Population 1,114 (2011 Census) County County Antrim Sovereign state United Kingdom Local time Friday 11:20 PM Province Ulster Ni assembly North Antrim | Irish grid reference C971134 Country Northern Ireland Post town BALLYMENA District Ballymoney Dialling code 28 UK parliament constituency North Antrim | |
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Weather 4°C, Wind S at 3 km/h, 69% Humidity | ||
Rasharkin (from Irish Ros Earcáin, meaning 'Earcán's promontory'), is a small village, townland and civil parish in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) south of Ballymoney, near Dunloy and Kilrea. It had a population of 1,114 people in the 2011 Census.
Contents
- Map of Rasharkin Ballymena UK
- Folklore
- History
- The Troubles
- Politics
- Places of interest
- People
- Sport
- 2011 Census
- 2001 Census
- Churches
- References
Map of Rasharkin, Ballymena, UK
Folklore
Rasharkin features in Buile Shuibhne an old Irish tale about the Suibhne mac Colmain, king of the Dál nAraidi, driven insane by St. Ronan's curse. The tale is the final installment of a three-text cycle in medieval Irish literature, continuing on from Fled Dúin na nGéd (The Feast of Dun na nGéd) and Cath Maige Rátha (The Battle of Mag Rath).
King Sweeney's homeplace in the tale was Glenbuck that lies just outside Rasharkin. Seamus Heaney published an English version of the tale entitled Sweeney Astray
History
Historically Rasharkin was also spelt as Rosharkin and Rosarkin.
It lay within the barony of Kilconway that belonged to the MacDonnells in the 17th Century.
Rasharkin also has a rich history and features in Ballymoney's involvement in the Irish Rebellion of 1798.
The Troubles
A total of 3 people were killed in the village of Rasharkin during the period known as The Troubles. One was a member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), and one a member of the Royal Irish Regiment (RIR), both killed by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) on separate occasions. The other, Gerard Casey was a member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), and was killed by the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF).
Politics
The village forms part of the North Antrim constituency and the elected MP is DUP party member Ian Paisley, Jr. In recent years there has been opposition to Orange Order parades in the village, from segments of the majority Catholic population. There have been sectarian attacks in the village. The local Orange Hall has been targeted 23 times in the last two years.
On 12 July 2009, three police officers were injured after being attacked at an Orange parade at Rasharkin, sustaining minor injuries from stones and bricks thrown by youths. Petrol bombs were also thrown and one man was arrested.
In September 2010, the home of Chris Baird's mother was petrol bombed. Also, Saint Mary's chapel was paint bombed.
Places of interest
People
Sport
2011 Census
It had a population of 1,114 people (394 households) in the 2011 Census.
2001 Census
Rasharkin is classified as a small village or hamlet by the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) (i.e. with population between 500 and 1,000 people). On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 864 people living in Rasharkin. Of these:
For more details see: NI Neighbourhood Information Service
Churches
There are 4 churches in the village ; Presbyterian, Church of Ireland, Roman Catholic and Free Presbyterian.
The Free Presbyterian Church in Rasharkin was one of the first congregations of the new Free Presbyterian Church in 1951 after a damaging split in the Presbyterian Church locally with many opposed to the Minister there Rev Stronge.