Mass-rock in Greenane

A sandstone boulder, c. 0.5m high, with a largely level upper surface, squarish in plan with sides of c. 2m, is located in rough pasture on sloping ground at c. 150m OD just S of a 700m long ENE/WSW running field boundary. Towards the NE corner of the upper surface, lines of possible pickmarks run adjacent to three natural looking hollows, more hemispherical depressions visible on the rest of the surface, two or more of which appear to be cupmarks (diam.s 0.04–0.07m, D. 7–10mm), one of which has at least 6 pickmarks along its rim. At the SE end of the boulder, are two inscriptions, one deeply carved and carefully executed, the other shallowly incised, both of which read ‘money’. According to the landowner, the boulder was used as a mass rock in penal times. Kenmare Bay is visible to SE. The boulder is 700m SW of the rock art at Rossacoosane. Compiled by: Aoibheann Lambe Date of upload/revision: 13 May 2019

A mass-rock used during the 17th and 18th centuries for the clandestine celebration of Catholic Mass during periods of religious persecution in Ireland. Such sites were often known only to the local community and played a key role in the preservation of faith.