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Mass Rock at Meeltrane, Cloonfad, Co. Roscommon |
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Mass Rocks are generally associated with the activities of the mid sixteenth century when the celebration of Mass was prohibited by the English authorities. Principals involved were in the reign of Elizabeth, daughter of Henry viii. Later during Cromwellian times similar repression of Religious services was continued. During this time Dunmore Augustinian Abbey was burned, followed by Kiltullagh Church. Within a few days Ballyhaunis Augustinian Abbey was also destroyed by fire and ransacked.
Although the Ballyhaunis Abbey was burned a leadto was constructed to the remaining side wall and thatched. Mass was celebrated occasionally under this arrangement within a vale of great secrecy which would not have been detected from the main road. It is said a friar from Ballyhaunis, Fr. Fulgentious Jordan, was shot dead in the parish of Bacon while saying Mass at a Mass Rock in Redpark. To the best of our knowledge he was buried in a field near the Mass Rock in Redpark. Later, it is believed, he was taken to the Hollywell church site near Ballyhaunis and reburied there. It is important to remember that Mass was now being celebrated at Mass Rocks and Ring Forts known as Liss an Affrin. This occurred very occasionally but always at designated and secluded areas. Mass Rocks were large stones of convenience in those isolated spots.
Common at this time were those who engaged in Priest Hunting. People in general were poor and this option was always open to those who wished to avail of the benefits of such activities. Again it is said the price tag for the head of a priest was five pounds with a bishop fetching a higher price. The consequences of the departure of such a person was to leave the community bereft of the only religious and educated person in the area who would be in a position to represent his people. This being the case a community without a priest had not the communicative skills to deal with the authorities of the day.
Over the past fifteen years the Tridentine Mass has been celebrated on the Mass Rock at Meeltrane. This is in the theme of the Latin Mass of old and not generally witnessed in normal times. This takes place on the 15th September each year. A large contingent of people from all over the country come here to pray and to celebrate Mass. Close to the Mass Rock there is a children's burial ground and the last time this site was utilised was in 1944. These areas were generally associated with children who had not been baptised but who had been buried in the only Holy ground available with a spiritual connotation.
The assistance of G.C and J. G is appreciated with the compilation of this article.