Rathdown (County Dublin barony)

Rathdown is a historical barony located in County Dublin, Ireland. Baronies were administrative divisions of counties, used for various purposes such as land registration and levying taxes. They are no longer used as local government units in Ireland.

The barony of Rathdown is situated in the southeast portion of County Dublin. Geographically, it encompasses a diverse landscape including coastal areas, the foothills of the Dublin Mountains, and settled agricultural land. Historically, it was a significant region due to its proximity to Dublin city and its strategic location along the coast.

While the barony structure is no longer officially utilized for administrative functions, the name "Rathdown" persists in the area. It is used in the names of various local organizations, businesses, and sporting clubs, preserving a sense of historical identity. Some modern uses of the name may loosely correspond to the geographical area historically associated with the barony, but these are not formally defined administrative boundaries. The area is now covered by parts of the administrative areas of Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council and Dublin City Council.

The name "Rathdown" itself is derived from the ringfort (rath) that once existed in the area.