Mass-rock in Tevrin

Situated in undulating rocky grassland with site of chapel (WM013-088----) 280m to E. Ringfort (WM013-087----) 140m to W and second ringfort (WM013-086----) 130m to N. Large boulder known locally as 'Finn Mac Cool's Pebble', described in 1967 as a mass rock located near E edge of field. Present remains consist of a natural boulder possibly splintered by weathering (OPW Field Report 14/11/1967). According to the local landowner this rock was known locally as the 'Mass Rock'. Bush marked on digital globe aerial photograph appears to mark site of mass rock. In 1934 the following folklore about this mass rock was collected from Turin National School; 'Finn Mac Cool was supposed to be, one day, marching from Killucan past Edmonton to Turin. Meeting a large rock, in his path, he stooped down, and taking it up on his fingers, as tho' it were a pebble, threw it before him. The supposed pebble did not fall again to the ground until it reached Turin church - 21/2 miles distant. There it dropped into a field and is there to this day. Known by the name of "Finn Mac Cool's Pebble". It has been said that on this same rock in Turin, Mass was said during the "bad times" after burning of old chapel [WM013-088---] which was situated near rock' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0737, Page 004; www.duchas.ie). A second story from the same school gave the following account; 'A Mass Rock, where the priest said Mass in the Penal times is still to be seen in Turin ranch. The people came to this rock to hear Mass, at 12 o'clock at night. While the priest said Mass, some men were up in the trees watching, fearing the arrival of the "Red Coats" from Mullingar. The path to the Mass Rock is still to be seen on the field and is called the "Mass Path'(The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0737, Pages 017-18). Compiled by: Frank Coyne and Caimin O'Brien Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 2 May 2020