Mass-rock in Monaghanstown

The precise location of a mass-rock in the townland of Monaghanstown, has not been recorded. In 1938 the following folklore about this rock was recorded from Dysart National School; 'There is a place in this Parish called Monaghanstown. There is a Mass rock in a field there. Long ago there was a Priest saying Mass at this rock. A canon ball came across the lake from Belvedere and split the rock into pieces. The rock is there to this day in pieces. The Priest, that was saying the Mass, and the people who assisted escaped. Monaghanstown is a field situated on the Lake Rd. or rather on the Road that leads from Castletown village, past the Garda Barracks to the lake. It is about half-a-mile from Castletown though in Dysart Parish' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0737, Page 439). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 23 September 2019

A mass-rock used during the 17th and 18th centuries for the secret celebration of Catholic Mass during periods of religious persecution. Local tradition recalls it as a place of spiritual resistance and community gathering.