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 such a path is called kerkenpad (lit. “church path”).

Ranaghan Westmeath mass path stile
Construction of a Ranaghan mass path stile

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. GoKerry.ie. "Derrynane Mass Path, Caherdaniel - GoKerry". Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  2. Coillte trail including mass path; accessed 2010 Archived 2007-11-29 at the Wayback Machine.
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