Mass-rock in Ardagannive

In scrubland, on gentle S-facing slope. Large boulder (2.65m x 1.45m; H 1.05m) resting on at least one support stone. Locally known as 'mass rock' (pers. comm. Connie Murphy N.T. Castletownbear). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 1: West Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1992). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

A mass-rock associated with clandestine Catholic worship during the period of religious persecution in Ireland; such sites were used for holding Mass in secret and are often linked to local saints or priests. No specific saint or cure is recorded for this site, but mass-rocks are commonly venerated and sometimes became focal points for local folklore and devotion.