Mass-rock in Archerstown

On the W bank of a stream within the NE quadrant of a large enclosure (LA035-049----), in a flat river valley. The stream forms the county boundary between Laois and Kilkenny. The land rises to the S and W within the large enclosure. A large conglomerate boulder (dims. 2.1m x 1m; H 0.66m to W; H 1m to E), roughly aligned N-S. The rough, broad, upper surface of the boulder faces westward into the enclosure but does not form level surface as it slopes continuously from E to W. Possible tradition of this being a mass-rock. It is possible that the large enclosure may have ecclesiastical origins, which may explain the association of the boulder with a religious activity. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 6 June 2017

A mass-rock used during the Penal Times when Catholic worship was outlawed; such sites were often hidden and used for secret religious gatherings. Local tradition associates these rocks with both spiritual resistance and the veneration of itinerant saints.