Altar in Ballinaltig Beg, mass-rock in County Cork

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What is recorded here

In tillage, adjacent to tree. Indicated and named 'Altar' on 1842, 1905 and 1935 OS 6-inch maps. Natural rock outcrop. Recorded in OS Field Book of 1839 (Grove White 1905-1925, vol. 1, 81-2) as having been formerly used as an altar and 'is up to the present time held in great veneration by the inhabitants, who often come to pray at it'. Veneration had however declined by the time of Grove White's visit in 1906. According to local tradition, recorded by Dr Johnson, a passage from the fox covert in the adjoining townland of Corbally is said to run directly under the rock (ibid. 82).

From the National Monuments Service (Archaeological Survey of Ireland) record CO026-071

Places near here

Photo credits

Maker not stated on source page, monumentalireland.ie
National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
Maker not stated on source page, www.youtube.com
Maker not stated on source page, commons.wikimedia.org
Maker not stated on source page, www.bigstockphoto.com
Maker not stated on source page, www.pinterest.com
Maker not stated on source page, www.dreamstime.com

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