Seventeenth century Irish Mass rock found in Galway

The Cromwellian invasion of Ireland (1649–53) resulted in the conquest of Ireland by the forces of the English Parliament, led by Oliver Cromwell. The Parliamentarian reconquest of Ireland was brutal, and Cromwell remains a hated figure in Ireland. Cromwell passed a series of Penal Laws against Roman Catholics, who were the overwhelming majority of the population and confiscated large amounts of their land. Laws regulating the lives of Catholics and penalising the practice of their religion were introduced throughout the 16th and 17th centuries.

Under this repressive English regime Ireland's Catholics were forced to practice their religion in secret.  Large rocks served as altars and were used for the clandestine celebration of Mass in the hours of darkness. Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ), which is the national public service broadcaster of Ireland, has reported on the recent discovery of one of these Mass rocks in Galway (Gaillimh). Believed to date from around 1650, the rock is located at the bottom of a cul de sac in the Crestwood (Barr na Coille) estate in Coolough (Cúil Each) in Galway City. A special ceremony at the rock is planned by residents and will be held later this summer to celebrate its rediscovery and to highlight its historical significance..