Let’s revive Pattern Days before we lose them forever!
During Pattern Day celebrations, people often attend Mass or other religious services, and then participate in community gatherings, parades, markets, and other social events. It is an occasion for local communities to come together, celebrate their shared heritage, and engage in festivities.
Historical Beginnings
The historical beginnings of Pattern Day in Ireland can be traced back to early Christian times. When Christianity spread to Ireland, it often adopted and incorporated existing pagan traditions and practices. This made the transition smoother for the local population. Many of the Irish people had deep-rooted connections to their ancestral beliefs. By integrating these elements into Christian celebrations, the new faith was more readily embraced.
Pattern Days are closely associated with the veneration of saints who played significant roles in spreading Christianity in Ireland. As the Christian faith took hold in various regions, specific saints were designated as patrons of particular towns or areas. These saints were believed to intercede on behalf of their devotees, providing protection, blessings, and favour to those who honoured them.
Evolution into Pattern Days
Over time, the feast days of these patron saints evolved into Pattern Days, which became major annual events in the respective communities. The celebration typically included religious observances such as Mass, prayers, and pilgrimages to local shrines or holy sites associated with the saint.
Alongside the religious activities, the festivities also featured various social and cultural elements, such as fairs, markets, games, music, dancing, and communal gatherings. Pattern Days played an essential role in maintaining and reinforcing local identities and traditions, fostering a strong sense of community, and preserving elements of Ireland’s cultural heritage.
Even as Ireland transitioned into a more modern and secular society, many of these traditional celebrations have been kept alive and continue to be celebrated to this day, albeit sometimes with modern adaptations.
Examples of Recognised Patron Saints
St. Patrick: He is the patron saint of Ireland and is associated with many places throughout the country, including the city of Dublin.
And there is St. Brigid: She is one of Ireland’s patron saints and is associated with the town of Kildare.
St. Columba (Colmcille): He is the patron saint of County Donegal and is associated with Derry (Londonderry) and Durrow in County Offaly.
Don’t forget St. Kevin: He is associated with Glendalough in County Wicklow.
St. Canice (Kenneth): He is the patron saint of the city of Kilkenny and is associated with Kilkenny’s St. Canice’s Cathedral.
Of course, St. Oliver Plunkett: He is the patron saint of peace and reconciliation, and he is associated with various places in Ireland, including County Louth.
St. Declan: He is the patron saint of County Waterford and is associated with Ardmore.
Also, St. Enda (Éanna): He is associated with the Aran Islands, particularly Inishmore (Inis Mór).
St. Ita (Íte): She is associated with Killeedy in County Limerick.
As well as St. Finbarr: He is the patron saint of Cork and is associated with Cork City and the Cathedral of St. Fin Barre.
St. Mochta: He is associated with Louth and is often linked to the village of Louth.
The Genesis of Pattern Days: A Confluence of Belief and Heritage
During the period spanning the 1540s to the 1690s, a time of Reformation, Roman Catholic churches in Ireland were under pressure. By the year 1700, only a handful of churches remained under Catholic jurisdiction, and public religious ceremonies all but waned.
Nonetheless, the Irish community discovered alternative avenues to commemorate the feast days of their patron saints. Numerous acts of devotion unfolded at holy wells, renowned for their purported healing properties, or amid the ruins of former ecclesiastical structures.


Clonmacnoise
The Journey and Customs of Pattern Days
In the absence of centralised religious venues, holy wells emerged as focal points for the observance of Pattern Days. Pilgrimages to these sites, including destinations like Croagh Patrick or St. Patrick’s Purgatory, often bore a penitential purpose, prescribed by priests as acts of contrition.
Participants would embark on “rounds,” circling the wells a designated number of times, while reciting a rosary during each circumnavigation. This is a ritual reminiscent of the ancient Celtic practice known as “deiseal.” Additionally, attendees partook in various rituals termed “stations,”. This involved visits to locations like modest oratories, the tomb of the saint, or Celtic crosses, adhering to established sequences.
Concluding the religious rituals, participants engaged in merriments, encompassing games, songs, dances, and equestrian competitions. Some instances of Pattern Days even extended over several days, drawing crowds from neighbouring towns.
Ebb and Resurgence: A Transforming Facet
Pattern Days held a significant role in the tapestry of rural Irish heritage until the reforms introduced by Cardinal Paul Cullen in the 1850s. The clergy initiated opposition against the excesses of these widespread festivals, denouncing brawls, inebriation, and moral transgressions.
Additionally, they challenged the belief in the mystical attributes of wells and other sanctified sites. The counterforce gathered momentum in the late eighteenth century when bishops issued decrees prohibiting participation in such celebrations.


