Mass-rock in An Spidéal Thiar

In an area of very rough grazing and outcropping limestone; there is a stream to the E and a house has been built 2.5m to the SW. The mass rock is a large natural piece of outcropping limestone that is aligned NNE-SSW. Its upper face is 2.9m long and it varies in width from 1.6m at the NNE end to 0.5m at the SSW end. It is 0.5-0.6m high on its E side, rising to 1.8m high on its W side. On this side there is a steep drop into a short narrow gully that runs along the W face of the rock. Abutting the E face and parallel to it is a landing that is 2.3m long and 1.3m wide. This landing consists of a natural slab of rock outcrop with concrete flooring. It is accessed by two flights of steps - one natural outcropping rock and the other concrete. Known locally as Carrig an Aifreann/Mass-rock. The following image has been uploaded: GA092-027----_04.jpg View from SE Updated by: Olive Alcock Date of revised upload: 12 July 2023

A mass-rock used during the Penal Times when Catholic priests celebrated Mass in secret; such sites were central to the preservation of faith under religious persecution. The location reflects the broader tradition of holding religious services in hidden or remote places across Ireland.