The Mass Rock 1973
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![](Mass_Rock_1973_small.jpg)
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Mass Rock: Jim Hennessy, Bill O'Regan, Peader
Redmond, Denis Doran, Jack Whelan, Billy Kelly,
Mick Hennessy, Pat Purcell. Child in front:
Stephan Moran.
The
Mass Rock is a part of local history dating from the
penal days. In 1973 the tradition of saying mass in
the hollow was revived. The altar was erected and
the area was made ready through the hard work of
some very dedicated men from the surrounding areas.
Pictured are Jim Hennessy, Bill O'Regan,
Peader Redmond and Denis Doran on the left. To the
right of the altar is Jack Whelan, Billy Kelly, Mick
Hennessy and the renowned local historian Pat
Purcell. Alas with the exception of Bill O'Regan all
these men have gone to their eternal resting place.
The child to the front is Stephan Moran whose family
now own the land where the mass hollow is situated.
Several other people helped also. Patsy O'Rourke
from Lower Rossmore was one such person. Patsy had
the privilege of building the altar and was only too
delighted to do so. The parish priest Fr. Byrne
blessed the area and mass was celebrated before a
large crowd by Fr. P. MacSuibhne and Fr. C. O'Neill
from Carlow College. Fr. Sean Kelly and Fr. Michael
Butterfield were also present.
![](Mass_Rock_01_small.jpg)
The tradition of saying mass in the hollow in
Doran's field continues today with the kind
permission of the Moran family who now own the
surrounding land.
On Thursday June 23rd 2011 mass was once again
celebrated here. Among the congregation in
attendance at the mass was the aforementioned Jack
Whelan, Crossneen, who sadly passed away on Sunday
July 31st.
"Ar Dheis Dei Go Raibh an-Anim".
("May his
soul be on God's right side").
By Geraldine Brennan
Source: Fiacc’s Folk, Page 13 &
Michael Purcell