Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Mass-rock
Rathduff (rathconrath By.), County Westmeath, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Rathduff (rathconrath By.)
- County
- Westmeath
- Country
- Ireland
- First-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Latest-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Coordinates
- 53.55377, -7.53595
- SMR number
- WM018-157----
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 4 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1790 "Composite: Ireland." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗
The National Monuments Service's description
Rathduff mass-rock situated on NNE facing rock outcrop with good views to N and E. Curving field boundary depicted on 1837 ed. OS 6-inch map represents the quarried face of the rock outcrop. Large irregular shaped boulder (H 0.75m; L 1.2m x Wth 0.8m) with an encircled (diam. 0.22m) sunken cross (dims. 0.16m x 0.16m) carved on N face of boulder. Flat-topped surface of boulder was used as an altar during penal times. Rough flagstone seat located to E. The estate records of William Meade Smythe recorded that there 'is a rock called (Carraig an Affrin) tradition tells that a Mass was celebrated at this rock in the penal days. A cross with circle round it is quite plain to be seen on it and must be cut on it to commemorate the deed. I
have heard it stated that people, old men and women, could be seen praying at this rock in olden times' (igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/westmeath/land/legends.txt).
Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien
Date of upload: 29 November 2017
Nearby in the register
- Ringfort - rathunder 1 mi
- Enclosureunder 1 mi
- Ringfort - rathunder 1 mi
- Ringfort - rathunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.