Mass-rock in Clonfinane

Situated on a tree-covered bog island known locally as the Priest's Bush. The island is covered with birch, holly, rowan, whitethorn, elder and woodbine and measures 70m in diameter with a penal mass-rock located within the island (Irish Archaeological Wetland Unit (UCD) 1998). The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Tipperary. Vol. 1 - North Tipperary' compiled by Jean Farrelly and Caimin O'Brien (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2002). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 22 September 2008

Linked to the celebration of Catholic Mass during the Penal Times when open worship was forbidden, the mass-rock served as a clandestine site for religious gatherings. The surrounding grove of holly, rowan, and whitethorn reflects a tradition of sacred landscape, blending Christian practice with pre-existing Celtic reverence for such wooded places.