Croagh Patrick path
Resurgence
Nevertheless, Pattern Days experienced a renaissance in the early 1900s, marking a rekindling of these cherished customs. While numerous parishes once observed patron saints’ days, only a handful endure in contemporary times. The resurgence of Pattern Days often manifests in the guise of local summer galas, melding religious observances with secular pursuits such as music and dance.
Across the expanse of Ireland, diverse communities unfold their distinct Pattern Days, each infused with a local essence and traditions uniquely its own. Among the array of celebrated events, several stand out.
Distinct Pattern Days:
Ardmore in County Waterford: The eve and feast of Declán of Ardmore marks an occasion deeply cherished by Ardmore’s inhabitants. The threads of devotion to St. Declán are intricately woven into the town’s history. There are documented mentions dating back to the year 1611.
Ballyheigue in County Kerry: On the feast of the Nativity of Mary, Ballyheigue’s Pattern Day unfurls as a vibrant tapestry of communal camaraderie.
Brideswell Pattern Festival in County Roscommon: Garland Sunday, the Sunday preceding Lughnasadh, brings to life this distinctive celebration, blending faith and the ancient Gaelic heritage in a harmonious convergence.
Clonmacnoise in County Offaly: The commemoration of St. Ciaran’s Day (September 9) casts a spotlight on Clonmacnoise’s Pattern Day, a rich tapestry woven with historical significance and reverence for its patron saint.
Tuosist in County Kerry: The feast of Saint Killian paints the canvas of Tuosist’s Pattern Day, an immersive exploration into the spiritual legacy engrained within the region’s fabric.
Kilmovee in County Mayo: The Pattern of Urlaur takes centre stage on the feast of Saint Dominic.
Ballylanders in County Limerick: On the feast of the Assumption of Mary, Ballylanders’ Pattern Day stands as a steadfast guardian of treasured customs.
Inishmore, Aran Islands: Patrún Naomh Éanna, unfolding during the final weekend of June, weaves ancient devotion with the awe-inspiring panorama of the surroundings.


Rules of the Reek
The Exuberant Merriment
Pattern Days often assumed unconventional forms of devotion, accompanied by boisterous amusements. The clergy endeavoured to maintain order, issuing proclamations and mandates to curtail the rowdy comportment. Nevertheless, local elites largely turned a blind eye, recognising that Pattern Days, at their core, epitomised innocuous expressions of indigenous practices.
Amid Pattern Days, participants engaged in dancing, singing, storytelling, and assorted festivities. But life was against their existence. Attempts by the clergy to stop them, followed by the Famine of the mid-19th century, dealt a grievous blow. This further eroded the prominence of Pattern Days.
The Gradual Decline of Time- Honoured Customs
As Irish society traversed the transformative landscape of the Victorian era, it encountered its own set of modifications. The pursuit of “respectability” and the sway of Victorian puritanism fostered the prohibition of age-old customs deemed offensive.
Many Catholics began adopting the norms of decorum propagated by their Protestant counterparts. This contributed to the gradual erosion of rural traditions. The legacy of Pattern Days encountered additional challenges as succeeding generations distanced themselves from what they perceived as archaic ways.
Few survived the Famine and continued to dwell in Ireland. Still, the aspiration to break free from the past became pronounced. Emigrants spanning the globe likewise endeavoured to disentangle from traditional customs as they embraced new existences abroad.


