Welcome to Rathkenny

Rathkenny is a special townland located in County Meath, Ireland. Its name in Irish is "Ráth Cheannaigh", which means "Kenney's fort". Now, you might wonder, "What's a fort?" Well, hundreds of years ago, people built forts for protection, just like you might build a fort with cushions at home!

The history of Rathkenny is very old and interesting. Way back in time, even before your great-great-great-grandparents were born, people lived here during the Stone Age. That's a time when tools were made out of stone, not metal like we use today!

Rathkenny is also known for the Rathkenny Revels, which is a wonderful display of singing, dancing, and fun performances. It started in 1963 and it's still going on today. Imagine that, a party that's been going for over 50 years!

Even though there aren't any big castles or famous battles that happened in Rathkenny, it's still a very special place. It's a wonderful example of how ordinary people have lived, worked, and had fun for thousands of years. Isn't it fascinating to think of all the stories that each old stone and tree could tell in Rathkenny?

  1. What does "Ráth Cheannaigh" mean in English?
  2. What age do people believe was first lived in Rathkenny?
  3. What is the Rathkenny Revels?
  4. Why do you think forts were important hundreds of years ago? (Higher order)
  5. If you could ask an old stone or tree in Rathkenny one question about its past, what would it be and why? (Higher order)

All About Rathkenny

Welcome, young explorers! Today, we're visiting Rathkenny, a small village in County Meath, Ireland. Rathkenny has no towering mountains or wide rivers, but it's still a wonderful place full of nature's beauty.

The village is nestled amongst rolling green fields, perfect for sheep to graze. The countryside is dotted with hedges, where you might spot a robin or a hedgehog hiding amongst the leaves. In the spring, wildflowers like bluebells and daisies bloom, adding splashes of color to the landscape.

Rathkenny is home to the Rathkenny House, a beautiful old building with a rich history. It's not a castle, but it's still exciting to think about the people who lived there long ago!

Despite being a small village, Rathkenny has a few notable streets. The Main Street, for example, is where you can find the local school and the church. There aren't any tall lamp posts or fancy benches, but there are plenty of friendly faces to meet.

The most exciting natural feature in Rathkenny is a special type of soil called turlough. Turlough is a rare kind of soil that can sometimes disappear and then reappear - just like magic!

So, Rathkenny might not have soaring mountains or roaring rivers, but it's a place full of surprises!.

  1. What is the most exciting natural feature in Rathkenny? Describe it in your own words.
  2. What kind of wildlife might you spot in the hedges around Rathkenny?
  3. Using a map, can you find the Main Street in Rathkenny? What landmarks can you identify on it?
  4. Imagine you are an explorer in Rathkenny. What geographical feature would you be interested in investigating? Why?
  5. What kind of flowers bloom in the spring in Rathkenny? How do they contribute to the landscape?

My Family and Rathkenny

Hi! My name is Ollie and I'm 8 years old. I live in a lovely place called Rathkenny in Co. Meath. It's a really neat place to grow up in. There are loads of cool things to see and do!

One of the best things about Rathkenny is the Newgrange, it's a huge stone age tomb that’s older than the pyramids in Egypt! It's super cool to think about how long it's been there. I like to imagine what life was like when it was built. Sometimes, I even pretend I'm a stone age kid exploring the tomb.

We also have the Hill of Tara near us. It's where the ancient kings of Ireland used to live. I love running up and down the hill, it's like I'm a king or queen! It's also a great place for picnics on sunny days.

I think Rathkenny is a really special place. I can't wait to grow up and explore more of it! I hope you'll come visit Rathkenny and see all the cool things it has to offer. Bye for now!

  1. What is Ollie's age and where does Ollie live?
  2. What are some of the landmarks in Rathkenny that Ollie mentions?
  3. Why does Ollie think Newgrange is cool?
  4. How does Ollie feel when running up and down the Hill of Tara?
  5. What does Ollie look forward to as they grow up in Rathkenny?

The Logainm of Rathkenny

Rathkenny is a lovely place in County Meath, Ireland. The name 'Rathkenny' comes from the Irish words 'Ráth Cheanann'. 'Ráth' means 'ringfort', a kind of old home that ancient Irish people lived in. 'Cheanann' is the name of a person. So, 'Rathkenny' means 'Cheanann's ringfort'. Isn't that interesting?

Long ago, people would name places after important people or things that happened there. Cheanann must have been very important! His ringfort would have been a busy place, full of people working, playing, and living their lives.

Today, Rathkenny is still a lively place. The ringfort might be gone, but the people living there still carry on the name of Cheanann. Every time someone says 'Rathkenny', they're remembering Cheanann and his ringfort. It's like a little piece of history that's still alive today!

  1. What does the name 'Rathkenny' mean in English?
  2. What does the 'rath' in 'Rathkenny' refer to?
  3. Who was 'Cheanann' in the name 'Rathkenny'?
  4. Why do you think places were named after important people or things that happened there?
  5. How is the history of Rathkenny still remembered today?

Slideshow - Rathkenny
A full set of teaching plans for teaching about Rathkenny