The Mass Rock 1973

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.

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

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Source: Fiacc’s Folk, Page 13 & Michael Purcell