Raheen-a-Cluig
Raheen-a-Cluig is a medieval church and National Monument in Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland.[2]
| Raheen-a-Cluig | |
|---|---|
| Raheenac[h]luig Church, Raheen na gClig, Raheen na Clig | |
Ráithín an Chloig | |
 Raheen-a-Cluig viewed from the north | |
  Raheen-a-Cluig | |
| 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 |
| Official name | Raheenachluig (Bray) |
| Reference no. | 262[1] |
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.
