Welcome to Ratoath

Ratoath is a charming townland in the County of Meath, Ireland. Its name comes from the Irish "Ráth Tó", which means "fort of Tó." Isn't that exciting? Just like in the movies, where knights defend their forts!

Long, long ago, before your great-great-grandparents were born, Ratoath was part of a kingdom called Brega. Back then, Ireland was full of small kingdoms, much like the kingdoms in your favourite fairy tales!

In Ratoath, there's an old church ruin, and guess what? It is said to be from the 12th century! That's older than any building you've ever seen! Imagine standing in a place that was once bustling with monks and villagers more than 800 years ago.

Today, Ratoath is a peaceful and friendly place, full of people who care for their town's rich history. They also host a fantastic arts festival every year!

So, even though there might not be knights or kings in Ratoath today, the townland still carries a lot of ancient stories in its heart. Just like a secret treasure chest!

  1. What does the name "Ratoath" mean in Irish?
  2. What was the name of the kingdom that Ratoath was part of long ago?
  3. How old is the church ruin in Ratoath?
  4. What annual event does Ratoath host today?
  5. Even though there aren't any knights or kings in Ratoath today, what does the townland still carry in its heart?

All About Ratoath

Ratoath, a small but mighty village, is nestled in the heart of County Meath, Ireland. Imagine it as a colourful dot on your map, surrounded by beautiful green fields and friendly people.

One of the most famous streets here is Main Street. It's like the spine of our village, connecting everything together. It's here you'll find most of the shops, schools, and even our community centre!

Our village is blessed with nature's bounty. You might spot some hares hopping around or hear the sweet song of the skylark. And if you're a fan of trees, Ratoath has plenty! From mighty oaks to delicate cherry blossoms, our village turns into a painter's palette with different shades of green and pink in spring.

A short walk from Ratoath, you'll find the River Broadmeadow. It's our village's lifeline, providing water for the fields and homes. It's also a favourite playground for ducks and swans.

Did you know Ratoath means "Ringfort of the Rath"? Rath is a large circular earthwork which was used as an ancient fort. Although the fort isn't there anymore, its stories are still told in our village.

I hope you enjoyed our little trip around Ratoath. It might not have big mountains or towering skyscrapers, but it's a place everyone loves to call home.

  1. What does the name 'Ratoath' mean and what does it tell us about the history of the village?
  2. Name two types of wildlife you might encounter in Ratoath.
  3. Using a map, can you locate Main Street, the River Broadmeadow, and the general area where the ancient fort might have been?
  4. What role does the River Broadmeadow play in the village of Ratoath?
  5. Explore the area around Ratoath yourself. Can you find a geographical feature not mentioned in the text? What is it and why do you find it interesting?

My Family and Ratoath

Hi! I'm Danny and I just turned 8! I live in Ratoath Co. Meath and it's really cool. We have the Fairy Tree which is my favourite place. It's a big tree where people leave toys and little notes for the fairies. I left a toy car there once. I hope the fairies liked it.

There are green fields everywhere and I love playing football there with my friends. We also have a big racecourse where lots of horses run fast. I saw a race once and the horses were so big and strong! It was very exciting.

The Hill of Tara is nearby too. We learned in school that it used to be a place for kings a long time ago. It's just a hill now but it feels special when I stand at the top.

I also like our village. It has small shops, a library, and a playground where I swing and slide. It's a nice place to grow up. I hope you can come to Ratoath Co. Meath someday!

  1. What is Danny's favourite place and why?
  2. What activities does Danny enjoy doing in the fields?
  3. Can you describe the experience Danny had at the racecourse?
  4. What did Danny learn about the Hill of Tara?
  5. What are some of the features of Danny's village that he enjoys?

The Logainm of Ratoath

Ratoath is a small, friendly town in County Meath, Ireland. The name 'Ratoath' in Irish is 'Ráth Tó'. Now, you might be wondering what that means. Well, 'Ráth' means 'ringfort' - a circular shaped settlement where people lived a long, long time ago. The 'Tó' part means 'frost'. So, 'Ráth Tó' means 'Ringfort of Frost'. How cool is that?

Many, many years ago, people lived in ringforts as a way to keep safe. These rings, or 'raths', were built with tall wooden fences and were often surrounded by a ditch. Isn't it fascinating to think that where our homes are now, there could have been a big, round, frosty ringfort long ago?

Today, Ratoath is known for its schools, shops, and lovely parks. But, even though it's changed a lot, it still holds on to its interesting name that reminds us of its frosty ringfort past. So, whenever you hear 'Ratoath', remember the ringfort of frost that might have once been right where you stand!

  1. What does the name 'Ratoath' mean in Irish?
  2. What is a 'ringfort'?
  3. Why do you think people in the past lived in ringforts?
  4. How does the name 'Ratoath' link the town to its history?
  5. Can you think of other places that might have interesting stories behind their names?

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