Mass-rock in Caherkeen

In rough hill pasture on bog, on a N-facing slope overlooking Coulagh Bay. According to local information, this natural earth-fast boulder (2.6m NW-SE; 2.2m NE-SW; H 0.8m), which is roughly rectangular in plan, was used as a mass-rock. The SE half of the boulder slopes gently downwards to the relatively flat surface of the NW half. The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 5' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). Date of upload: 22 December 2009

as a mass-rock during the period of Catholic persecution in Ireland, when secret Masses were celebrated in remote locations to avoid detection by authorities. The site reflects the resilience of religious practice and the importance of hidden worship in Irish Catholic tradition.