Rahugh

3 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Rahugh, from 4,206 m² (0.42 ha, 1.04 acres) to 1,078,367 m² (107.84 ha, 266.47 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 23 neighbouring parcels touch it.

No zone of a development plan covers Rahugh in the national zoning. Outside zoned towns and villages, the county development plan's rural policies apply to each application.

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

No planning application touches the townland of Rahugh 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

• Proposed Natural Heritage Area: Murphy's Bridge Esker 001775

Recorded monuments

• WM038-038 Barrow - bowl-barrow
  Description

  Surveyed in 2013 and described by McGuinness (2014, 58-9) as following: 'Large circular mound (Diam. 13m N-S x 13.3m E-W), domed in appearance with slightly flattened upper surface at edge of which is a mature beech; a much silted-up ditch up to 2.2m in width is visible around the base of the mound running clockwise from NE to SW, being absent or difficult to trace elsewhere. Where ditch is clearest on NE side, the natural ground just beyond it rises higher than surrounding areas, giving the illusory impression of an outer bank. Mound rises up to 1.95m in height on NW side, where surrounding ground is lowest and ditch is barely visible. Although summit of eminence on which it lies (see below) slopes down from SE to NW, flattish upper surface of mound appears level when viewed from NE, SE side of mound being much lower than NW side. In the SMR file are a good plan and profile of the barrow and the flat summit of the knoll on which it lies. Monument is very prominently sited on the flattened summit of a striking landform, apparently a kame with dry kettle-hole lake close by to SW, at the N end of an esker ridge (FitzPatrick 2005, 270-71) in a heavily glaciated landscape littered with kames (pers comm. Seamus O’Brien). The Slieve Blooms dominate the view to the S; Knockastia (WM031-015----) and Croghan Hill (OF010-004001-), each with burial mounds, are prominent to NW and E respectively; Ardan Hill, capped by a mound-barrow (WM038-031---), is visible to N. Monument lies on Knockbo Hill c. 700m to NW of graveyard marking the core of the important early medieval monastery (WM038-041002-) of Rahugh (Ráith Áeda), of which little remains but a ruined medieval church (WM038-041----) partly surrounded by an early medieval earthen bank or vallum (WM038-041002-), along with St. Hugh’s Well (WM040-004----) and his birthstone (a monumental early medieval cross-slab (WM038-039----) with large central cupmark shaped like the crown of an infant’s head, venerated since ancient times for its headache cures). FitzPatrick (2005) makes a convincing case for identifying Knockbo Hill and its bowl-barrow as the Cnoc Buadha of early medieval times, where the Clann Cholmáin king—and titular King of Ireland—Máel Sechnaill staged an important rígdál or political conference in AD 859. In later times it was the inauguration site of the Mageoghegans (Mac Eochagáin), chiefs of the Clann Cholmáin subkingdom of Cenél Fiachach. The barrow was linked visually and possibly by a processional way to the important monastery of Rahugh, supposed birthplace of its founder, the Cenél Fiachach saint Áed mac Bricc; less than 1km to SE in Lowerstown, FitzPatrick draws attention to an impressive bivallate ringfort (WM040-003----) and associated standing stone, another possible location for Máel Sechnaill’s rígdál (Hogan 1910, 566; FitzPatrick 2004, 44).' Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien based on details provided by David McGuinness. Date of upload: 23 February 2015

• WM038-039 Cross-slab
  Description

  Known locally as the 'Headache Stone' this early Christian cross-slab is now incorporated into the SE side of a hedgerow forming a field boundary running NE-SW. Rahugh church (WM038-041----) and graveyard (WM038-041001-) 145m to NE. St. Hugh's holy well 300m to ESE. This cross-slab is sometimes referred to as the birthstone of St. Hugh. A story in the 12th century Life of St. Hugh recorded that ‘at his birth, the baby’s head struck upon the stone whereon his mother had been sitting, and formed a hollow depression, the exact size of his head, and further informs us that the water which collects in this little hole still avails for the cure of all kinds of diseases’ (Stokes 1896, 328). Present remains consist of a large roughly rectangular-shaped limestone slab (dims. 1.33m x H 0.95m; T 0.36m) with ringed cross carved in low relief inside a panel the faint outline of which can be seen on one side only. A large depression can be seen in the centre of the cross with a second circular hollow located to the right which has been carved into the arm of the cross. According to the local tradition this was the stone on which St. Hugh was born. Described in 1896 as ‘an immense block of stone, lying in a ditch in the same field as the holy well. It is called by the peasantry, St. High’s tombstone. It has a large Celtic circle and cross incised upon its face. The arms of the cross extend beyond the circle. But the most curious thing about it is this; in the very centre of the circle there is a hole, the side of the crown of a human head, with a smaller hole beside it on the right, into which the elbow is to be inserted. The local tradition is just as Colgan reports, that if the head of a person, afflicted with headache, be placed in the larger hole, the body supported meanwhile by the right arm, the disease will be cured by St. Hugh’s power’ (Stokes 1896, 332). See attached drawing of cross-slab taken from Stokes 1896, 331. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 1 September 2014

