HARRYSTOWN Mass Rock
In elevated pasture, built into N face of low hill overlooking mill race and old road known locally as Bianconi’s road (pers. comm. Dara Reid) immediately to the N. Harrystown flour mill (WM023-084—-) located 30m to W, small bridge crossing mill race 8m to NW. This mass rock consists of a flat recumbent slab (L 1.31m; Wth 0.5m; T 0.2m) acting as an altar which was supported on loosely piled stones which has been built into the N face of the hill which rises high above the altar of the mass rock. The mass rock is located beside an old road now used as a laneway which is locally referred to as Bianconi’s road. According to the woman living in the nearby mill house this stone was known locally as the mass rock (pers. comm. Dara Reid).
158638,WM04264,MARO,WM018-157—-,WESTMEATH,RATHDUFF (Rathconrath By.),R185623,630749,756083,53.553765650000003,-7.535954710000000,Mass-rock,Not indicated,Not indicated,https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CWM018-157—-,Rathduff mass-rock situated on NNE facing rock outcrop with good views to N and E. Curving field boundary depicted on 1837 ed. OS 6-inch map represents the quarried face of the rock outcrop. Large irregular shaped boulder (H 0.75m; L 1.2m x Wth 0.8m) with an encircled (diam. 0.22m) sunken cross (dims. 0.16m x 0.16m) carved on N face of boulder. Flat-topped surface of boulder was used as an altar during penal times. Rough flagstone seat located to E. The estate records of William Meade Smythe recorded that there ‘is a rock called (Carraig an Affrin) tradition tells that a Mass was celebrated at this rock in the penal days. A cross with circle round it is quite plain to be seen on it and must be cut on it to commemorate the deed. I
Monument Type: Mass-rock