Raheen, County Laois 2.88

Raheen is a small village in County Laois south of Portlaoise in IrelandHistoryRaheen has an imposing Catholic church, dating from 1857. The first Catholic church, a thatched chapel, was built in 1729; the site was granted by a Protestant family named Baldwin. Mr. Baldwin granted the land after seeing poor Catholics assembled at Mass in a deep pit, which is called The Mass Pit even to the present time.The grave-yard in the village marks the site of the old thatched chapel.Education There is one primary school, Tobar an Léinn, located in the area. SportColt GAA club and Raheen F.C are the local gaelic football, hurling and soccer clubs.