• WM038-041 Church
  Description

  Aodh [Hugh] of Rahugh [Ráith Aodha] reputedly founded a monastery here in the 6th century (Walsh 1957, 288). He is also patron of Killare Church (WM024-057----) and a church (DG090-004001-) at Slieve League, Co. Donegal (Ó Riain 2011, 66). Aodh was son of Cormac Breac of the Cinéal Fiachach of Moycashel, his mother was Eithne of the Múscraighe Tíre in Ormond [North Tipperary] (ibid., 66-7). Aodh was reputedly born in the townland of Killare. His principal feastday was commemorated on the 28th of February, but also celebrated on the 4th of May and 16th of November (ibid., 68). In the 19th century a pattern or station was held at the holy well on 2nd of November (Cogan 1867, 522). According to Rev. Walsh (1957, 288) Saint Aodh [Hugh] was commemorated on the 10th of November. Medieval church ruins situated on a low rise of ground standing in the centre of an oval-shaped graveyard (WM038-041001-) with early Christian graveslab (WM038-039----) known locally as the ‘Headache Stone’ 160m to SW and St. Hugh’s holy well (WM040-004----) 210m to SSE. The oval-shaped graveyard may follow the line of the ecclesiastical enclosure (WM038-041002-) belonging to St. Hugh’s sixth-century monastery (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 401). Only a short section of the ivy-covered N and S walls at the E end of the medieval church of Rahugh survives upstanding as depicted on the 1910 ed. OS 25-inch map. Elsewhere the foundations of the church walls are indicated by low grass covered wall footings. A gap in the S wall may represent the remains of a broken out window. Impossible to examine or described upstanding remains as church walls are now covered with ivy. On the 1837 ed. OS 6-inch map the church is depicted as a long rectangular ruin aligned ENE-WSW with two internal walls. These internal walls at the W and E end of the church possibly represent the remains of private family burial areas or mausoleums of post-medieval date which have been inserted and/or built onto the W and E ends of the medieval church. The remains of one of these post-medieval mausoleums built onto the W end of the medieval church as depicted on the OS 25-inch map can still be seen. This structure is also covered in scrub vegetation making examination impossible. The church was described in 1896 as a ‘primitive oblong, about 60 feet [18.2m] long and 20 feet [6.1m] wide’ (Stokes 1896, 331). WM038-041----_01.jpg. View showing upstanding sections of ivy-covered north and south walls of medieval church. Taken from north-east looking south-west. WM038-041----_02.jpg. View showing upstanding sections of ivy-covered north and south walls of medieval church. Taken from west looking east through the centre of the church, the interior of which was used for burials in the post-medieval period. Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 4 September 2014

• WM038-041001 Graveyard
  Description

  Situated atop low rise of ground in undulating countryside with good views in all directions. Early Christian cross-slab (WM038-039----) known locally as the ‘Headache Stone’ 160m to SW and St. Hugh’s holy well (WM040-004----) 210m to SSE. Aodh [Hugh] of Rahugh [Ráith Aodha] reputedly founded a monastery here in the 6th century (Walsh 1957, 288). Roughly oval-shaped graveyard (dims. 50m N-S; 60m WNW-ESE) partially enclosed by post-medieval stone wall with entrance gate at NE and stile to N of entrance. It is in occasional use. Medieval church (WM038-041----) ruins standing in centre of graveyard. The graveyard is enclosed by a post medieval stone wall from NNE-E-S-W-WNW, and from WNW-N-NNE by a low broad earthen bank which may represent the remains of an ecclesiastical enclosure (WM038-041002-) of the monastery founded in the 6th century by Aodh [Hugh] of Rahugh [Ráith Aodha]. A rectangular annexe enclosed by the post-medieval stone wall of the graveyard was added on to the N side of this enclosing bank. In 1896 the graveyard and the ecclesiastical enclosure (WM038-041002-) was described as following; ‘the churchyard is in a state of the most terrible confusion, the tombstones lying two or three deep within a circular cashel [WM038-041002-]’ (Stokes 1896, 331). WM038-041001-_01.jpg. View of graveyard taken from south looking north. WM038-041001-_02.jpg. View of entrance gate at north-east with stile to north. Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 4 September 2014

