Raheen-a-Cluig is a medieval church and National Monument in Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland.[2]
Location
Raheen-a-Cluig lies on the north face of Bray Head in Raheen Park, about 300 m (330 yd) south of the beach, with a commanding view over the coastline.
History
Raheen-a-Cluig is believed to have been built in the 12th–13th century AD.[3] The name derives from the Irish Ráithín an Chloig. This would mean "little fort of the bell", but there is no sign of a fort. Ráithín can also refer to a wall of built-up sods of turf, or it could be a version of raithean, "ferny area". It was given to the Augustines by the then prominent Archbold family. It may have been dedicated to St Michael or St Brendan.[4][5]
It was partially restored in the 18th century. Over the years it has also been used as a hideout by smugglers, and it associated with various ghost stories.
Church
The ruins have a doorway in the northeast wall which would have originally held a strong timber door, and round-headed windows in the east and west gables.
There were two smaller buildings close by and so is an enclosure: probably a cillín: a burial ground for suicides, shipwrecked sailors, strangers, unrepentant murderers and unbaptised babies.
About a 400 m (¼ mile) southeast of the church there was a holy well, known as Patrick’s Well. This was still used in the 1830s, mostly by invalids.[6]
References
- ^ "National Monuments of County Wicklow in State Care" (PDF). heritageireland.ie. National Monument Service. p. 2. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
- ^ "Raheen a Cluig church Bray head c1875". www.flickr.com.
- ^ "Raheen na Clig". Irish Stones. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
- ^ "Ireland In Ruins: Raheen-A-Cluig Church Co Wicklow". irelandinruins.blogspot.ie.
- ^ "Raheen-a-Cluig Card Print". www.etsy.com.
- ^ "Bygone Tour of Bray - Bray at the heart of it". www.bray.ie.
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