Rathsaran, a parish in the barony of Upper Ossory, Queen's county and province of Leinster 2 3/4 miles (W.) from Rathdowney, on the road from Dublin to Thurles (Co. Tipperary); containing 868 inhabitants.

This parish is bounded on the west by the county of Tipperary and comprises 2065 statute acres, as aplotted under the tithes act.

The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the Diocese of Ossory, and in the patronage of the Bishop: the tithes amount to £130, and the glebe comprises 114 acres. The glebe-house was erected by aid of a gift of £250, and a loan of £550, in 1820, from the late Board of First Fruits. The church was built in 1797, by aid of a gift of £500 from the same board.

In the Roman Catholic divisions it forms part of the union or district of Rathdowney and contains a chapel.

The parochial school, in which are about 50 children, is aided by a contribution from the rector, and a grant of £8 per annum from the Society for Discountenancing Vice.