| Castlerahan | |
| Native Name: | Caisleán Raithin (Irish) |
| Settlement Type: | Barony |
| Subdivision Type: | Sovereign state |
| Subdivision Name: | Ireland |
| Subdivision Type1: | Province |
| Subdivision Name1: | Ulster |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Cavan |
| Area Total Km2: | 280.36 |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 108.25 |
Castlerahan ([1]) is a barony in County Cavan, Ireland.[2] Baronies were mainly cadastral rather than administrative units. They acquired modest local taxation and spending functions in the 19th century before being superseded by the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898.[3] [4]
Castlerahan barony takes its name from Castlerahan townland, from Castlera[c]han, an ancient hillfort located at . The name is derived from Irish Caisleán Raithín, "stone fort of the little ringfort," although other writers link it with raithean, "bracken", or with a Norse Gael leader named Raithin.[5] [6]
Castlerahan is located in the southeast of County Cavan, the area surrounding Lough Ramor.[7]
The Luigni tribe lived in the area since the 8th century. It contains the parish of Munterconnaught, named for Cu Connaght Ua Raghallaigh (O'Reilly).[8] The barony of Castlerahan was created by 1609 in the Plantation of Ulster, and was archaically spelled Castlerachan.[9]
The barony gives its name to Castlerahan GAA, based in Ballyjamesduff.[10]
Below is a list of settlements in Castlerahan: