Penal Mass station in Tinnaragh

Not marked on the 1839 or 1908 eds OS 6-inch maps. Within Tinnaragh Ringfort (LA028-017001-). Known as 'the Monument' or 'the Priest's Bush', it is a whitethorn (O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1907, vol. 1, 372-3). Numerous bushes in this area. 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 in secret by Catholic priests during the period of religious persecution in Ireland. The site at Tinnaragh, known as 'the Priest's Bush,' was likely a location where Mass was celebrated in concealment, often under the cover of a hawthorn or whitethorn bush.