Mass path

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 the British Isles, and the Netherlands, where in the latter place such a path is called a kerkenpad (lit. 'church path').

Ranaghan Westmeath mass path stile
Diagram of a Ranaghan mass path stile's construction

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

Notes
  1. "Derrynane Mass Path, Caherdaniel". GoKerry.ie. Archived from the original on 13 November 2016. Retrieved 13 November 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. Coillte trail including mass path; accessed 2010 Archived 29 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
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