Rasharkin features in Buile Shuibhne an old Irish tale about the Suibhne mac Colmain, king of the Dál nAraidi, driven insane by St. Ronan's curse. The tale is the final installment of a three-text cycle in medieval Irish literature, continuing on from Fled Dúin na nGéd and Cath Maige Rátha. King Sweeney's homeplace in the tale was Glenbuck that lies just outside Rasharkin. Seamus Heaney published an English version of the tale entitled Sweeney Astray
History
Historically Rasharkin was also spelt as Rosharkin and Rosarkin. It lay within the barony of Kilconway that belonged to the MacDonnells in the 17th Century. Rasharkin also has a rich history and features in Ballymoney's involvement in the Irish Rebellion of 1798.
Gerard Casey, IRA member killed by loyalists in 1989.
Karla Quinn a figure skater. She was crowned as British Junior Ice Skating Champion 2008, British junior silver medallist and the 2006 British junior bronze medalist. She is the first ever female Northern Irish skater to take three British titles at Novice, Primary and Junior levels.
Daithi McKay, Former Sinn FéinAssembly Member for North Antrim. He secured the introduction of a carrier bag levy & rate relief for Amateur Sport Clubs during his tenure.
Tom Ekin former Alliance Mayor of Belfast was raised in Rasharkin and went to school in the nearby townland of Ballymaconnelly.
Rasharkin United F.C. competed in the Ballymena & Provincial League until their disbandment in 2012 and were crowned league champions in 2005. The club was run by Mr. Peter Baird and Chris Peacock.
Demography
2011 Census
It had a population of 1,114 people in the 2011 Census. On Census day in 2011:
75.6% were from a Catholic background and 20.8% were from a Protestant background
2001 Census
Rasharkin is classified as a small village or hamlet by the . On Census day there were 864 people living in Rasharkin. Of these:
24.9% were aged under 16 years and 15.7% were aged 60 and over
48.4% of the population were male and 51.6% were female
73.5% were from a Catholic background and 26.0% were from a Protestant background
6.0% of people aged 16–74 were unemployed.
For more details see:
Churches
There are 4 churches in the village ; Presbyterian, Church of Ireland, Roman Catholic and Free Presbyterian. The Free Presbyterian Church in Rasharkin was one of the first congregations of the new Free Presbyterian Church in 1951 after a damaging split in the Presbyterian Church locally with many opposed to the Minister there Rev Stronge.