• WM038-041002 Ecclesiastical enclosure
  Description

  Aodh [Hugh] of Rahugh [Ráith Aodha] reputedly founded a monastery here in the 6th century (Walsh 1957, 288). He is also patron of Killare Church (WM024-057----) and a church (DG090-004001-) at Slieve League, Co. Donegal (Ó Riain 2011, 66). Aodh was son of Cormac Breac of the Cinéal Fiachach of Moycashel, his mother was Eithne of the Múscraighe Tíre in Ormond [North Tipperary] (ibid., 66-7). Aodh was reputedly born in the townland of Killare. His principal feastday was commemorated on the 28th of February, but also celebrated on the 4th of May and 16th of November (ibid., 68). In the 19th century a pattern or station was held at the holy well on 2nd of November (Cogan 1867, 522). According to Rev. Walsh (1957, 288) Saint Aodh [Hugh] was commemorated on the 10th of November. Situated atop low rise of ground in undulating countryside with good views in all directions. Early Christian graveslab (WM038-039----) known locally as the ‘Headache Stone’ and associated with St. Hugh 160m to SW, holy well (WM040-004----) dedicated to St. Hugh 210m to SSE. Roughly oval-shaped graveyard (WM031-041001-) partially enclosed by post-medieval stone wall with entrance gate at NE and stile to N of entrance. Medieval church (WM038-041----) ruins standing in centre of graveyard. The graveyard is enclosed by a post medieval stone wall from NNE-E-S-W-WNW, and from WNW-N-NNE and by a low broad earthen bank which may represent the remains of an ecclesiastical enclosure (of the monastery founded in the 6th century by Aodh [Hugh] of Rahugh [Ráith Aodha]. A rectangular annexe enclosed by the post-medieval stone wall of the graveyard was added on to the N side of this enclosing bank. In 1896 the graveyard and the ecclesiastical enclosure was described as following; ‘the churchyard is in a state of the most terrible confusion, the tombstones lying two or three deep within a circular cashel [WM038-041002-]’ (Stokes 1896, 331). According to Swan (1988, 17) there was evidence of an Early Christian ecclesiastical enclosure in the oval outline of the graveyard (WM031-041001-). WM038-041002-_01.jpg. View of earthen bank on northern side of graveyard which may represent remains of ecclesiastical enclosure of 6th century monastery. Taken from north looking south. Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 4 September 2014

• WM040-004 Ritual site - holy well
  Description

  Holy well dedicated to Aodh [Hugh] of Rahugh [Ráith Aodha] who is also patron of Killare Church (WM024-057----) and a church at Slieve League (DG090-004001-), Co. Donegal (Ó Riain 2011, 66). His principal feastday was commemorated on the 28th of February, but also celebrated on the 4th of May and 16th of November (ibid., 68). Situated on E facing slope of rising ground with church (WM038-041----) and graveyard (WM038-041001-) 190m to NW, early Christian cross-slab (WM038-039----) known locally as the ‘Headache Stone’ 300m to WNW. St. Hugh’s holy well which is still venerated and consists of a spring well (diam. 1m) now encased within a 20th century stone vaulted structure with steps leading down to well all of which is protected by a concrete wall with gate on E side. Cross on top of stone structure with votive offerings around base of cross which has an inscription that reads ‘St. Hugh’s Well Renovated by Members of Rahugh Muintir na Tire 1968’. In 1866 the following was recorded; ‘there is a well called Bishop Hugh’s Well; it is now closed up. It is on the old abbey grounds. Stations were performed there on the 2nd of November, and that day was always observed as a holiday by the people till about thirty-five years ago. There is still a tradition in a neighbourhood, that a person named Ranell, who rented the abbey lands from Lowes, having caused the tokens to be collected after a station, and to be thrown into the fire in his presence, as found dead in his chair before they were consumed’ (Cogan 1867, 522). The well was opened after this date for in 1896 it was recorded that ‘St. Hugh’s holy well-still flowing, still used, and still reverenced-is situated about 250 yards east of the church [WM038-041----]’ (Stokes 1896, 331). Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 1 September 2014

Architectural heritage

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

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).

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

Name

Rahugh · Ráth Aodha

Area

1,086,303 m² (108.63 ha, 268.43 acres)

Civil parish

Rahugh, and its townlands

Barony

Moycashel

Electoral division

Rahugh, the unit of the census

Neighbouring townlands

Atticonor, Bracklin Little (Co. Offaly), Grange And Kiltober, Lowertown

Placenames

Rahugh on logainm.ie, the Placenames Database of Ireland

Townlands, civil parishes, baronies and electoral divisions, National Statutory Boundaries, Tailte Éireann, 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.