Rathnew

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Rathnew
Ráth Naoi

Location

WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates:
52.9906° N 6.0853° W

Irish Grid Reference
T285952

Statistics

71m

Population (2002)
- Town:
- Rural:

1,411
n/a

Rathnew Village

Rathnew (Ráth Naoi, or "The Ring Fort of Naoi" in Irish) is a village of County Wicklow in the Republic of Ireland. Located south of the capital Dublin along the N11 between Dublin and Wexford, it is the exit point for those wishing to visit the county town of Wicklow, situated 3 km to the East.

The town is justifiably proud of its Gaelic football team, having won the Wicklow Senior Provincial Championship no less than 27 times, most recently in 2003. The club hopes that 2006 wins promotion for their Junior team.

The locals are famous for their gift of the gab and can often be heard to tell stories, which may seem exaggerated to the undiscerning visitor, but which are also usually true. It is a traditional working class village but due to a strong history in trades and construction has managed to benefit greatly from the "Celtic tiger" economy. Traditionally, Rathnew has been seen as a tight, religious working class village, with a strong sense of community - consolidated by its small size and a pride in "The Village", which at times borders on fervent nationalism. The people are in the main warm, friendly and humble. Indeed, the criticisms that it might merit, such as a bad local litter problem, merely reflect the nation's and the world's problems as a whole.

Rathnew is currently home to Gaelscoil Chill Mhantáin, Ireland's first inter-denominational primary school, established in 1996, and celebrating its 10th anniversary in the 2006-2007 schoolyear. The school draws pupils from Rathdrum, Brittas and Newcastle, as well as Rathnew. It is quartered temporarily in the village on part of a site that has been earmarked for a new co-educational national school.

Of late the identity of Rathnew, like much of Ireland, has been undergoing a process of change. This is mainly due to much local residential and industrial development, an influx of workers from the Dublin commuter belt and a reduction in the influence of the Catholic Church.

There is much rivalry with Wicklow town, owing as much to the GAA as historical class / country versus town differences. However, like most local rivalries this is largely cosmetic and many people from both "sides" often enjoy a pint together.

Since late 2006 Cleremont Convent, previously a private Secondary School for girls, has reopened on the same grounds as a Third Level College affiliated to Carlow RTC.