Sacred Space. A Study of the Mass Rocks of the Diocese of Cork and Ross, County Cork. Bishop, H.J. PhD Irish Studies 2013 - 2 - Acknowledgements My thanks to the University of Liverpool and, in particular, the Institute of Irish Studies for their support for this thesis and the funding which made this research possible. In particular, I would like to extend my thanks to my Primary Supervisor, Professor Marianne Elliott, for her immeasurable support, encouragement and guidance and to Dr Karyn Morrissey, Department of Geography, in her role as Second Supervisor. Her guidance and suggestions with regards to the overall framework and structure of the thesis have been invaluable. Particular thanks also to Dr Patrick Nugent who was my original supervisor. He has remained a friend and mentor and I am eternally grateful to him for the continuing enthusiasm he has shown towards my research. I am grateful to the British Association for Irish Studies who awarded a research scholarship to assist with research expenses. In addition, I would like to thank my Programme Leader at Liverpool John Moores University, Alistair Beere, who provided both research and financial support to ensure the timely completion of my thesis. My special thanks to Rev. Dr Tom Deenihan, Diocesan Secretary, for providing an invaluable letter of introduction in support of my research and to the many staff in parishes across the diocese for their help. I am also indebted to the people of Cork for their help, hospitality and time, all of which was given so freely and willingly. Particular thanks to Joe Creedon of Inchigeelagh and local archaeologist Tony Miller. Librarians at both the University of Liverpool and the National Library of Ireland, together with archivists at the Folklore Archives at UCD, have also been extremely helpful. Finally, my thanks to family and friends but, most especially, to Paul ……….. thank you for everything. - 3 - Abstract Sacred Space. A Study of the Mass Rocks of the diocese of Cork and Ross, county Cork. Hilary Bishop B.A. (Hons); MPhil; FHEA The history of Catholicism is an essential component in the history of modern Ireland. As locations of a distinctively Catholic faith, Mass Rocks are important historical, ritual and counter-cultural sites. Their continued use reflects, and helps reconstruct and legitimise, contemporary Irish identity whilst providing a tangible and experiential connection to Irish heritage and tradition. The mythology surrounding Mass Rocks tends to symbolise the worst excesses of the ‘Penal Laws’. Yet, as Elliott (2000) has pointed out, the impact of the Penal Laws was short-lived and the worst was over by 1730 (Elliott 2000:170). Since the 1990s, most historians have rejected this traditional ‘penal’ paradigm with its subtext of a heroic but silenced Catholic nation (Dickson 2004:38). Yet, the Irish countryside remains littered with the Mass Rocks that were used throughout this period and they are still considered to be special and sacred places. Using a framework of sacred space this research provides an original and important vista on this topic. An examination of their geographical distribution has yielded some surprising concentrations and absences in certain areas. The actual locations of these sites have proved equally intriguing since few appear to conform to the mythical, secluded, upland sanctuaries depicted in early and mid-twentieth century history textbooks and more recently on ‘republican’ murals. This research does not attempt to assess the implementation, success or failure of the Penal Laws. However, it does provide one of the most thorough syntheses of available information in respect to Mass Rocks at a diocesan level and therefore provides a valuable resource that will help widen knowledge of this emotive and often misunderstood period. Research has been based in the diocese of Cork and Ross, county Cork. The parish of Uíbh Laoghaire or Iveleary, the county of Cineal Laoghaire or O’Leary, is located within this diocese and is relatively rich in Mass Rock sites. The parish of ‘Inshiguilah’ or Inchigeelagh is referenced within the Report on the State of Popery of 1731 along with adjoining parishes. Its sound pedigree in terms of its historical, geographical and cultural background made it an excellent candidate for a case study. It offered a valuable opportunity to apply the conceptual framework of sacred space to a specific parish within the research area in order to evaluate the validity of the research findings. Although much has been written about the Penal era, the study of Mass Rocks is a neglected area of study and it is hoped that these results will help to frame Eighteenth-century Irish Catholicism within a broader economic, social, cultural and political context. - 4 - Table of Contents Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………… 4 List of Colour Plates..................................................................... 