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The Ráth
Cairn Gaeltacht was established in 1935 when 27 families
from Connemara, mostly from Ceantar na nOileán (one of
the Western Seaboard areas designated as a
"Congested District" in terms of
over-population and economic viability) were settled on
land previously acquired by the Land Commission. It was
one of the more visionary ideas of language revival
thinking. Each family was provided with a Land
Commission house and a farm of approximately 22 acres, a
sow, piglets and basic implements. A further 11 families
joined the original settlers in 1937. In all 443 persons
moved from Connemara to new holdings in the Ráth Cairn
area of County Meath during this period. The only
communal structure provided to the resettled Connemara
community was a National School, Scoil Uí Ghrámhnaigh,
still in use today. Otherwise the new Gaeltacht
community was left to fend for itself. |
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was not until 1967 that Ráth Cairn gained official
recognition as a Gaeltacht, following a successful civil
campaign by Craobh Cearta Sibhialta na Gaeltachta, Ráth
Cairn. In 1973 Comharchumann Ráth Cairn (Ráth Cairn
Co-Operation Society) was formed to plan and undertake
developmental activities in the area. As a result, Ráth
Cairn has grown to a small village embracing a community
centre and clubhouse (An Bradán Feasa), a second level
College, an enterprise centre, a Catholic church, and
other facilities including a group water scheme, sports
field and changing rooms, shop, restaurant and
interpretative display centre. |
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Eaglais
Chuimhneacháin Phádraig Naofa, built in 1985. |
Máirtín
Ó Conaire agus Cóil Neaine Pháidín sna 1970í. |
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