This unassuming monument represents a significant chapter in Irish Catholic history; a Penal Mass station where local communities gathered to worship in secret during the 18th century. During the Penal Laws era, when Catholic religious practice was severely restricted, these outdoor altars became essential gathering points for communities determined to maintain their faith despite the risk of persecution.

The site consists of a stone altar, likely constructed from local materials, with a well located approximately 45 metres to the north, known as Altar Well. This proximity was no coincidence; holy wells have long held spiritual significance in Irish tradition, and their association with Mass rocks and Penal altars was common throughout the country. The well would have served both practical and ritual purposes, providing water for the celebration of Mass and potentially for baptisms and other sacraments that could not be performed in proper churches.

What makes the Pollans altar particularly notable is its consistent documentation across all editions of the Ordnance Survey 6-inch maps, suggesting its enduring importance to the local community long after Catholic emancipation in 1829. Unlike many Penal sites that fell into obscurity or were deliberately forgotten, this location maintained its place in local memory and official records. Today, it stands as a tangible reminder of a time when religious expression required both courage and creativity, offering visitors a chance to connect with an often overlooked period of Irish history.