Mass-rock in Gortaleen

The precise location of a mass rock known locally as 'Cloch na h-altóra' (Altar stone) within the townland of Gorteen has not been identified. Folklore collected from Fybagh School recorded the following tradition about Cloch na h-altóra; 'There is a height in Killeen on this height there is a big square rock like a table it is called cloch na h-altóra. It is thought that mass was offered up there in the penal days. Years ago when the fishermen from this quarter were salmon fishing. They often fished on closed days Saturday and Sunday. They were out one Sunday and they left a man in the look out "old Daniel Clifford". About the time that mass begun in Keel church he heard the mass bell ringing up to his ear. He threw himself on the ground and blessed himself and said Diadh le'm anam and prayed hard for some time. After that day he never went fishing on Sunday (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0432, Page 306a; https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4687708/4685900). A second story collected from Fybagh School recorded the following; 'About twenty years ago a travelling man named Peter OHalloran put up for a night at John O Briens house Gortaleen. This was the first time he was noticed about the place and he was a sage. He told them they mass was celebrated on a rock some where in the neighbourhood in olden times and that there was a whitethorn tree not far from the rock and that there was a crock of gold under a flag beneath the tree. The whitethorn tree is about 20 yard north east of the rock and unbaptised babies were buried around it (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0432, Page 307a; https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4687708/4685902/4707691?ChapterID=4687708). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 23 May 2022