Mass-rock in Aghavrin

According to Hartnett (1939, 38), 'at foot of a large rock, known as Carrigacnubber is a sort of ledge or stone altar, at which it was said Mass was celebrated in Penal times'. Aghavrin tower (CO072-001----) stands atop rock outcrop. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 3: Mid Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

This mass-rock is associated with the clandestine celebration of Catholic Mass during the Penal Times in Ireland, when open Catholic worship was banned. It is linked to the tradition of holding religious services in secret, often at sites such as stone altars or under sheltering rocks to avoid detection by authorities.