Raheen-a-Cluig facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Raheen-a-Cluig |
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| Raheenac[h]luig Church, Raheen na gClig, Raheen na Clig | |
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Ráithín an Chloig
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Raheen-a-Cluig viewed from the north
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 Raheen-a-Cluig
Location in Ireland
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| 53°11′38″N 6°05′26″W / 53.193786°N 6.090484°W | |
| 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 an old church from the Middle Ages. It is located in Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland. Today, it is a National Monument, which means it's a very important historical site protected by the country.
Where is Raheen-a-Cluig?
Raheen-a-Cluig is found on the northern side of Bray Head. It sits in an area called Raheen Park. The church is about 300 meters (328 yards) south of the beach. From its spot, you can see a great view of the coastline.
History of the Church
People believe Raheen-a-Cluig was built a long time ago, between the 12th and 13th centuries. Its name comes from the Irish words Ráithín an Chloig. This means "little fort of the bell." However, there's no sign of a fort ever being there. The word Ráithín can also mean a wall made of turf, or it might be linked to raithean, which means "ferny area."
The church was given to a group of monks called the Augustines. This gift came from the important Archbold family of that time. It might have been dedicated to St Michael or St Brendan.
In the 1700s, parts of the church were fixed up. Over the years, it was also used as a secret hiding place by smugglers. There are even some local ghost stories connected to the old church!
About the Church Building
The church is now in ruins, but you can still see some of its features. It has a doorway in its northeast wall. This doorway would have once held a strong wooden door. There are also round-shaped windows in the east and west gables (the triangular parts of the wall at the end of a roof).
Close to the church, there were two smaller buildings and an enclosed area. This area was likely a cillín. A cillín was a special burial ground. It was used for people who died in unusual ways, like shipwrecked sailors or strangers. It was also used for babies who passed away before they could be baptized.
About 400 meters (a quarter mile) southeast of the church, there was a holy well called Patrick’s Well. People still used this well in the 1830s, especially those who were sick.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de Raheen-a-Cluig para niños
