Mass stone

Embedded atop boundary fence on S side of road; partially obscured by briars. Rectangular flat-topped sandstone block (0.65m N-S; 0.7m E-W; min. H 0.3m). Recorded by Lee (1932, 24-5) as having 'originally stood on the west side of the bothairín about 50 yards north of Tobar a' Chaipín where Holy Mass was celebrated in Penal Days. There is a tradition locally that when the stone was removed bells used to be tolled at the old site every night. It is rather significant that the large wood immediately east of this is known as the Priest's Wood'. Roche (1988, 25-6) also noted that stone was moved though he gives the original location as in the 'Priest's Wood'. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

A local holy well or ritual site; wider significance not recorded.