Taobh theas de Cheann Heilbhic, i Rinn Ó gCuanach i nGaeltacht na nDéise tá carraig neamhdhíobhálach suite san uisce, ar a dtugtar Carraig a’ Mhadra.
South of Helvick Head, in Rinn Ó gCuanach in Gaeltacht na nDéise there lies a non-descriptive rock in the water adjacent to the townland of Heilvick, which is known as Carraig a’ Mhadra meaning Dog Rock.
Taobh istigh di tá pluais san aill agus tugtar Séipéal Charraig a’ Mhadra ar an áit san, i mbéaloideas an cheantair. Is ann a bhíodh sagart i bhfolach aimsir na bPeindlithe in Éirinn san ochtó aois déag nuair a bhí géarleanúint ar Chaitlicigh. Tá tagairtí – logainmneacha anois – do na sagairt a bheith ag maireachtaint ar na h-aillte i ngan fhios d’údaráis na linne.
South of Helvick Head, in Rinn Ó gCuanach in Gaeltacht na nDéise there lies a non-descriptive rock in the water adjacent to the townland of Heilvick, which is known as Carraig a’ Mhadra meaning Dog Rock. Inside this rock on the cliff face, there is a cave known as Séipéal Charraig a’ Mhadra – The Church at Dog Rock – according to local folklore. It is here that a priest lay in hiding during the Penal Laws in Ireland in the 18th century when the Catholic population was persecuted. There are a number of references – now placenames – to priests residing on the cliffs in this area, unbeknown to the authorities of the time.
Deineadh an bhéarsa seo thíos, a thagraíonn do Shéipéal Charraig a’ Mhadra, a thaifeadadh sa Rinn thimpeall 1954:
Carraig a’ Mhadra in ama na bpianta
‘Sea an suaitheadh thíos a bhailíodh
Snaidhmeanna de dhaoinibh,
Ón sagart bocht críonadh
Bhíodh an tAifreann ‘is an Cróiníneach acu
Is beannú na ndaoinibh,
Bhí an creideamh chomh daingean acu
Mar trá ‘is filleadh na taoide.
The following verse was recorded in An Rinn in 1954 that refers to the Church at Dog Rock:
Dog Rock in the times of our sufferings
Where below the crowds would gather
Threads of people
From the poor old priest.
They had Mass and the Rosary
And the blessing of the people
Their faith was as strong
As the ebb and flow of the tide.
