Mass-rock in Knockaphonery

Natural hollow in rock outcrop atop hill, known locally as a place where mass was said. (CMSS). 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

Linked to the tradition of Catholic worship during the Penal Times, the mass-rock was used for clandestine celebration of Mass. Local folklore often associates such sites with spiritual protection and resistance against religious persecution.