St Chaomhán Inisheer
Embracing Our Heritage: A Rekindling of Interest
Amid Ireland’s resurgence of enthusiasm for all things Irish, buoyed by the confidence of the Celtic Tiger economic upswing, a renaissance of historical pride and cultural legacy surfaced. Time-honoured celebrations like the Puck Fair and the MatchMaker Festival in Lisdoonvarna flourished, perpetuating the essence of age-old traditions.
The revival of Pattern Days may seem improbable. Yet this newfound reverence for Irish history presents an opportunity to conserve and honour the legacy of our ancestors.
Case Study: St. Declan’s Pattern
Nestled within the serene confines of Ardmore, County Waterford, lies a captivating piece of Irish cultural heritage — St. Declan’s Pattern. Earliest records of Ardmore’s Pattern trace back to 1611 when permission was granted for a fair on St. Declan’s Eve or Day.
The rituals around St. Declan’s Stone and Oratory included the rounds at the Holy Well, a testament to the enduring influence of water symbolism in Christian belief. Though the prominence of St. Declan’s Pattern has dimmed over time, local commemorations on “Pattern Sunday,” the Sunday closest to July 24th, sustain its spirit.


St Patricks Oratory on Croagh Patrick
Preserving Tradition: Ballyheigue’s Enduring Pattern Day
Ballyheigue, a scenic corner of County Kerry, proudly upholds a cherished tradition — Pattern Day. This celebration gathers a throng of devotees to honour the nativity of Mary and engage in a centuriesold practice. In a landscape where many parish traditions have faded, Ballyheigue’s Pattern Day stands resilient.
Such Patterns often fuse pre-Christian customs with Christian rites over time. The rituals at Our Lady’s Well, exemplifying ancient Celtic deiseal rituals, involve circumambulating the well thrice while reciting a rosary during each round. This age-old act, imbued with perceived healing energies, adds an air of mystery to the festivities. While devotion remains paramount, the post-Mass atmosphere transforms into leisure.
Hawkers enliven streets and seafronts, enhancing the festive air. Horse races and hurling contests graced earlier celebrations, complemented by “aeríocht,” a festival of music and song. Today’s entertainment is less formal, centering on strolling through Ballyheigue’s lanes and conversing with companions.
Beyond its secular guise, the spirit of communal festivity lingers, hallowed by history. It threads a connection between the living and ancestral predecessors. Pattern Day embodies homage to heritage, veneration of the holy well, and a recognition of life’s cyclical nature. Amid an ever-changing world, this enduring tradition serves as a beacon of continuity. It reignites the souls of all who partake in its enchantment.


A holy well
Clonmacnoise’s Revered Pattern Day
Founded in 545 by St. Ciarán, this site stands as a symbol of medieval devotion. The annual Pattern Day celebrations illuminate this unbroken pilgrimage tradition that dates back to the 6th/7th century. St. Ciarán’s Pattern Day unfolds with unique charm. Pilgrims disperse across Clonmacnoise, mingling with the gravestones and ruins. The stations, scattered throughout the site, encompass significant spots and evoke a litany of saints.
Croagh Patrick Pattern Day: A Sacred Ascent
On “Reek Sunday,” thousands gather to ascend Croagh Patrick in County Mayo, Ireland. This annual pilgrimage, taking place on the last Sunday in July, commemorates Saint Patrick’s fasting and prayer on the mountain’s summit in the 5th century.
The climb, undertaken barefoot or in penitential attire, embodies spiritual dedication and renewal. Prayers, hymns, and reflections accompany the arduous ascent. At the summit, Mass is celebrated, emphasising the spiritual essence of the journey. Personal reflection amidst panoramic views follows while the festive atmosphere upon descent fosters camaraderie.
An Island Adventure with Caomhan’s Pattern Day
Inisheer, Aran Islands, holds Caomhan’s Pattern Day. A vibrant mass at Caomhan’s Church, buried for centuries, encapsulates the island’s devotion. The church’s history comes alive, and St. Caomhan’s grave holds spiritual allure.
In Conclusion
The rich tapestry of patron saints in Ireland intricately weaves together the nation’s history, culture, and faith. From the iconic figure of St. Patrick, who stands as the symbol of Irish identity, to the lesser-known yet equally revered saints like St. Brigid, St. Columba, and many more. Each patron saint brings a unique narrative to the landscape of Ireland.
These saints not only represent spiritual guidance but also embody the collective spirit of Irish communities across generations.
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