Raheen, County Laois

Raheen is a small village south of Portlaoise in County Laois, Ireland.

History
The Gothic revival Roman Catholic parish church of Raheen is dedicated to St. Fintan and dates from 1857. The first Catholic church, a thatched chapel, was built in 1729 on a site granted by a Protestant family named Baldwin. Mr. Baldwin granted the land after seeing poor Catholics assembled at Mass in a deep pit, which is called the Mass Pit even to the present time.

The poorer sort of Irish natives," wrote an English tourist in 1746, "are Roman Catholics, who make no scruple to assemble in the open fields. As we passed yesterday in a by-road, we saw a priest under a tree, with a large assembly about him, celebrating Mass in his proper habit; and though at a great distance from him, we heard him distinctly. These sort of people seem to be very solemn and sincere in their religion.

The graveyard in the village marks the site of the old thatched chapel.

Education
There is one primary school, Tobar an Léinn, located in the area.

Sport
St. Fintans, Colt GAA is the local Gaelic football and hurling club. Raheen F.C is a local association football (soccer) club.