RATHFARNE, a village, in the parish of KILLUCAN, barony of FARBILL, county of WESTMEATH, and province of LEINSTER, 4 ½ miles (N.) from Kinnegad, on the road from Killucan to Trim; containing 259 inhabitants. It is situated on the river Deel, which is here crossed by a long causeway or bridge of three arches, and in 1831 contained 45 houses: it is a station of the constabulary police. A market is held on Tuesday for corn, of which a large quantity is sold. Here is one of the two R. C. chapels belonging to the district of Killucan; also a National school. Adjoining the village are the remains of an old castle, the walls of which extended across the river; and at Kilcollan, in the vicinity, are the ruins of a church with a cemetery attached.

(Samuel Lewis, A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland (1837); Transcription © Derek Rowlinson, 2005-10. Reproduced from LibraryIreland. We are deeply grateful to LibraryIreland for allowing us to use their transcription.)