Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Penal Mass station
Rathtillig, County Laois, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Rathtillig
- County
- Laois
- Country
- Ireland
- First-edition OS map
- NULL
- Latest-edition OS map
- NULL
- SMR number
- LA032-032002-
This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗
The National Monuments Service's description
Unlocated Mass-Station within townland that is described in The History of the Queens County as 'Another Mass-station mentioned by Mr. Wall was to the S.E. of Arles at a distance of about half a mile. It is situated on the lands of Rathillig. The place was formerly called Poul-an-an. There is believed to be a fairy hole underneath the hill, and an underground passage to Arles. Whether Mass used to be said on the hill (where once a very fine whitethorn grew, regarded by some as a Mass-bush) or 'in ye open field' below, tradition saith not. A striking confirmation of Mr. Wall's account of Rathillig, as a Mass-station of ancient standing, is furnished by the following extract from the report made in 1612 by Dr. Ram, Protestant Bishop, concerning the condition of his diocese. Enumerating the priests who "resort the diocese, and their ordinary harbourers', he sets down '5. Sir Thomas Reugh, priest, keeping about a XII month since at the house of Garrat McTeg of Ratellick in the parish of Killaban; wher (his arm being broken) he lay at cure, but since I have not heard of him' (O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1907, vol. 2, 580).
Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien
Date of upload: 17 December 2007