Mass-rock in Inch St. Lawrence North

Situated close to the summit of a hill, on a NE-facing slope, in rolling pasture. According to Lynch (1909-11) mass was attended 'at a place called Poulanaffrin and Clashanaffrin (hole and trench of the mass), a disused and filled-in quarry' in the penal times. Described in the Ordnance Survey Name Books as 'a small pit about two chains in diameter c. 15 feet deep, placed on the face of a hill and round which grows a few Hawthorn bushes'. Survives as two conjoined shallow depressions (c. 50m NW-SE; D 1.5m) in the side of a hill, with a face of limestone rock visible from NE.

This site is associated with the tradition of clandestine Catholic worship during the Penal Times in Ireland, when open practice of the Catholic faith was suppressed. The name "Clashanaffrin" (trench of the mass) suggests it may have been used as a shelter or assembly point for priests and congregations holding secret Masses.