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Circles under churches
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FourWinds
FourWinds
10943 posts

Re: Just one thing to add ...
Aug 19, 2005, 08:02
Actually, here's a second (but related) thing.

In England the Catholics took to having their services in people's houses when they were outlawed. During Penal times in Ireland when Catholicism was illegal the people took their services into the wilds and held them in the open air at what are now called Mass Rocks. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of these all over Ireland. They are basically big boulders with crosses carved in them. I know this is a lot later than you were talking about above, but it does demonstrate that worship at rocks was still part of the Xtian psyche here in Ireland. A few stone circles were used during this period too.

When I have time I intend try and take more notice of the mass rocks. Were they in what could be significant ancient locations or were they just rocks chosen for thier remoteness? There's probably a doctorate in that question for someone!

Just like holy wells most of the bullaun stones, even the ones not associated with early Xtian sites, are said to cure things.
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