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During the time of the Penal laws, Catholics of the Finn,
like those all over the country, were forbidden to build churches
or to attend Mass. There was a bounty of £5 on a priest's
head. But Mass was celebrated,secretly, at Mass Rock's, such
as those at Lisnamulligan and Lismulladuff etc.
In Castlefin village, Mass was celebrated at a rock near
'The Piper's Bush' - which is said to be near where Tinney's
Public House stands today.
The Piper gathered the congregation, by playing his pipes, if
a priest were available. If strangers, or enemies, were around,
the Piper played and the young people danced. He also acted
as look-out for approaching Red Coats, playing a pre-arranged
tune to alert both priest and people. Mass was also said under
the arches of the bridge. When the Piper died, it was said,
that his pipes could still be heard in time of danger.
Tradition tell us of the work done in the area by Father
Cornelious Mongen - also called Friar Mongen. He
was said to have been ordained by Oliver Plunkett
and appointed Parish Priest of Urney and
Termonmungen. He travelled the countryside
for many years, tending the people and keeping the Faith alive.
Father Mongen had a scout called 'Supple Matha'- Mathew Gallen.
On one occasion the Priest was saying Mass, near Killygordon,
when a troup of Red-coat appeared nearby. Matha rushed up
the hill, out-racing the troupers, and alerted Priest and
people. They all got away safely, but Matha collapsed and
died. Father Mongen died in 1725 and is buried at Killeter.
In those days of priest hunting, two priests are said to have
been killed near Urney -one, a Franciscan, Father MacAbaird,
the other a Father Gallagher. In 1789, permission was granted
for the building of a small Chapel at Crossroads.
A Dr. McDevitt of Fahan, founded a little seminary with twelve
students, near Clady, at the end of the eighteenth century.
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