Quire

Mass path

From Quire, the open reference·Rural track·1 min read
Ranaghan Westmeath mass path stile
Ranaghan Westmeath mass path stile Image: source and license
Diagram of a Ranaghan mass path stile's construction
Diagram of a Ranaghan mass path stile's construction Image: source and license

A mass path is a pedestrian track or road connecting destinations frequently used by rural communities, traditionally leading to a church celebrating Sunday Mass. They were most common during the centuries that preceded motorised transportation in Western Europe, and in particular Great Britain, Ireland, and the Netherlands where such a path is called a kerkenpad (lit. 'church path').

Mass paths typically included stretches crossing the fields of neighbouring farmers, and were likely to contain stiles when crossing fences or other boundaries and plank bridges to cross ditches.

Some mass paths are still used today in the Republic of Ireland,[1] but are usually subject to Ireland's complicated rights of way law.[2]

See also#edit

Notes#edit

  1. ^ "Derrynane Mass Path, Caherdaniel". GoKerry.ie. Archived from the original on 13 November 2016. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  2. ^ Coillte trail including mass path; accessed 2010 Archived 29 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
Categories Ireland stubsFootpathsCatholic Church in IrelandSocial history of IrelandHistory of transport in IrelandHistorical geography of Ireland

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