Rathvilly (barony)

Rathvilly barony takes its name from the village of Rathvilly, which derive from the Irish language Ráth Bhile, meaning "rath of the sacred tree".[1]

Rathvilly is found in north-east County Carlow. It contains the rivers Slaney and Derreen.

Rathvilly barony is bordered by the following baronies: to the west by Carlow; to the south by Forth; to the north by Upper Talbotstown; to the east by Ballinacor South; to the southeast by Shillelagh; and to the northwest by Kilkea and Moone.

In the 5th century, Crimthan, King of Leinster, lived at Rathvilly. The territory was that of the Uí Felmelda Tuaid, a Uí Cheinnselaig sept descended from Feidlimidh son of Enna Ceansalagh and brother of Crimthan. The MacKeoghs here were chief bards of the Kings of Leinster. An O'Neill family was cantered here.[2]

Below is a list of settlements in Rathvilly barony:

• Clonmore
• Hacketstown
• Rathvilly
• Tullow