Rasharkin
| Rasharkin | |
| County Antrim | |
|---|---|
 Main Street | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | C971134 |
| Location: | 54°57’14"N, 6°28’48"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 1,114 (2011) |
| Post town: | Ballymena |
| Postcode: | BT44 |
| Dialling code: | 028 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Causeway Coast & Glens |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
North Antrim |
Rasharkin is a small village and townland in County Antrim, eight miles south of Ballymoney, near Dunloy and Kilrea. It had a population of 1,114 people at the 2011 Census.
The name of the place is from the Gaelic Ros Earcáin, meaning 'Earcán's promontory'.[1]
Folklore
Rasharkin features in Buile Shuibhne an old Irish tale about the Suibhne mac Colmain (King Sweeney), king of the Dál nAraidi, who was driven insane by St Ronan's curse. The tale is the final instalment of a three-text cycle in mediæval Irish literature, continuing on from Fled Dúin na nGéd ('The Feast of Dun na nGéd') and Cath Maige Rátha ('The Battle of Mag Rath').
In Buile Shuibhne, King Sweeney's homeplace was Glenbuckm which lies just outside Rasharkin. Seamus Heaney published an English version of the tale entitled 'Sweeney Astray'.
History
Historically Rasharkin was also spelt as Rosharkin and Rosarkin. It is within the barony of Kilconway that belonged to the MacDonnells in the 17th Century.
Rasharkin features in Ballymoney's involvement in the Irish Rebellion of 1798.
About the village
- Craigs Dolmen is found three miles north of Rasharkin: it is a passage tomb featuring a big capstone on seven upright stones.[2]
Sport
- Gaelic Athletics: Naomh Mhuire (St Mary's), which has hurling, camogie and Gaelic football teams
- Football: Rasharkin United F.C., until their disbandment in 2012
Churches
There are four churches in the village:
- Church of Ireland
- Free Presbyterian
- Presbyterian
- Roman Catholic
The Free Presbyterian Church in Rasharkin was one of the first congregations of the new Free Presbyterian Church in 1951 after a damaging split in the Presbyterian Church locally, when many of the congregation opposed the Minister there, Rev Stronge.
Outside links
References
- ↑ Rasharkin - Placenames NI
- ↑ Craigs Dolmen, Rasharkin - The Causeway Coast and Glens