6 List of Figures, Tables and Appendices........................................ 8 Chapter 1 Introduction................................................................................. 9 Chapter 2 Literature Review......................................................................... 16 Chapter 3 Methodology and Sources........................................................... 50 Chapter 4 Location of Sacred Space............................................................. 64 Chapter 5 Nature of Sacred Space................................................................ 107 Chapter 6 Typologies of Sacred Space ……………………………………………………… 138 Chapter 7 Language of Sacred Space............................................................ 157 Chapter 8 Memory of Sacred Space............................................................. 170 Chapter 9 Ritual Use of Sacred Space........................................................... 189 Chapter 10 Case Study: The Mass Rocks of Uíbh Laoghaire........................... 207 Chapter 11 Concluding Remarks..................................................................... 250 Bibliography................................................................................. 254 Appendices................................................................................... 288 - 5 - List of Colour Plates Plate No. Title Plate 1 Plaque, Curraheen Mass Rock..................................................... 77 Plate 2 Ballinacarriga Tower House......................................................... 78 Plate 3 Mural – Ardoyne Road, Belfast………………………………………………… 96 Plate 4 Dungannon Mass Rock................................................................ 99 Plate 5 Ballycurreen Mass Rock............................................................... 101 Plate 6 Mass Rock, Keem Bay, Achill Island, county Mayo...................... 102 Plate 7 Coastal Location of Toormore Mass Rock.................................... 103 Plate 8 Kilnadur Penal Chapel.................................................................. 105 Plate 9 Altoir Wedge Tomb, county Mayo............................................... 109 Plate 10 Kilshinahan Mass Rock................................................................. 113 Plate 11 Glenville Mass Rock..................................................................... 115 Plate 12 Beach Mass Rock and Lady’s Well............................................... 117 Plate 13 Ardrah Mass Rock........................................................................ 123 Plate 14 Kerbstone K15, Knowth, Boyne Valley......................................... 126 Plate 15 Quartz Deposit at Calloras Oughter Mass Rock........................... 128 Plate 16 Steps, Glenville Mass Rock………………………………………………………. 131 Plate 17 Goleen Catholic Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, and 131 St. Patrick………………………………………………………………………………… Plate 18 Stone Walling, Gortnamuckla Mass Rock…………………………………. 132 Plate 19 Stone Walling, Cullomane West Mass Rock……………………………… 133 Plate 20 Hollow Depression Containing Water, Foherlagh Mass Rock…… 134 Plate 21 Reredos, Coolaclevane Mass Rock…………………………………………… 134 Plate 22 Cross Inscribed Stone, Kilnadur Mass Rock………………………………. 135 Plate 23 Cooldaniel Mass Rock……………………………………………………………… 141 Plate 24 Toormore Mass Rock………………………………………………………………. 143 Plate 25 Derrynafinchin Mass Rock……………………………………………………….. 144 Plate 26 Contoured Altar Stone of Derrynafinchin Mass Rock……………….. 145 Plate 27 Bullaun Stone, Derrynafinchin Mass Rock Site…………………………. 146 Plate 28 Coorleigh South Mass Rock………….............................................. 147 - 6 - List of Colour Plates continued Plate No. Title Plate 29 Drombeg Mass Rock………………………………………………………………… 148 Plate 30 Cullomane West Mass Rock......................................................... 151 Plate 31 Dromaclarig Mass Rock……………………………………………………………. 151 Plate 32 Foherlagh Mass Rock………………………………………………………………. 154 Plate 33 Kilnadur Mass Rock…………………………………………………………………. 156 Plate 34 St Patrick’s Holy Well, Kinneigh................................................... 198 Plate 35 Our Lady, Beach Mass Rock......................................................... 198 Plate 36 Altar, Beach Mass Rock................................................................ 199 Plate 37 Bullaun Stone, Beach Mass Rock................................................. 201 Plate 38 Votive Offerings at Calloras Oughter Mass Rock......................... 203 Plate 39 Votive Offerings at Glenville Mass Rock...................................... 203 Plate 40 Ritual ‘Tagging’ at Glenville Mass Rock.......................................