Penal Mass station in Ballynagall

Reference to mass-station here (O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1907, vol. 2, 580). Situated in undulating countryside. No visible surface remains. Described in the History of the Queens County as' Mass used to be said during the penal era under a holly bush in one of the fields of Old leagh. The place lies to the S.W. of Arles at a distance of about a mile. The situation is extremely picturesque. A small river wends its way through a deep ravine, and serves as an outlet for the overflow waters of the well of St. Abban (LA032-005001-), the patron saint of Kilabban, the more ancient name of Arles. It was an ideal spot for a Mass-station' (O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1907, vol. 2, 580). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 17 December 2007

Penal Mass stations were used during the 17th and 18th centuries in Ireland when Catholic worship was suppressed, and this site in Ballynagall would have been a secret location for celebrating Mass. Such stations were often associated with local saints or traditions, though specific folklore or saintly connections for this site are not recorded.