School: Birr (Mercy Convent)
- Location:
- Birr or Parsonstown, Co. Offaly
- Teacher: Sr. Flannan
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0821, Page 209
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- The Mass PathTold by Patrick Spain, Cullawn, aged 49 years.In Frank Reddan's field in Rathure near Killyon, there is a large flat rock through the centre of which a pathway is worn. During Frank Reddan's boyhood, about forty years ago, this path was used as a short cut across the bog to the Catholic Church in Rath. A local belief is that the stone was so worn during the penal days by the people of the neighbourhood who traversed the path on which the stone is, to reach a secret place in the bog where Mass was celebrated.
- In the parish of Eglish on a farm which now belongs to a man named Alexander, there is a wide hole or pit round in shape, which is called the Priest's hole. In all probability, this hole at one time was probably covered over and afforded a hiding place to some hunted priests of penal days. The Mass Rock which stands near is very large having a flat top. This was used as an altar in penal days.
