Mass-rock in Derrynafinchin

This monument was brought to the attention of ASI by the archaeologist Tony Miller on 25th June 2012. the following is his description of the monument: "Located within the stone circle at Derrynafinchin in the Borlin Valley (CO092-001001). A mass rock consisting of a level slab raised up to resemble an altar. It is built in the interior of the circle immediately against the most southerly of the circle’s orthostats. The slab measures approximately 1.6m east-west, 0.8m north-south and is 0.1m in thickness. On the western side it is held up by a single upright stone while the other side is held up by a number of stones, including what appears to be one of the fallen orthostats of the circle. There is a reference to a mass rock in this location in local history of the Borlin Valley- ‘Hidden Gold- History and Folklore of the Coomhola and Borlin Valleys’ Ed. Julia Kemp. FAS 1998 p.64."

A mass-rock associated with clandestine Catholic worship during periods of religious persecution in Ireland; such sites were often linked to local saints or traditions of spiritual resistance.