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Song Playing:
"Were You at the Rock"
Each year on the Sunday nearest to August 15th the annual devotions are held at the
mass rock at Carraig an Aifrinn (the Mass Rock) in the townland of Knockananig
(Cnoc an Eanaigh, the hill of the marsh) a few miles south west of Fermoy. The Old Reservoir is not far away.
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Carraig An Aifrinn 2005 |
The Mass Rock Altar |
Flags Flying over the Rock |
Carraig An Aifrinn |
Another View |
People Worshipping
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The traditional devotions normally consist of the Rosary.
From the beginning of the English Reformation in the 1530's, laws were passed in Ireland
and England establishing the Anglican religion as the state religion and punishing
those who did not conform to it.
These laws applied equally to Catholics, Non-Anglicans and Quakers.
The first of what are commonly called the Penal Laws were enacted in the
late 17th century and others were passed at various stages up until around 1760.
In 1759 John Bowes, chief baron of the exchequer, declared that the law did not presume
an Irish Catholic to exist except for the purposes of punishment.
Over time laws were passed forbidding Catholics from, amongst others things, exercising
their religion, entering a profession, holding public office, engaging in trade or
commerce, owning a horse worth more than £5.00, buying or leasing land, renting any
land worth more than 30 shillings etc.
These oppressive laws were designed to repress and to reduce the native Irish to a
condition of ignorance and servility. Thus, by these laws Catholics were deprived
of their religious, political and other social rights.
However,the resilience of the Irish shone through: they did their best to educate
their children in the underground hedge schools and they kept their faith, language,
culture, music, games and folklore alive by handing them on orally from generation
to generation. Cathoics Bishops and priests were forced into hiding and were sheltered
and supported by their flock. Mass was celebrated in isolated secluded areas such as
Carraig an Aifrinn. Scouts watched the area to warn the congregation if the military
were approaching. The faithful also had a great devotion to the rosary which was a
source of consolation and encouragement to them.
By degrees the Penal Laws were either ignored or allowed to lapse.
Thanks to the efforts of the Catholic committee founded in 1757, and the Catholic
Association founded in 1823, various Catholic Relief Acts repealing the Penal Laws
were passed culminating in the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1929.
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© Paudie McGrath Cork Ireland 2003 -
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