Ritual site - holy/saint's stone

The National Monuments Service's description

This monument now takes the form of a rectangular area (3.5m N-S; 3.3m E-W) enclosed by a concrete wall. The floor of this enclosed area is covered by concrete save for the tops of five stones which protrude through it. It is not possible to say how large these stones are or of what form they take. Standing within the enclosure is a large wooden cross of recent erection. According to tradition 'the traditional religious practice at Knockpatrick involved reciting three Rosaries: one around the wall of the burial grounds, one while moving clockwise around St Patrick's Well (LI010-056----) and the third at Suíochán Pádraig' (this description is posted on the web at the following internet address (accessed 3 August 2012): http://www.limerickdioceseheritage.org.
Between November 1937 and December 1938, Michael Mulvihill a pupil of Shanagolden School collected a story called 'The stone from which St Patrick blessed Clare', from his grandfather John Mulvihill of Shanagolden Demesne then aged 70 years old; 'It is said locally that while staying at Knockpatrick St Patrick blessed Co. Clare. He knelt down at the highest point of the hill, gazed northward across the Shannon at the County, stretched out his hands and said "My blessing over to you." He did this because he intended going to the north of Ireland as soon as possible and therefore would not have an opportunity of visiting Clare.
There was a flat stone to be seen at the summit of Knockpatrick until about twenty years ago. On it were two hollows which bore a rough resemblance to an impression which would be made by human knees. A local tradition connects this stone with St Patricks blessing of Co. Clare - that when giving his blessing he knelt on it, and as a sign that God had heard his prayer the imprint of his knees remained on the stone.
Twenty years ago at the time of the Anglo Irish war, a party of Black and Tans were carrying out a round, up in this district. In the course of their search, a party of them went up to Knockpatrick. They noticed the isolated flat stone, and growing suspicious that it might be hiding an arms dump, took it up out of its place. In doing this they broke the stone, and a portion of it was never seen since' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0483, Pages 168-9; accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4921944/4912175).

Compiled by: Denis Power

Revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 16 May 2021