Age (ME011-040005-) was superseded by an Early Iron Age circular hut-site (diam. 9m) defined by a plank palisade with an entrance at SE. It is at the centre of the earthwork enclosure (ME011-040----) and may be contemporary with it. A sample of wood from the palisade trench produced a C14 date of 30 BC to AD 670, corroborated by a La Téne fibula of second century AD date and two glass-beads. It had no evidence of a hearth or other signs of domestic use, but it was within a widely-spaced timber circle (ME011-040006-) of a ritual nature. The hut-site was partly beneath the NNW-SSE surface scarp across the earthwork, which is dated by radiocarbon to the early medieval. (Newman 1993b; 1993c, 14-16; 1993d, 23) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 10 April, 2010

• ME011-040008 Burial
  Description

  Situated on the summit of a N-S ridge. When first described in 1969 (SMR file) the earthwork presented as a large ring-barrow consisting of a circular grass-covered area (diam. 38.5m NW-SE) separated by a fosse (Wth of top 6.5m-7.5m; Wth of base 2-2.5m; int. D 0.6-0.7m; ext. D 0.8-0.9m) from an outer earthen bank (Wth of base 3-5.8m; ext. H 0.5m at NW to 1.2m at SE). A large subrectangular pit (dims 2.15m plus N-S; 1.1-1.3m E-W; D 035-0.45m plus) in the N interior of the visible enclosure was marked by a globular stone (diam. of base 1.5m; diam. of top 0.94m; visible H 0.63m) on the surface. At the S end of the pit the top and front parts of a human skull and some animal bones on a bed of charcoal were beneath a layer of reddened clay, possibly ochre. This was below a sandy clay, which in turn was beneath a burnt stone layer. The skull produced a C14 date of 100 BC to AD 130 (Newman 1993d, 22). (Newman 1993; 1993c, 16-17) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload; 10 April, 2019

• ME011-041 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  Situated on a fairly level landscape. This feature is not depicted on any edition of the OS 6-inch map. It is a raised, circular and grass-covered area (diam. 41m E-W; 39m N-S) defined by a scarp (at W: Wth 4m; H 1.3m). The entrance may be at E and the perimeter at N is slightly truncated by an ENE-WSW field bank. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of revision: 10 April 2019

• ME011-042 Field system
  Description

  Located on a SE-facing slope. An area of about 12 acres (c. 4.5 ha) contains relict field banks or silted drains creating small rectangular fields (dims c. 40m x c. 20m), some of which have cultivation ridges. Two house sites placed close together and defined by wall footings are identified at the W edge of the fields. The fields were probably associated with Raffin House, just to the N, which was depicted as roofed on the 1836 edition of the OS 6-inch map and was evident in 1984 as a rectangular area (ext. dims 15.7m N-S: 5.9m) defined by stone foundations (Wth 0.6m). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of revision: 10 April 2019

Architectural heritage

No building of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage stands in the townland of Raffin.

Designated sites: National Parks and Wildlife Service. Recorded monuments: Sites and Monuments Record, National Monuments Service. Buildings: National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Works at or in relation to a recorded monument need two months' written notice to the National Monuments Service (National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994, section 12).

Radon

At the centre of the townland of Raffin, about 1 in 10 homes in this area is likely to have high radon levels. Testing a home

Landslides

The 1:50,000 map rates the landslide susceptibility here as low.

Terrain model

No LiDAR survey of the Office of Public Works covers the centre of the townland of Raffin.

Flooding

The Office of Public Works publishes its flood maps on floodinfo.ie.

Radon Risk Map of Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency, and Landslide Susceptibility Classification, Geological Survey Ireland, both under CC BY 4.0. LiDAR: contains Irish Public Sector Data (Geological Survey Ireland & the Office of Public Works) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.

No address of the register names Raffin with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Meath.

Name

Raffin

Area

1,103,658 m² (110.37 ha, 272.72 acres)

Civil parish

Drakestown, and its townlands

Barony

Morgallion

Electoral division

Castletown, the unit of the census

Census 2022

1,034 people lived in 339 households in the Castletown electoral division. 88% of households owned their home. 23% of homes were built since 2001. 6% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 0% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Butlerstown, Castletown, Clooney, Moydorragh, Rahood

Placenames

Raffin on logainm.ie, the Placenames Database of Ireland

Townlands, civil parishes, baronies and electoral divisions, National Statutory Boundaries, Tailte Éireann, CC BY 4.0. Census 2022, Small Area Population Statistics by electoral division, Central Statistics Office, CC BY 4.0. A townland is the smallest land division of Ireland, and the unit of a rural address. Old registers such as the 1901 and 1911 censuses file it under its civil parish and barony.