Rathnaconeen
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Rathnaconeen is a small townland outside the town of Ballina[1]. It is in the parish of Knockmore. The village name comes from the anglicisation of its old Gaelic name, Rath na gCoinín, which translates as 'fort of the rabbits'. This name comes from the traditionally high number of rabbits in the area, and also the location of very visible ringfort at the top of the hill on the village. There was also possibly another fort at the top of the same hill.
Historically, Rathnaconeen was in the old parish of Ballinahaglish, which was in the barony of Lord Tirawley. Following the Poor Law Union of 1852, it was designated as an area of Ballina, but was redesignated as an electoral division of Rural Ballina in 1898. [2] It belongs to the electoral area with node ID 243 called Ballina Rural. [3]Surrounding areas include Carrowntreilla, Rehins, Ballinahaglish, the Commons and Behybaun.[4]
The population of the townland has been traced since 1841 where a population of 53 lived in incredibly only 5 houses. After the famine, the population dropped considerably, being only 18 30 years later. The population subsequently rose, and now it stands at almost 75, with around 30 houses. No more houses are expected to be built.
Rathnaconeen is a cul-de sac which stretches for about a kilometre. The townland is built along the River Moy, the banks of which can walked right into town and provide beautiful views. The area is well kept by the locals of the village, aided by a beautification grant from the County Council.
For such a small area,the socio-economic progress is impressive. The townland boasts a church devoted to the Jehovah Witness faith, multi-million euro concrete business, a car showrooms, two vehicle workshops as well as an agri-hire business. The local population also provide services ranging from taxi services to hairdressers to decorators. The area is ideally located 2 km from Ballina town centre just off the N57. The new Ramada Manor Court hotel is metres away from the end of the Rathnaconeen Road, as is Rehins school, where the children of the local people are almost always educated. The view from the top of Rathnaconeen hill takes in the railroad tracks and the mountain of Nephin, which creates often beautiful sunsets. on the opposite view are the Ox Mountains, behind which the sun rises.
