Welcome to Rathwire Lower

Rathwire Lower is a special townland in County Westmeath, Ireland. It's like a piece of a big puzzle that forms Ireland. Each townland has its own story, and so does Rathwire Lower.

Long, long ago, this place was named after an ancient fort called a "rath." A "rath" was a circular fort made by the early Irish people, where they lived and kept safe from enemies. Imagine a large circle of earth, like a big ring, with houses inside!

Rathwire Lower might not have castles or battles in its history, but it has its own quiet charm. It's a place of green fields, babbling brooks and friendly people, where families have lived for generations. People here have farmed the land, raised animals, and built homes for hundreds of years.

Even though Rathwire Lower might not have famous stories, it's still important. Every townland is a piece of the big Irish history puzzle. Each one, just like Rathwire Lower, helps us understand how people lived long ago in Ireland. So, even the smallest place can have a big story to tell!

  1. What is a "rath" and why was it important to the early Irish people?
  2. Describe the landscape of Rathwire Lower.
  3. What kind of activities do people in Rathwire Lower engage in?
  4. Why does the author think that Rathwire Lower is important, even if it doesn't have famous stories?
  5. If you could write a story about Rathwire Lower, what would it be about? Use your imagination and what you've learned in this section to answer.

All About Rathwire Lower

Rathwire Lower is a charming part of County Westmeath, located in Ireland. Imagine walking down the streets there, maybe near the main road called High Street! You might see lots of houses, shops, and maybe even a school just like yours.

In this area, you would find fields full of lush green grass, and in spring, you might even spot some pretty wildflowers. If you're quiet and patient, you might see some local wildlife like rabbits and foxes, or hear the twittering of birds in the trees.

There aren't any big mountains nearby, but Rathwire Lower has some small hills that kids love to roll down. It's also close to a river called the River Brosna. This river is very important for the people living here as it provides water for their homes and fields.

While walking around, you might notice some interesting street furniture like traditional Irish post boxes, painted a bright, shiny green. They're used for mailing letters and postcards.

Rathwire Lower is a great place to learn about how people live in different parts of the world. Just remember, no matter where you go, it's the people and nature that make a place truly special!

  1. What wildlife might you see or hear in Rathwire Lower?
  2. Why is the River Brosna important for the people living in Rathwire Lower?
  3. Describe the street furniture that you might see while walking around Rathwire Lower.
  4. Using a map, can you find other towns or cities that are located near Rathwire Lower?
  5. Explore the area of Rathwire Lower using an online map or a physical map. Can you find a geographical feature or landmark that wasn't mentioned in the text? Describe what you found.

My Family and Rathwire Lower

Hi there, my name is Casey and I am 8 years old. I live in a little village called Rathwire Lower in Co. Westmeath, Ireland. It's a really cool place to grow up because it's so full of history.

Right next to our village is a big old hill called Knock Eyon. It's really fun to climb up to the top and look out over all the fields, houses and roads. You can see everything from up there! My friends and I have races to see who can get to the top first.

There's also St. Etchen's Church, it's really old and has a tall bell tower. Every Sunday, I go there with my family, and sometimes, we get to ring the bell. It's so loud and echoes all across our village. It's my favourite part of Sunday.

There's also a river called the River Brosna. In summer, we go paddling and look for little fish. It's really cool and refreshing. Sometimes we even have picnics beside it.

So, that's my life here in Rathwire Lower. I like it a lot here and I hope you enjoyed reading about it too. Bye for now!

  1. What is the name of the hill near Casey's village and what do they do there?
  2. What is Casey's favourite part about going to St. Etchen's Church?
  3. What activity does Casey do in the River Brosna during summer?
  4. How does Casey feel about living in Rathwire Lower?
  5. What does Casey do with their friends at Knock Eyon?

The Logainm of Rathwire Lower

Rathwire Lower is a special place in County Westmeath, Ireland. Did you know that its name tells a story? It does! The name Rathwire comes from two words in the Irish language. 'Rath' means fort and 'Iar' means west. So, Rathwire means 'West Fort'. Long, long ago, people built forts to protect themselves. Rathwire was a fort in the west, hence its name.

Many years ago, people spoke only Irish. With time, English became more common, and Irish names were translated into English. That's how the 'West Fort' became Rathwire. This name has stuck around for centuries and is still used today. Even though we don't have forts like those in the past, the name reminds us of our history.

Today, Rathwire Lower is a peaceful place. Children go to school, people work and play, and life goes on. But every time someone says 'Rathwire', they are also telling a little piece of Ireland's history. Isn't it interesting that a name can tell such a big story?

  1. What does the name 'Rathwire' mean in English?
  2. Why do you think people built forts long ago?
  3. How did the name 'Rathwire' come from the Irish language?
  4. How does the name 'Rathwire' tell a story about Ireland's history?
  5. Can you think of other places that might have interesting stories behind their names?

Slideshow - Rathwire Lower
A full set of teaching plans for teaching about Rathwire Lower