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Special ceremony at historic Mass
Rock
20.08.09
THIS Sunday afternoon -
August 23 - people from Carrowmenagh and further
afield will gather in a small corner of the townland
of Ballynagaraghey for a very special religious
ceremony at the local mass rock.
Mass will be celebrated by Moville parish priest Fr
Paddy O’Kane at 3pm at the rock, which was
identified this spring by Tremone Historical Society
member Anthony McGonagle.
The society’s chairman, John A McLaughlin, said it
would be a special day for people from the
Carrowmenagh area.
“Sunday will be the first time in at least 200 years
that mass will be said at the rock. The spot where
the Mass Rock was found is quite secluded, and
that’s because in penal times priests wanted to say
Mass somewhere the Redcoats couldn’t see them,” said
Mr McLaughlin, referring to the British soldiers who
were charged with enforcing their government’s ban
on Catholic worship in Ireland. |
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Penal times were
dangerous for Catholics, especially the clergy. Fr
Hegarty’s rock near Buncrana marks the spot where
one local priest held Mass in secret before he was
captured by the British and put to death.
It had been believed that the Ballynagaraghey Mass
Rock was located somewhere on land that used to
belong to the Farren family.
“Mick Farren promised to take me out to look for the
Mass Rock, but he took ill and was never able to do
it. In fact the last surviving member of the Farren
clan, Rosie Donovan, was buried in Ballinacrae last
week,” said Mr McLaughlin, who thanked |
current land-owners, Anthony and Phil
Brennan, for permitting the Mass to take place.
“Earlier this year Anthony McGonagle was out taking
pictures in the area and he noticed that one of the
rocks had a 10 inch square hole chiselled into it. A
local priest told him the hole was for hiding a
chalice.”
Preparations for the Mass have already begun with
work to cut grass at the field, put up direction
signs for motorists as well as erecting a tent for
the priest in case of poor weather, all to be
completed by this weekend.
The Carrowmenagh historian added that if the weather
is good on Sunday, mass-goers would be treated to
stunning views across the sea to the Scottish island
of Islay, as well as Rathlin and Inistrahull.
“Depending on the weather, there will be parking in
a nearby field. I would ask that people bring
suitable footwear, no high heels should be worn, for
example.
“It’s a spectacular setting and I hope there is a
big crowd for this Mass. If it goes well hopefully
the mass at the Ballynagaraghey mass rock can become
an annual event.” (Inishowen
Independent) |
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