Rakeeranbeg (, ), or Rathkeeranbeg (, ; ) is a townland in the Dromore area in County Tyrone in Northern Ireland. It is situated in the barony of Omagh East and the civil parish of Dromore and covers an area of 180 acres. Geography Rakeeranbeg lies midway between the villages of Dromore and Fintona in western County Tyrone (Irish Grid Reference H3860). It is bordered by the townlands Cornamucklagh, Tullyclunagh and Lissaneden. It is bounded on the west side by a tributary of the Owenreagh River known as the Shannaragh or Aghlisk River, on the north side by a small burn, and on the southeast side by bog. The northern and western edges of the townland, adjacent to the river and burn, consist of flat 'holmes' which are prone to flooding, whilst the centre of the townland is dominated by a low drumlin (at just over 100m above sea-level). Other than the bog, the land, which is divided by hedgerows of hawthorn and ash into small fields, is used for cattle grazing, although historically potatoes, oats, flax and turnips were grown. The bog was traditionally used as a source of turf for fuel, and consists of a mix of raised bog, marsh and birch and willow carr. Two minor roads run through the townland, Rakeeran Road and Corbally Road (locally known as 'the Bog Road'). It also has an abandoned railway and farmsteads and houses. History The fort which gave Rakeeranbeg its name is no longer apparent (nor are there any rowan trees), but it is clearly marked on maps from 1830 and 1850. Research suggests that ringforts in Ulster were typically constructed between 600AD and 900AD, giving an indication of the length of settlement in Rakeeranbeg. The name of the townland was first recorded in 1609, as Rathkerhinn, and subsequently the name was recorded in 1610 (?Rathkirhin), 1613 (?Rathkirhin), 1655 (Rakeran beg), 1661 (Rakerranbegg), 1666 (Rikirran), 1730 (Rakerinbegg), and 1784 (Rakeeranbeg). Additional data is available from the 1830 and 1850 maps covering the area, and railway service was provided during the 19th century. In 1841 the population of the townland was 57 people (9 houses) and in 1851 it was 53 people (9 houses). In the Census of Ireland, 1901, the population of Rakeeranbeg (spelt Rathkeeranbeg) was 21, of which 10 were male and 11 were female. Five houses were occupied, with 7, 4, 4, 3 and 3 residents.