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Raheen-a-Cluig facts for kids

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Raheen-a-Cluig
Raheenac[h]luig Church, Raheen na gClig, Raheen na Clig
Ráithín an Chloig
Raheenachluig Church. Bray.jpg
Raheen-a-Cluig viewed from the north
Raheen-a-Cluig is located in Ireland
Raheen-a-Cluig
Raheen-a-Cluig
Location in Ireland
53°11′38″N 6°05′26″W / 53.193786°N 6.090484°W / 53.193786; -6.090484
Location Newcourt, Bray, County Wicklow
Country Ireland
Denomination Pre-Reformation Catholic
History
Founded c. 1200
Dedication St Michael or St Brendan
Architecture
Functional status ruined
Style Norman
Years built 13th century
Specifications
Length 12.5 m (41 ft)
Width 5.3 m (17 ft)
Height 2 m (6 ft 7 in)
Number of floors 1
Floor area 66 m2 (710 sq ft)
Materials stone
Administration
Diocese Dublin

Raheen-a-Cluig is a medieval church and National Monument in Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland.

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 1875
c. 1875 photo with Bray promenade in background

Raheen-a-Cluig is believed to have been built in the 12th–13th century AD. 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.

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 those who died by their own hand, 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.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Iglesia de Raheen-a-Cluig para niños

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