Historic Building Details

HB Ref No:
HB16/10/028

Address :
Craig-na-Altair Mass Rock Road Ballyholland Upper Newry Co Down

Townland:
Ballyholland Upper

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Survey 2:
Record Only

Date of Listing:

Date of De-listing:

Current Use:
Mass Rock

Former Use
Mass Rock

Conservation Area:
No

Industrial Archaeology:
No

Vernacular:
No

Thatched:
No

Monument:
Yes

Derelict:
No

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OS Map No:
266/12

IG Ref:
J1109 2508

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Owner Category

Church - RC

Exterior Description And Setting

Large roughly rectangular mass rock set into a rocky outcrop on S side of Mass Rock Lane. Its enclosure is laid out like a church, with enclosed nave and three curvilinear rubble granite steps rising up to a level apse-like area. All grassed and enclosed to rear by the rocky outcrop. The rock is raised on a cement-pointed granite rubble plinth and is of roughly dressed granite with a Celtic cross engraved on its front face and a small circular Maltese cross engraving to each corner of its top. To either side, resting on the rocky outcrop, are single piece dressed granite Holy Water fonts with round headed niches and chamfered bases; each has an ‘1954’ inscription. To right of the mass rock is a modern polished granite plaque stating “ERECTED IN MARIAN YEAR 1988/ AND BLESSED BY/ MOST REV. F. G. BROOKS/ BISHOP OF DROMORE/ 19TH OF JUNE 1988”. Standing to rear left of the mass rock, on the top of the rocky outcrop is a granite cross. Its E face is inscribed “CR 2113/ nah 2n OR21/ leizead aifreann Annseo/ nuair biod luas Ar ceann/ 3AC SA3 AIR ineirinn” and its base reads “E R. I.N.F Ballyholland Sept 8 1918”. The site is bounded by a mesh wire fence with modern wrought iron gate. It has impressive views of the locality and has been landscaped as a tourist viewpoint with a small car park opposite.

Architects

Not Known

Historical Information

In use from mid 1700s. but not explicitly cited on 1834 OS 6” map. Primary Sources: 1. PRONI OS map, 1st edition (1834), Co Down sheet 51. Secondary Sources: 1. Rev. E Campbell, ‘Dromore Diocese: its Mass Stations in Penal Days’. Article in Newry Telegraph, December 1947.

Criteria for Listing

Architectural Interest

Not listed

Historic Interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Of local interest and one of few known mass rocks in the Mourne Area.

General Comments

Date of Survey

16 August 1999