Butte in Silver Bow County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Mass Rock
⎯⎯⎯
Carraig an Aifrinn

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 6, 2024

1. Mass Rock / Carraig an Aifrinn Marker

Inscription. Mass RockWith their faith proscribed, their churches closed, and their clergy pursued by priest hunters, the Irish in the Penal Times gathered around the Mass Rock to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and to affirm their loyalty to their faith and culture. The Mass Rock stands as a perpetual reminder of those dark days and of the unyielding spirit of the Irish. So stay awhile and say a prayer for all those lying in this graveyard and for their descendants living here in Butte, back home in Ireland and throughout the world. For the Glory of God and the Honour of Ireland

Carraig an AifrinnAgus a gcreideamh coiscithe, a séipéal dúnta, agus a gcléir ar a dteitheadh ó lucht seilge sagart, bhailigh na Gaeil timpeall ar an gCarraig Aifrinn in Aimsir na bPéindlithe d’fhonn Naomh-Íobairt an Aifrinn a cheiliúradh agus a ndílseacht dá gcreideamh is da gcultúr a fhógairt. Seasann an Charraig Aifrinn mar bhuanchuimhne ar na laethanta dorcha ud is ar spioraid dochloíte na nGael. Fan tamall, más ea, agus abair paidir leo siúd uile fén bhfód seo so sínte agus ar a bhfuil beo dá sliocht abhus i mButte, ag baile in Éirinn agus ar fuaid

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

an domhain bhraonaigh. Dóchum Glóire Dé agus Onóra na hÉireann

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures.

Location. 45° 59.148′ N, 112° 32.55′ W. Marker is in Butte, Montana, in Silver Bow County. It can be reached from South Montana Street just south of Hobson Avenue, on the right when traveling south. The marker is on the north side of Saint Patrick Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2725 South Montana Street, Butte MT 59701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically outhwest Montana, in Gold West Country, in Mining Country. It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 6, 2024

2. Mass Rock

the crow flies: Spanish-American War Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Robert Emmet Literary Association (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Milwaukee Depot (approx. one mile away); St. Joseph's Catholic Church (approx. 1.4 miles away); 9-11-01 All Gave Some, Some Gave All (approx. 1½ miles away); Socialist Hall (approx. 1½ miles away); Northern Pacific Locomotive 25 (approx. 1½ miles away); Town Pump Trail (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Butte.

Also see . . . Mass Rock (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: A Mass rock (Irish: Carraig an Aifrinn) was a rock used as an altar by the Catholic Church in Ireland, during the 17th and 18th centuries, as a location for secret and illegal gatherings of faithful attending the Mass offered by outlawed priests. Similar altars, known as Mass stones, were used by the Catholic Church in Scotland, membership in which was similarly criminalized by the Scottish Reformation Parliament in 1560.
During the religious persecution of the Catholic Church in Ireland, isolated locations were sought to hold religious ceremonies, as observing
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 6, 2024

3. In front of the Mass Rock
Ó Láthair Charraig an Aifrinn i gCorcaigh
Ó Láthair Charraig an Aifrinn i nArd Mhacha
“Dá mbeadh caint ag na cloche”
• • •
From the Rock of the Mass in Cork
From the Rock of the Mass in Armagh
“If the stones could talk”
the Catholic Mass was a matter of difficulty and danger at the time as a result of the Reformation in Ireland, Cromwell's campaign against the Irish, and the Penal Laws of 1695. Bishops were banished and priests had to register to preach under the Registration Act 1704. Priest hunters were also sometimes employed to arrest Catholic priests and nonjuring vicars of the Scottish Episcopal Church.

(Submitted on August 20, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 6, 2024

4. Mass Rock / Carraig an Aifrinn Marker

Looking north from the north end of Saint Patrick Cemetery. Mount Moriah Cemetery is in the background. The marker is beside the bench on the left and the Mass Rock is on the right.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 19, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 20, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Mass Rock⎯⎯⎯Carraig an Aifrinn

Mass Rock
⎯⎯⎯
Carraig an Aifrinn