Raheenacluig Church (in Ruins)

National Monument in state ownership No. 262. Situated on a small level platform overlooking a marked NE-facing slope with steep ground uphill to the SW. A nave and chancel church (L 10.8m; Wth 5.9m) with walls of irregular uncoursed masonry (H 1.5-2.5m; Wth 0.85m). The gables are substantially intact. The door in the N wall, which is slightly W of the centre, splays inwards and parts of the cut granite jambs survive. There are simple round-headed windows in the E and W gables and a single niche occurs in the S wall towards the W end. The church has been substantially conserved. A rectangular area of rubble and mortar (dims. 4m x 2m) immediately E of the church may represent the foundations of another building. The church is known as Raithín a' Chluig, or 'little rath of the bell'. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 17 December 2008