Raheenyhooig Grave Yard, Dotted Outline — Ráithín Uí Bhuaigh

Raheenyhooig graveyard/Ráithín Uí Bhuaigh: The graveyard (KE053-059002-) described in the OSNB (Dingle, book 2, 6) as about 2.5 chains (50m) in diameter, with a roughly circular 'old ditch' around it, had been enclosed within a rectangular enclosure by 1896 (2nd edition, OS map). An Seabhac (1939, 41) referred to the site as a rath (KE053-059001-), but there is now no trace of any such monument. In 2010 a graveyard survey carried out by Laurence Dunne recorded the following details: 'Raheenyhooig (Ráithín Uí Bhuaigh) Graveyard is situated on elevated ground, at 50m OD, sloping towards and overlooking Dingle Harbour 0.8km to the north. Examination of the 2nd Edition of 1896 clearly shows the enormous changes that Lord Ventry made in 1870 including the planting of trees, construction of squared off enclosing banks and new roadway as well as the Ventry mausoleum-denoted ‘Vault’ on the map. An ‘L’ shaped pathway is also shown. Of particular interest is the denotation of the remains of the previous enclosure [KE053-059001-] or raheen of the burial ground by a curving array of hachures. In the course of this study a coherent section of the early enclosure and at least thirty archaeological artefacts (mainly cross-slabs) were recorded at Raheenyhooig. The small almost square graveyard of Raheenyhooig is still in use today although not very often. The graveyard is situated on a hillside and is demarcated on three sides by tall mature trees that were planted circa 1870 by Dayrolles Blakeney de Moleyns, the 4th Lord Ventry when he undertook major alterations to the earlier burial ground that was enclosed in an earthen enclosure, possibly a ringfort. The interior of the graveyard is complex and comprises of three distinct areas:- (a) the more recent perimeter burial areas relating to the enlargement of the burial ground by Lord Ventry circa 1870 i.e. along all the current boundaries; (b) comprises an inner platform area that rises significantly over the entrance and roadside area to the NE and is partially enclosed or delimited by a high earthen bank circa 3m externally; the third area also comprises a raised platform also enclosed by the remains of a low curving bank within which is the greatest concentration of early burials, denoted by cross-slabs, notched headstones and unhewn headstones as well as a number of tombs and burials up to around the mid 19th century, prior to the enlargement by Lord Ventry. A recently constructed, wide, gravelled path extends around the internal perimeter. Some open graves were covered during the recent works at the graveyard with concrete slabs. However, several of them were poorly set in place and some have slipped while others have partially fallen in to the graves they were supposed to cover. A curving or crescential section of a steep sided earthen bank extends in a general NW-SE direction. This bank no doubt reflects the relict remains of the original raheen or ráithín-little-fort, (from which the first element of the name Raheenyhooig is derived from). The second element in the name appears to be a personal name-Uí Bhuaigh. All of the early burials are concentrated within this area while the more recent burials, i.e. interments since the latter half of the 19th century, are disposed around the SE sector by the Ventry mausoleum or along the perimeter of the graveyard. Raheenyhooig Graveyard is bounded on three sides (north-west, south-west and south-east by an earthen bank behind which are expansive mature trees, mainly sycamore. The front roadside or north-east boundary is low and built of earth and stone and surmounted in fuchsia and other vegetation. The entrance to Raheenyhooig is through a pair of modern galvanised gates that are set between two square, capped and rendered piers. In the course of this survey fifteen previously unrecorded cross-slabs were recorded in Raheenyhooig alone, several of which date to the 7th – 8th centuries AD. A single holed-stone (135), 0.35m H x 0.30m W x 0.06m T, was recorded in Raheenyhooig Graveyard within the upper southern limits of the earlier enclosure. Holed or perforated stones, while a facet of early ecclesiastical sites, are not very common and not well understood. Some notable examples include the early cross inscribed pillars slabs and ogham stones at Reask, Kilfountain and Kilmalkedar. The Dingle Archaeological Survey recorded a holed stone in the nearby, early ecclesiastical site of Maumanorig, that, unfortunately, it is now missing. Three other similar holed-stones were recorded by the writer at nearby Kildrum Graveyard' (Dunne 2010, 3-14). See attached plan and photographs courtesy of Laurence Dunne The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 908. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Revised by: Caimin O'Brien based on details provided by Laurence Dunne Date of revised upload: 28 June 2022