Rahan, County Offaly

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Rahan (Irish: Raithean ) is a parish/village, associated with Mochuda (also known as St. Carthage), which is located on the banks of the Grand Canal about 5 miles from Tullamore, in County Offaly, Ireland.

St. Mochuda, or Carthage founded his monastery in Rahan in the 5th century.

Although Carthage himself left the area with a large number of monks following disagreements with neighbouring clergy and political figures, the monastery he established remained in existence and went on to become a significant centre for religious learning. St. Carthage relocated to Lismore in Co. Waterford where he established another monastery which went on to become a major university and important religious centre. He is still venerated in Rahan and Lismore as the Patron Saint. His feast day is May 14th.

The original wooden churches were replaced with stone buildings. Some of these buildings survive to this day.

The remains of church buildings, dating from the 11th and 12th centuries, can be seen near the river bridge in the centre of Rahan. The Church which can be seen from the road was taken over by the Church of Ireland at some time after the penal laws outlawing the practice of Roman Catholic faith were enacted in Ireland and is occasionally used today. A mass rock (where mass was said while the Penal Laws were in effect)can be found near the Present Catholic Church in the Killina townland, approximately one mile southeast of the ancient churches.

Rahan also has a long association with the Jesuit community who founded a seminary there in the early 19th century and with the Presentation Sisters who founded a convent and school in the early 19th century, both of which have survived to this day.

Coordinates: 53°17′N, 7°38′W