Rasharkin

Coordinates: 54°57′14″N 6°28′48″W / 54.95382°N 6.48°W / 54.95382; -6.48

Rasharkin (from Irish Ros Earcáin, meaning "Earcán's promontory"), is a small village, townland and civil parish in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) south of Ballymoney, near Dunloy and Kilrea. It had a population of 1,114 people in the 2011 Census.

History

Historically Rasharkin was also spelt as Rosharkin and Rosarkin. Rasharkin also has a rich history and features in Ballymoney's involvement in the Irish Rebellion of 1798.

The Troubles

A total of 3 people were killed in the village of Rasharkin during the period known as The Troubles. One was a member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), and one a member of the Royal Irish Regiment (RIR), both killed by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) on separate occasions. The other, Gerard Casey was a member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), and was killed by the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF).

Politics

Rasharkin is in the Borough of Ballymoney and has two Councillors based in the village; Daithí McKay of Sinn Féin and Roy Wilson of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). The village forms part of the North Antrim constituency and the elected MP is DUP party member Ian Paisley, Jr. In recent years there has been opposition to Orange Order parades in the village, from segments of the majority Catholic population. There have been sectarian attacks in the village. The local Orange Hall has been targeted 23 times in the last two years.