In terms of religious denomination, 13 were Roman Catholic, 4 were Church of Ireland, 2 were Methodist and 1 was Presbyterian. The four oldest Roman Catholic residents (aged between 40 and 84) indicated that they spoke both English and Irish, but whether this represents survival of native Irish in the area is unknown. In addition, there was a creamery (see Further Notes below). The Census of Ireland, 1911 reveals that the population of Rakeeranbeg had fallen to 14 since the last census, of which 7 were male and 7 were female. Four houses were occupied, one dwelling house was unoccupied, and the creamery is named as 'Rathkeeranbeg Auxiliary Creamery'. Nine of the residents were recorded as Roman Catholic whilst the remaining five are listed as 'Other Persuasion' (two of these were listed as Church of Ireland in 1901). These individuals of 'Other Persuasion' are remembered by current residents as being 'Dippers' who engaged in baptisms in the local river. Although two of the Roman Catholics who indicated that they spoke Irish in the 1901 census appear again in 1911, no proficiency in Irish is noted for them or any of the other residents of the townland. The road to the area was eventually tarred, and later railway service ended. The population of Rakeeranbeg as of 10 June 2010 was 5 persons. Flora and fauna Birds In the Bird Atlas 2007-11 survey, the following species were recorded in Rakeeranbeg: Winter: Whooper swan (fly-over), mallard, cormorant, grey heron, hen harrier, sparrowhawk, buzzard, peregrine falcon, lapwing, snipe, woodcock, feral pigeon, woodpigeon, kingfisher, meadow pipit, grey wagtail, pied wagtail, dipper, wren, dunnock, robin, stonechat, blackbird, fieldfare, song thrush, redwing, mistle thrush, goldcrest, long-tailed tit, coal tit, blue tit, great tit, treecreeper, magpie, jackdaw, rook, hooded crow, raven, starling, common chaffinch, goldfinch, siskin, lesser redpoll, bullfinch, reed bunting Summer: Grey heron, sparrowhawk, buzzard, lesser black-backed gull, feral pigeon, woodpigeon, cuckoo, swift, sand martin, swallow, house martin, meadow pipit, grey wagtail, pied wagtail, dipper, wren, robin, stonechat, blackbird, song thrush, mistle thrush, grasshopper warbler, sedge warbler, blackcap, willow warbler, goldcrest, spotted flycatcher, long-tailed tit, coal tit, blue tit, great tit, treecreeper, jay, magpie, jackdaw, rook, hooded crow, starling, house sparrow, chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch, lesser redpoll, bullfinch, reed bunting A number of species historically bred in the area, but are now extinct (or only occur occasionally), including corn crake, barn owl and grey partridge. Further notes The