Ray, Templeport

Ray is traversed by minor roads, rural lanes and the disused Cavan and Leitrim Railway.

[1] In medieval times the McGovern barony of Tullyhaw was divided into economic taxation areas called ballibetoes, from the Irish Baile Biataigh (Anglicized as 'Ballybetagh'), meaning 'A Provisioner's Town or Settlement'.

The original purpose was to enable the farmer, who controlled the baile, to provide hospitality for those who needed it, such as poor people and travellers.

The historical spellings of the ballybetagh are Ballymackgawran & Ballimacgawran (Irish = Baile Mhic Shamhráin = McGovern's Town).

In medieval times Ray formed part of the modern townland of Porturlan, together with other subdivisions called Killcroghan (from Irish either Cill Cruachán or Coill Cruachán meaning 'The Wood of the Round Hill' or "The Church of the Round Hill") and Alico.

A grant dated 30 January 1668 was made from King Charles II of England to William Chambers for 33 acres in Ray alias Rath.

[6] In the Templeport Poll Book of 1761 there were only four people registered to vote in Ray in the 1761 Irish general election[7] - Thomas Chambers, William Finlay, John Johnston and Brochwell Lawrence.