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RAI
is of a pleasing character, embracing the mountains of
Cadeen and Lugnaquilla, in the adjoining county of
Wicklow.
RAHOON, a parish, partly in the barony of MOY-
CULLEN, county of GALWAY, but chiefly in the county
of the town of GALWAY, and province of CONNAUGHT,
3½ miles (W.) from Galway, on the road to Oughterard;
containing, with the village of Freeport, and Mutton
Island, 14,135 inhabitants. This place is situated on
the bay of Galway, and partly on the road along the
coast. The village of Freeport was much frequented as
a fishing station; there is still a quay, which was erected
by the Fishery Board, but it is at present of very little use
and much out of repair. Mutton island, in the harbour
of Galway, is connected with the main land by a ridge
of sand which is dry at low water, and a light has been
placed on it to facilitate the navigation of the bay. The
parish comprises 24,000 statute acres of land, which is
of very inferior quality and principally in pasture. Fairs
are held at Barna on the 5th of Feb., May, Aug., and
Nov. It is a rectory and perpetual curacy, in the dio-
cese of Tuam; the rectory forming part of the union of
St. Nicholas, or wardenship of Galway; and the perpe-
tual curacy, part of the union of Kilcummin. The tithes
amount to £117. 1. 6., and the glebe comprises 34
statute acres. In the R, C. divisions it is in the diocese
of Galway, and co-extensive with that of the Established
Church: there are two chapels, situated respectively at
Bushy Park and at Barna; and a Presentation convent,
in which is a school for poor girls, who are gratuitously
instructed by the ladies of that institution. About 580
children are taught in three public schools, of which
that held in the convent is in connection with the New
Board of Education, and one is partly supported by the
parish priest, for which a house rent-free was bequeath-
ed by the Rev. Mr. Morney, P. P.; there are also seven
private schools, in which are about 250 children.
RAHUE, BATHUE, or RATHUGH, a parish, in
the barony of MOYCASHEL, county of WESTMEATH, and
province of LEINSTER, 4¼ miles (S. by E.) from Kilbeg-
gan, on the road to Philipstown; containing 1129 inha-
bitants. A monastery was founded here in the sixth
century by St. Aid, who died in 588. The parish com-
prises 3898 statute acres; the soil is in general light,
and there is a small portion of bog; the state of agricul-
ture is rather backward. A branch from the Grand
canal at Ballycommon passes through it. It is a vicarage,
in. the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of
Ardnurcher; the rectory is impropriate in the Marquess
of Downshire. The tithes amount to £101. 10. 9½., of
which £64. 12. 3½. is payable to the impropriator, and
the remainder to the vicar. In the R. C. divisions it is
part of the union or district of Kilbeggan; the chapel
is at Little Ross, and there is a meeting-house for
Baptists at Rathugh. About 70 children are educated
in three private schools. At Rathugh are two large
raths, or moats, from which this place derives its name,
and there is a third at a short distance. One of these,
which is very remarkable, is supposed to have been the
mausoleum of a native prince. At Ballybroider are
vestiges of an old fortified house, and of another at
Little Ross.
RAIGH, or ROY, an island, in the parish of MEVAGH,
barony of KILMACRENAN, county of DONEGAL, and
province of ULSTER, 5 miles (N. E.) from Glen: the
482
RAM
population is returned with the parish. It is situated in
Mulroy bay, and contains about 86 statute acres of pas-
ture land. At low water the strand between it and the
main land is dry.
RALOO, or RALLOO, a parish, in the barony of
LOWER BELFAST, county of ANTRIM, and province of
ULSTER, 5¼ miles (N.) from Carrickfergus; containing
2171 inhabitants. It comprises, according to the Ord-
nance survey, 6l05¾ statute acres of land, of which
about one-fourth is of good and one-fourth of medium
quality, and the remainder boggy and mountainous. It
is a rectory, in the diocese of Connor, constituting part
of the union of Carrickfergus and corps of the deanery
of Connor: the tithes amount to £148.12. In the R. C.
divisions it is part of the union or district of Larne and
Carrickfergus. At Toreagh, Ballyvallagh, and Lough-
morn, are schools under the National Board, in which
about 180 children are educated; and there are three
private schools, in which are about 100 children.
RAMELTON, a market and post-town, in the parish
of AUGHNISH, barony of KILMACRENAN, county of DO-
NEGAL, and province of ULSTER, 19 miles (N. N. W.)
from Lifford, and 123½ (N. W. by N.) from Dublin;
containing 1783 inhabitants. Sir Wm. Stewart, Knt.,
who was much in favour with Jas. I., became an under-
taker for the plantation of escheated lands, of which he
obtained a grant or patent of 1000 acres in this vicinity,
and was created a baronet of Ireland in 1623. At the
time of Pynnar's Survey he had built a strong bawn
here, 80 feet square and 16 feet high, with four flankers
and a strong and handsome castle; and contiguous to
these he had built the town, then containing 45 houses,
inhabited by 57 British families; he had also nearly
completed the erection of a church: the place was then
considered well situated for military defence. The town
stands on the river Lenon, which here empties itself
into Lough Swilly, and is navigable for small vessels: it
consists of three streets, containing 341 houses, and is
admirably adapted for manufactures of every descrip-
tion. Here are extensive corn-mills, a brewery, bleach-
green, and linen manufactory, and a considerable quan-
tity of linen is made by hand, in the vicinity. A market
for provisions is held on Tuesday, and on Thursday and
Saturday for corn; and fairs are held on the Tuesday
next after May 20th, Nov. 15th, and on the Tuesday
after Dec. 11th. A chief constabulary police force is
stationed in the town, and petty sessions are held on
alternate Thursdays. There is a small salmon fishery,
producing about £500 annually; the fish are considered
to be in season throughout the year, and are mostly
exported to England. In the town are the parochial
church, meeting-houses for Presbyterians in connection
with the Synod of Ulster (of the first class) and for
Methodists, a small fever hospital, and a dispensary. A
loan fund has been established; also a ladies' society and
a shop for the sale of clothes at reduced prices to the
poor. The parochial and Presbyterian schools, noticed
in the article on Aughnish, are also in the town. On
the shore of Lough Swilly is Fort Stewart, the residence
of Sir Jas. Stewart, Bart., surrounded by an extensive
and well planted demesne; and at a short distance to
the north-east is Fort Stewart Castle, erected by Sir
Wm. Stewart, the original patentee of the surrounding
lands. Pearls of considerable value are occasionally
found in the river Lenon.