Grave on Sheebeg

 

Legend has it Fionn Mc Cumhail was the strongest person in Ireland. There are about ten different ancient graves in Ireland that clam to be Fionn Mc Cumhails grave. The grave on Sheebeg is one of these graves. About 60 years ago, bones the size of giants were dug up from the grave on Sheebeg. They were put on show in a local farmers barn and people could view the bones for a three-penny bit. The guards would not allow this. The bones were buried in the grave again and are possibly there to this day. The first parish church was the church of the well in the townland of Kiltubrid. In early penal times, this stone building was demolished and people then began to attend mass at the mass rock in Gortnawane, situated near the top of Slieve-an-Iarainn. During this time, catholic priests were forbidden to say mass and were in danger of death if caught. The mass rock is a big opening between two huge walls of rock. The people and priests gathered inside it, hidden from view. Men and women were posted on strategic parts of the mountain to look out for soldiers. This mass rock, still standing today, is a monument to the faith of the people of Kiltubrid during penal times.